A couple have been left with a hefty bill after their toddler daughter scratched pictures into the paintwork of 10 brand-new Audi cars in one go while visiting a posh car dealership.

The shocked parents later discovered that their tot had taken a stone and drawn into the paint of 10 new cars, including an Audi Q8 valued at nearly AU$41,000 during the visit on 24 November.

The Chinese couple had accompanied a friend to the dealership - bringing their three-year-old along for the ride.

According to Lingui People’s Court, the dealership sued the father - known as Mr Zhao - for an initial sum of 200,000 RMB (AU$41,000), saying the figure was an estimate and could increase based on further evaluation of the damage done.

The business argued that the vehicles could not be sold as new cars once they had repainted them.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

If they did so, they could be sued for false advertising and be made to compensate three times the purchase price if found guilty of the offence.

The cars could therefore only be sold as used vehicles at significant markdowns, the dealership explained.

The court said in a statement on December 3 that Zhao had rejected the 200,000 RMB demand but in the end reached a settlement of 70,000 RMB (AU$14,000).