Model 3 damage - Advice

Model 3 damage - Advice

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Discussion

AlexIT

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

139 months

Wednesday 20th March
quotequote all
Well I need a little bit of advice regarding this mishap:



I am trying to find a bodyshop that's approved by Tesla, but in the meantime I'd like to find out what kind of work is potentially involved to put it straight again.

The only bodyshop I visited doesn't work on Tesla, but said something very vague about a full replacement of the part. I don't know how far this can be trusted or how actually such a repair is generally carried out. If I understood correctly that part is aluminium and therefore quite difficult to repair.

Any ideas? I just want to have a little knowledge before accepting any quotation. Thanks!

AlexIT

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

139 months

Wednesday 20th March
quotequote all
lizardbrain said:
I think they will want to replace the whole piece?
You mean from the front wheel to the rear quarter (as this seems to be a single panel)?

AlexIT

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

139 months

Wednesday 20th March
quotequote all
lizardbrain said:
AlexIT said:
You mean from the front wheel to the rear quarter (as this seems to be a single panel)?
Just based on one prang of my own, this is what an official garage will insist on.

Otherwise, you could get a random to try banging it into shape or just forget about it?
Bugger, that's a heck of a repair for a small distraction.
I will see in any case with a bodyshop if that can be pulled out and no... I know my little self and I won't be able to forget it biggrin

AlexIT

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

139 months

Friday 29th March
quotequote all
I was looking for a Tesla approved repair shop, as it seems no-one is keen on working on it. No other reasons actually.

It's now booked in and they will just pull out the dent as someone suggested above, fortunately only the outer part has been damaged and the sill is perfectly (ehmm... well by Tesla's standards biggrin) aligned and straight.

The only problem seems to be sourcing the plastic cover underneath, but as soon as it arrives the car will be going in for the repair.

@Gone Fishing: that was what a body shop told me as well and that was the reason they don't want to work on Teslas, but eventually it seems that those actually working on them take things more easily.

Anyway it's a good reminder to always think when driving, even when just pulling out a parking space: not the best way to celebrate 30 years of license, but lesson learnt driving