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Hi there! This is the second time in a row our local dealer has damaged my car, after it was brought in for servicing. I noticed the damage about 5 minutes after I had left the lot, when I went to put gas in. I immediately called the Service Rep and send him pics. The time before the side was scraped up, this time it's the rear. My questions are--what would you do? If the dealer fixes my car, is there still a loss of value? And also, how common is this? Thank you.
no problem. if they own up to it the body shop will fix the bumper and it will look like new. this one will not buff out so repaint/ blend will be required. mb body shops are generally good.
just keep shown pictures to show future potential buyers the extent of the damage if anything pops up on carfax/ autocheck
I would get an estimate at a high end bodyshop, which will include the specific work needs to be done to make it perfect again, and then make sure what the dealer does at least matches this if not exceeds. There are plenty of ways to cut corners that would leave you with diminished value.
To me your pictures look like a $5000 repair including a new bumper and a new parking sensor and on and on.
They are liable, so you can choose to get this fixed at your favorite repair shop if you wish. Letting them do the fix themselves, if they have a body shop, is a favor you are doing for them, as they will save money. I think you should think of it this way.
I would also expect them to write off the cost of the repairs you had done when your truck was in for service, to compensate you for your time, and to provide you with a loaner GL, not a crappy entry level sedan, for the duration of the repair.
And I think you have seen that you should NEVER leave the dealer without doing a full walk around of your truck...
It will be interesting to see if we hear about the bill from the OP...
The difference between $1,200 and $5,000 or more is a great example of why I would take it to a really good shop and to see what they would do to fix it like new.
The dealer's incentive is to minimize the cost of the repair. An independent third party's incentive is to make it like new, within the envelope of what an insurance company will authorize...
It will be interesting to see if we hear about the bill from the OP...
The difference between $1,200 and $5,000 or more is a great example of why I would take it to a really good shop and to see what they would do to fix it like new.
The dealer's incentive is to minimize the cost of the repair. An independent third party's incentive is to make it like new, within the envelope of what an insurance company will authorize...
The insurance company will allow about $1200 for this
+2 no way that is even close to $5000. Unless you take it to a crook who just wants to screw people out of their money. Just curious what type of dealer you took it to? My dealer here in Atlanta always does a walk around when I bring it in and one when I pick it up. Only takes about two minutes to have piece of mind on both ends.
Some years back I needed the back bumper of an Audi A6 repaired. Brought to a repair shop where you often see BMWs. You see Ferraris their too so it's not Macco. The repair was under $1000. Given inflation, I can see this being a $1200 job. $5,000? That would be remarkable. And unlikely. I also don't view bumper repair as having any negative hit on value.
If the dealer damaged my car- give me a loaner while it's being fixed, fix it properly, and I'm done.
12-06-2016, 04:55 PM
