MG4 2023 driver seat material degradation cracks

[Bishibashi]

I just noticed these cracks in the faux leather of the driver's seat. I've owned the car from new so it's nearly 3 years old. It's an MG4 long range.

Shouldn't be seeing this kind of thing for many many more years so this is a bit of a surprise.

The dealership says it's not covered under warranty and the whole chair would need to be replaced if we want it fixed.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and durable. A driver’s seat failing in such a way after only three years of normal use does not meet these standards so I may decide to put the energy in to escalate until eventually I get to the Motor Ombudsman or Trading Standards if MG refuse to fix it for me.

Has anyone here seen this before or have any advice before I go in all guns blazing

 

[siteguru]

The seats are only covered for the first year in MG's warranty (as I recall). And you're not the first here to experience this issue.

I think others have resorted to fitting seat covers.

 

[MG Clive]

That's not a nice sight mate, first of all, I don't believe MG can't supply just a replacement seat cover for the MG4, second of all, it wouldn't need a new seat, you could have it retrimmed for much less cost, third of all, a used seat could also be an option.

 

[dave99]

yep, here is mine in June. I spoke to my dealer about it and they just repeated its not covered under warranty and gave me a phone number for MG "Customer Care". Its absolutely not fit for purpose, not even done 25k miles. I've seen somebody, possibly on facebook can't remember, who got a replacement seat cover from MG so the part must be available, don't think it was trivial to fit though.

 

[Lovemyev]

There has been very similar issues with the front seats on the ZS EV Gen2 Trophy model.
This has been covered at length on the ZS EV forum pages.
It’s been a very similar responce from MG CS with regards to complaints, there not interested.
When we sold our 3 year old ZS EV LR it had only covered less than 30,000 miles and the inside of drivers seat bolster, was just starting to display signs of cracking.
Once it’s starts, the decline is pretty quick.
It can’t remember ever seeing seat cover degraded this quickly on cars SO young ?.
Years ago, if I was out viewing a car being advertised with only average mileage and then discovered that the seats where in this condition, then you would instantly question if the recorded milage is correct ?.
You may expect this level wear on a vehicle that had been used as a taxi, but not on a privately owned cars surely !.
Personally, if you intend to keep the car, then I would explore the possibility of having the seat cover replaced by professional car trimmer.
Or maybe try and find a complete seat from a breakers yard ?.

 

[siteguru]

Personally, if you intend to keep the car, then I would explore the possibility of having the seat cover replaced by professional car trimmer.
Or maybe try and find a complete seat from a breakers yard ?.

... or fit seat covers. (I know @Rolfe did this ... not that the SE trim seats will "crack" like that, as they are full cloth rather than part pleather, but it still gives protection).

 

[Lovemyev]

Yeah, the pleather is certainly the issue here.
I agree, that fitting seat covers do offer a lot of protection to the factory material.
However I do feel it’s a really shame that we have to over cover the factory seats just because the factory materials are really not fit for purpose.
Fitting seat covers to privately owned cars stopped being popular a long time ago, when factory seat designs and materials became so good and resistance to wear.
This type of early degradation in seat material quality, is a big step backwards imho.
I wonder how long it will be before MG dealers become fed up, with loosing sales on second hand stock, that are only a couple of years old, because of the poor condition of the front seats ?.

 

[LenEV2016]

I just noticed these cracks in the faux leather of the driver's seat. I've owned the car from new so it's nearly 3 years old. It's an MG4 long range.

Shouldn't be seeing this kind of thing for many many more years so this is a bit of a surprise.

The dealership says it's not covered under warranty and the whole chair would need to be replaced if we want it fixed.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and durable. A driver’s seat failing in such a way after only three years of normal use does not meet these standards so I may decide to put the energy in to escalate until eventually I get to the Motor Ombudsman or Trading Standards if MG refuse to fix it for me.

Has anyone here seen this before or have any advice before I go in all guns blazing

Good luck with that but I wouldn't hold out much hope with either of the ombudsman or trading standards, MGs get out of jail here is their warranty

 

[LenEV2016]

Yeah, the pleather is certainly the issue here.
I agree, that fitting seat covers do offer a lot of protection to the factory material.
However I do feel it’s a really shame that we have to over cover the factory seats just because the factory materials are really not fit for purpose.
Fitting seat covers to privately owned cars stopped being popular a long time ago, when factory seat designs and materials became so good and resistance to wear.
This type of early degradation in seat material quality, is a big step backwards imho.
I wonder how long it will be before MG dealers become fed up, with loosing sales on second hand stock, that are only a couple of years old, because of the poor condition of the front seats ?.

As many have said previous MG have had to save money somewhere.
This has been said in relation to various shortcomings, no rear interior light, poor interior front lights, poor software and the seat quality.

I don't agree but MG cover themselves with the 1 year warranty cover

 

[Rolfe]

The cover on my driver's seat pad wore out after about two years (20,000 miles) but that wasn't uexpected for something fairly cheap from Aliexpress. I contacted the seller and they sent me a replacement piece for £22. The cloth seat underneath was pristine when I removed the old cover.

I don't think the SE seats are in danger of doing what the Trophy seats are doing, but even cloth will wear in the end. Also, although I like the original cloth trim, it's dark in the dark-trimmed car, so it was an opportunity to lighten up the interior a bit.

 

[jamakr4]

Anyone asked the dealer for the cost of replacing the part?