In my pre-owned 2015 R, I just noticed some pretty nasty scratches, verging on gouges/dents. I speculate that some previous owner(s) slammed the door on the seatbelt bracket, yet the belt retracks fully as it should, far from the door opening. Maybe the retract failed at some point? Just curious if anyone else has seen the same thing.

 

Oh wow, I don’t have an issue with my seat belt retracting but I’m normally pretty careful and make sure it’s out of the way after getting out of the car though.

 

One of the curses of buying used - you never know how previous owners have abused the car.

 

I agree that it looks to me like the buckle got caught in the door. I've seen it in other cars and the marks are pretty distinctive. My belts don't retract completely, but enough to not get caught. I suppose if I were careless exiting the car and dragged the belt a little it could get pulled into the door opening.

 

Not normal and something clearly slammed in the door a number of times.

 

Maybe a seat belt of maybe a small mountain lion. I bought mine used and have none of those marks.

 

wow thats alot of damage. Did you not inspect the car at purchase? previous owner obviously treated the car like crap so probably thrashed it the same way. Maybe the first time you could be caught out by seatbelt not retracting but surely you would be more careful the second third of 4th time afterwards. Previous owner obviously did it multiple times. Maybe change all your fluids even if not due and inspect for suspension and engine damage.

 

I dunno. If the driver was errrr...very rotund... the belt would be extended and the buckle hang down that far if it didnt retract, also with the greatest of respect to bigger people, it can be harder for them to get in and out of these cars, my complete speculation is that it was owned by a big unit. The good part being that it doesnt necessarily mean that the car was thrashed, and your driver's side seat should be nice and comfy from the leather stretching.

 

Yep, totally looks like someone slamming the door on the seatbelt buckle. Got one of those on the passenger side after a clumsy passenger slammed the door on the buckle. I've noticed that the belts do retract a bit slowly so this can definitely happen. Somehow it never happened to me on the driver side fortunately.

 

I think that 'vertically challenged' seat occupants are more likely to have the seatbelts retract slowly and get caught (because the seats are farther forward).

 

To me, "vertically challenged" means an inability to stand upright, I much prefer "altitudinally challenged" for those lacking a bit in the height department.

 

OK. Sorry.

I'm follicly challenged...so the thoughts sometimes escape out of the top of my head.

 

You and me both! I thought I had "fly-away hair", and I did - it flew away!