J.D Powers survey etc

[Yorkie]

In another thread David condemned all "reviews" of cars as useless. Gary

Not quite Gary!

I wrote:

"I never take any notice of reviews by motoring journalists because they lack objectivity - often the journalist are taken on 'jollies' to exotic places to see new models, and they don't bite the hand that feeds them, or they might not get asked back next time. Also some 'reviews' are nothing more than paid for videos made by the manufacturers to show the features and benefits of their vehicles to best advantage. Basically, marketing their vehicles - advertising dressed up as editorial - in marketing terms, known as 'advertorial'.

The reason I feel the JD Power survey has some value is that it's a statistically significant sample of actual owners who've had their cars from one to three years, and it covers a wide range of aspects about the cars themselves and the dealer back-up. Not perfect by any means, but not based on some motoring journalist whose had the car for an hour or two.

The very worst car I ever owned was a Ford Focus, which at the time was European car of the year. Exhaust failed after 15 months. Big argument that it was 'normal wear and tear so not covered'. I thought they'd replaced the whole exhaust but not - they cut the back box off and welded a new box and tail-pipe on. Year later, the front box had failed. Five new front headlamps due to water ingress, new air-con motor, from suspension chaffed through the brake pie, read wheel bearings failed, fuel gauge sender unit failed (fuel tank had to be removed for replace it).

When I took it to Holland on North Sea Ferries, I'd asked the dealer for headlamp converted. 'No - they don't do them for the Focus'. Huh, 'European car of the Year'? Went online, found a Ford Technical Bulletin giving the dimensions of a DIY Fablon cut-out to stick on the headlamps. Shoved it under the nose of the Dealer's Service Manager.

Wrote the Ford's MD with this litany of faults - predictably, no reply.

At the time, all the motoring journalists were praising the Focus left right and centre.