Council grass cutting damaged my car

[Sammo123]

This is exactly what happened to my car last week. I walk to work so it's parked outside my house with a green area in the middle. Popped home for lunch and noticed the council had cut the grass verges etc down the road. Had some lunch and then went over to my car to drive back to work and noticed a bloody great chip in the N/S/F door amongst the grass trimmings. I filled out an online form on the councils website but so far haven't heard anything back. I'll call them tomorrow when I'm on lunch and see what they have to say!

[mr alan]

lord trumpton said:

Don't go with a smart repair on that colour!

Really ? Don't you think they can match it. They seem to think they can and guarantee it, however would be interested to know if you know otherwise ?

[lord trumpton]

Depending on where the repair is required in relation to adjacent panels they will either have to blend into another panel or if theres room then then can fade out the silver and lacquer out. The problem with high flake silver like yours is that there is a good chance of a 'shadow' where they try to fade out.

It's do able but with smart repairs it's really hit and miss.

I suspect the £1000 quote is to repaint the damaged panel and fade into an adjacent panel - the correct way.

If my car had been damaged I'd want it done properly and right first time.

[mr alan]

I would agree. But in all honesty I can't see the council paying the £1000 that has been quoted more likely the £400 out at best. Worst case is the chipsaway last option.

[Blue Oval84]

Painting a large area and blending in panels out in the open air wouldn't be my first choice. If it's a genuine lifetime warranty though then I suppose you can't use.

Personally though, a bodyshop with a proper spray booth would still be my first and only port of call.

[KTF]

I doubt a smart guy would blow it down the other panels. They are spot repairers.

If the car was bought used, it may well have been passed via a smart guy as part of the prep anyway.

[mr alan]

Chips away said he would spray it to a swage line on the wing and then lacquer with a soft edge guarantees you won't see it

[Second Best]

Granted I'm a little late to the party, but last year I left my car with my parents, who live in the Merton Council area, and a council worker cutting the grass outside my parents' house managed to send a stone flying into my rear pax window, shattering it.

I was away at the time and got a broken phone call from my mum explaining the situation. I rang Merton and told them what had happened, they just sent me a form to fill in. We had CCTV footage (from the chap across the street) but it was never asked for. I simply called AutoGlass and asked them to quote for the repair and send the bill straight to the council. I didn't get to see a proper copy but from being nosy I saw a bill of over £500. For a single rear window I thought it was a bit much, but I'm not exactly surprised at automotive companies chancing their arm.

The council will pay up for a reasonable repair, in the OP's situation I would go with Chips Away if they ever respond (the guys in Surrey never bother, they've lost quite a few jobs now!). Unless you can convince the OEM to talk directly to the council and agree a price, then you may be having to get involved unnecessarily.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Second Best said:

The council will pay up for a reasonable repair,

No, they might pay up. They are under no legal obligation to do so, as a stone flying up when mowing the verge isn't negligence. But as you are ultimately one of their customers, they may pay as a goodwill gesture.

[Alex_225]

mr alan said:

I can't quite believe that they will pay for the damage that they have clearly caused without a fight.

I'm with you on that OP, I'm shocked they didn't argue the case but I'm glad for your sake they used common sense and logic to work out and admit what had happened.

[mr alan]

The council have come back and as suspected have gone for the chips away option. Shame they couldn't stretch to the body shop but I do understand why given the pressure the councils are under. Frankly I'm surprised they have actually coughed up at all. I will take that as a positive result in the circumstances.

[Alias218]

As an FYI, my gf had a smart repair done on her N/S/R arch on a metallic black (don't know the name or code - Vauxhall) and it was pretty good. No orange peel, blend was good, generally very good for £200 or so. Even looking for obvious signs of a touch up I couldn't see anything, so no prospective buyer will either I imagine.

[mr alan]

All done and looking good again, can't tell at all. Well I can't anyway, I'm sure an expert could.

[kayzee]

Unfortunately the pictures don't load for me but well done on getting something out the council!

I got an entire car resprayed a few years back, and a week or so later I was at a car meet on a cold evening, and their gritter was out. It sprayed grit all over my car (mostly bonnet) and basically needed another respray! Trying suing the council but after months of backwards and forwards palming me off to different departments they finally said they aren't paying a penny