Drivers are being urged to exercise caution after a customer reported significant damage to their vehicle from an automated car wash at a Tesco superstore.
The Damaging Incident
A Guardian reader detailed their experience in the newspaper's consumer affairs section, revealing that their car's tail spoiler and brake light were ripped off during the wash cycle. The motorist, who regularly used the facility at their local Tesco, was subsequently faced with a repair bill estimated at £750.
According to the complaint, staff at the location allegedly commented on the frequency with which cars sustain damage in the automated wash, suggesting this was not an isolated occurrence.
Tesco's Response and Refusal
Despite the customer's complaint, Tesco has refused to accept liability for the incident. The supermarket giant directed the newspaper to a maintenance report, prepared by the external company it contracts to provide and maintain the car washes, which reportedly found no fault with the machine.
The aggrieved driver stated that Tesco refused to let them see the report, citing "company policy" as the reason. A spokesperson for Tesco told the publication that staff conduct daily checks on wash cycles and asserted that the specific car wash in question was found to be in good working order.
Broader Concerns and Online Reactions
This incident has sparked conversation about the potential risks of automated car washes. On its website, Tesco notes that car wash facilities vary by location and may include hand car wash, rollover car wash, or jet wash services.
The supermarket adds that the small charge for services helps cover the cost of "operating and maintaining our machines to a very high standard."
Echoing the concerns raised by this case, a user on Reddit recently advised another motorist asking about using a car wash, writing: "I’m not sure I’d use one though - heard too many stories about scratches from poorly aligned bits of the machine." This sentiment highlights a wider apprehension among some drivers regarding the safety of automated cleaning systems.
