Car damaged by garage during MOT
Discussion
Had a car MOT test done the other day and the garage washed it with a pressure washer. This has lifted a few square inches of clear coat off the bonnet as the paint had a few small cracks caused, I think, by heat cycling from the position of the turbo.
I’d like a repair, and the garage have a body shop and have said they will quote to do this, but just wanted thoughts on what a reasonable resolution would look like.
They have said that the damage has been caused because the paint had pre-existing damage, which is true, but I didn’t ask them to wash it, which has made the damage much worse. A full respray will result in betterment as it’ll cover other scratches and chips, but it’s not really possible to just repair the damage they have caused. Would a split of cost be reasonable? What sort of split?
Currently waiting for them to get back to me, but from their initial conversation they are expecting me to foot the full bill.
Any thoughts welcome!
I’d like a repair, and the garage have a body shop and have said they will quote to do this, but just wanted thoughts on what a reasonable resolution would look like.
They have said that the damage has been caused because the paint had pre-existing damage, which is true, but I didn’t ask them to wash it, which has made the damage much worse. A full respray will result in betterment as it’ll cover other scratches and chips, but it’s not really possible to just repair the damage they have caused. Would a split of cost be reasonable? What sort of split?
Currently waiting for them to get back to me, but from their initial conversation they are expecting me to foot the full bill.
Any thoughts welcome!
A500leroy said:
Why were they washing it for an mot?
if no damage is done many customers would look positively on the service, most main dealers do a mini valet every time a car leaves their workshop.OP
I guess its up to you, the reality is it wasn't a service you asked for so I'd be expecting full payment and a courtesy vehicle but then i'd not be hugely picky on quality of the finish given it wasn't perfect to start with.
Tommo87 said:
A split of cost would be a reasonable outcome, as you would get a totally unblemished bonnet.
You could go full on angry and demand they pay the entire fee, but you risk them just being equally as inflexible.
Agreed. Don’t want to be a dick about it. Think they might just say no. How much does a bonnet respray usually cost and what do you think a reasonable split would be? They don’t seem keen on accepting any liability from initial conversations. You could go full on angry and demand they pay the entire fee, but you risk them just being equally as inflexible.
Tommo87 said:
A split of cost would be a reasonable outcome, as you would get a totally unblemished bonnet.
You could go full on angry and demand they pay the entire fee, but you risk them just being equally as inflexible.
Tricky situation and I can certainly see both sides. It's not fair if their well-intended act ends up costing them hundreds but equally, you might have put up with the bonnet as it was and got a couple more years out of it with careful washing around the area. You could go full on angry and demand they pay the entire fee, but you risk them just being equally as inflexible.
I'd suggest a fair outcome would probably be a modest discount of say 10-20% on their ordinary cost for the job. Bonnet respray is what, £750 - 1000??
v9 said:
Tommo87 said:
A split of cost would be a reasonable outcome, as you would get a totally unblemished bonnet.
You could go full on angry and demand they pay the entire fee, but you risk them just being equally as inflexible.
Agreed. Don’t want to be a dick about it. Think they might just say no. How much does a bonnet respray usually cost and what do you think a reasonable split would be? They don’t seem keen on accepting any liability from initial conversations. You could go full on angry and demand they pay the entire fee, but you risk them just being equally as inflexible.
I’d be looking for an equal split.
Basically, four tankfuls of fuel in cost.
Tommo87 said:
Approx £4-500 ‘cost’ depending on how much prep Is required.
I’d be looking for an equal split.
Basically, four tankfuls of fuel in cost.
I suspect it might be quite expensive in time as I guess that it’ll need stripping, there is quite a chunk missing and I don’t think it can be filled, though I am far from an expert on this. Paint can be pricy too, it’s a pearlescent black. I’d be looking for an equal split.
Basically, four tankfuls of fuel in cost.
Shaw Tarse said:
Eh? What does it have to do with an MOT? Damage is nothing to do with the MOT. v9 said:
Shaw Tarse said:
Eh? What does it have to do with an MOT? Damage is nothing to do with the MOT. MBVitoria said:
Tricky situation and I can certainly see both sides. It's not fair if their well-intended act ends up costing them hundreds but equally, you might have put up with the bonnet as it was and got a couple more years out of it with careful washing around the area.
I'd suggest a fair outcome would probably be a modest discount of say 10-20% on their ordinary cost for the job. Bonnet respray is what, £750 - 1000??
The damage was initially very minor, and hasn’t got worse in several years, tiny crack that you’d see if it was pointed out but from 1m away is invisible. Damage is large and obvious. I’d never have bothered with a respray otherwise. I do see their point of view but it’s hard to suck up a £1k bill from someone who has damaged it needlessly. I'd suggest a fair outcome would probably be a modest discount of say 10-20% on their ordinary cost for the job. Bonnet respray is what, £750 - 1000??
I'm not sure you will get anywhere unless they're willing to discount as a good will gesture.
At the end of the day, the bonnet should have been able to withstand a wash with a pressure washer and you say yourself you could hardly notice it unless it was pointed out. If they had scratch it with the lance I think you would be entitled to a repair, I'm not so sure in your instance.
At the end of the day, the bonnet should have been able to withstand a wash with a pressure washer and you say yourself you could hardly notice it unless it was pointed out. If they had scratch it with the lance I think you would be entitled to a repair, I'm not so sure in your instance.
xstian said:
I'm not sure you will get anywhere unless they're willing to discount as a good will gesture.
At the end of the day, the bonnet should have been able to withstand a wash with a pressure washer and you say yourself you could hardly notice it unless it was pointed out. If they had scratch it with the lance I think you would be entitled to a repair, I'm not so sure in your instance.
Why do you say that? There's absolutely no "need" for a bonnet to withstand pressure washing. Nor was the service requested. Also it's well know the possible pitfalls of using a pressure washer without proper care (eg using it on a damaged surface).At the end of the day, the bonnet should have been able to withstand a wash with a pressure washer and you say yourself you could hardly notice it unless it was pointed out. If they had scratch it with the lance I think you would be entitled to a repair, I'm not so sure in your instance.
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