Advice needed

[wargriff]

My car was hit by a taxi in December. The insurance company agreed to repair and it was booked in for starting in January. Took the car there January 12th and they did the usual walk around video/pictures.
Have been chasing the progress as seems to be taking a long time.
Had a call telling me that the passenger side front suspension spring has snapped. Not related to the accident but while they have been driving it around.
Now they want me to pay £400 to get the front springs replaced.

My question is, should I be paying for the damage done while the car was in the body shops care for 2 months?
I gave them a car without any issues and now it has damage.

Any advice or feedback appreciated.

[sim72]

wargriff said:

My car was hit by a taxi in December. The insurance company agreed to repair and it was booked in for starting in January. Took the car there January 12th and they did the usual walk around video/pictures.
Have been chasing the progress as seems to be taking a long time.
Had a call telling me that the passenger side front suspension spring has snapped. Not related to the accident but while they have been driving it around.
Now they want me to pay £400 to get the front springs replaced.

My question is, should I be paying for the damage done while the car was in the body shops care for 2 months?
I gave them a car without any issues and now it has damage.

Any advice or feedback appreciated.

The obvious question is - why is a body shop driving your car around? It's not (presumably) there for mechanical repairs.

[kiethton]

Was this spring located in the vicinity of the damage? Will this part of the suspension have to be de-assembled?

If it was at the site of the damage I’d be pushing back but springs do break, regularly. If the suspension is otherwise de-assembled I’d be supplying a part for them to fit while all apart (part cost only), if not being touched I’d ask them to not do anything and arrange for it to be done (at a lower cost if anything “normal”) when the car is returned.

[wargriff]

Car had rear damage only.
Apparently they were moving the car before a road test.

[kiethton]

I'd call up your usual garage to get a quote for springs (both sides on the axle will need doing) - can take a view on whether £400 is reasonable then. If it is, get the current place to do it, if not take it back and get it done.

Although it's in their possession a pre-existing fault like that is not their responsibility

[texaxile]

kiethton said:

I'd call up your usual garage to get a quote for springs (both sides on the axle will need doing) - can take a view on whether £400 is reasonable then. If it is, get the current place to do it, if not take it back and get it done.

Although it's in their possession a pre-existing fault like that is not their responsibility

^^^^^^ Best option.

Without knowing the car, whether or not they will supply genuine or pattern springs and a breakdown of costs, so getting another approximate quote certainly won't do any harm.They'll need doing either way.

Did they admit to breaking the spring while in their possession, or did they notice the spring was busted once they got in to road test it?. Might have a bearing on things. Are you 100% certain the spring wasn't broken when you gave them the car?.

Edited by texaxile on Monday 8th March 22:07

[wargriff]

Yes I’m absolutely certain it was not broken. I drove car there and they took pics/ video of vehicle condition.

Now nearly 2 months later it’s broken.

[BertBert]

wargriff said:

Yes I’m absolutely certain it was not broken. I drove car there and they took pics/ video of vehicle condition.

Now nearly 2 months later it’s broken.

Two months before anything breaks it wasn't broken.