My 996 damaged by Porsche garage
Discussion
I bought a Porsche 996 Targa in February this year from a Porsche garage. I recently gave this car for change of Brake pads to my local Porsche garage (not the garage I bought the car from). On the day they were suppose to send the car back, I had a phone call saying that my car was accidentally damaged while velleting. Damage is small and we will repair this to Porsche standard. However, next day I went to see my car and found that the whole of the passenger side has a dent and a big crunch to the bumper. It now needs a new bumper, new left side wing, new left side door, repair to the left rear wing and the write front wing.
I am told by the porsche garage that since it would be repaired by them, there would be no loss in the future residuals of the car. I however think that when I come to sell this car, I would loose big time as the potential buyer either would walk away knowing that my car had new bumper, wing, door and a pannel reapir or he/she would offer me less for the car. Porsche garage are adamant that I have no case for dimiution of value. I have now hired a solicitor to deal with this, but find it really frustrating and helpless.
I would be grateful for any advice. What do you think I should do. DO you feel that my car would lose its value or not?
I am told by the porsche garage that since it would be repaired by them, there would be no loss in the future residuals of the car. I however think that when I come to sell this car, I would loose big time as the potential buyer either would walk away knowing that my car had new bumper, wing, door and a pannel reapir or he/she would offer me less for the car. Porsche garage are adamant that I have no case for dimiution of value. I have now hired a solicitor to deal with this, but find it really frustrating and helpless.
I would be grateful for any advice. What do you think I should do. DO you feel that my car would lose its value or not?
Sorry to hear this. I can't offer you any advice on this but how on earth did they do so much damage in valeting? 
Assuming the repair gets recorded on the OPC's system then your car's 'history' will be visible to all other dealers, and IMO they will make some downward allowance come trade in time.
However since its not going to be on the HPI register then its not likely to affect the amount if you sell privately or to an independent.
If I was you I'd get on to Porsche in Reading and complain about the dealer - push them for a couple of years of free servicing and/or extended warranty and possibly an invite to one of their UK hospitality events like the one at Milbrook they do every year and a Porcshe driving course for a day. It costs them nothing and they hate bad PR.
Toby
However since its not going to be on the HPI register then its not likely to affect the amount if you sell privately or to an independent.
If I was you I'd get on to Porsche in Reading and complain about the dealer - push them for a couple of years of free servicing and/or extended warranty and possibly an invite to one of their UK hospitality events like the one at Milbrook they do every year and a Porcshe driving course for a day. It costs them nothing and they hate bad PR.
Toby
I had the same thing happen to me a while back. My car went in for a service one morning & had to stay in overnight due to parts not arriving. I was in the pub that night & a friend of mine told me he had seen a couple of mechanic's driving it around at lunchtime. Was livid to find that they had damaged the front bumper when I picked it up. Service manager didn't even know to tell me about it. Whoever was driving, just left it & hoped I wouldn't notice.
Anyway, the bastards paid for the damage, but I always check the mileage & bodywork before & after it goes in.
I can't see you having any problem with reselling the car, as long as porsche repair it 'as new', which they will no doubt.
Anyway, the bastards paid for the damage, but I always check the mileage & bodywork before & after it goes in.
I can't see you having any problem with reselling the car, as long as porsche repair it 'as new', which they will no doubt.
Got any mates in the bodyshop game?
Allow them to proceed, but once its done take a professional with you and get him to assess it. If its not absolutely off the production line perfect get them either to do it again or to find another way of providing you a perfect car i.e. by swapping it for another.
Damage of this sort wont be recorded anywhere but Porsche...
Allow them to proceed, but once its done take a professional with you and get him to assess it. If its not absolutely off the production line perfect get them either to do it again or to find another way of providing you a perfect car i.e. by swapping it for another.
Damage of this sort wont be recorded anywhere but Porsche...
It WILL affect value, but maybe not by much.
Any decent inspection will reveal the repair, and this CAN affect the amount of money offered for the car. If you don't believe me, get an AA inpector to check it afterwards and see if he sucks through his teeth when he spots it. I guarantee he will, rather than saying 'lucky there mate, thought this one was pristine'.
On old cars people don't mind so much, but who wants to buy a new car that has had a hard life already?
It is difficult to put a monetary value on this - some punters don't mind at all, others will ask for hundreds or even thousands off. I would say the garage in question should be bending over backwards to become your friend, offering you free servicing and driver days, as mentioned on this thread.
Otherwise I suggest you speak to customer services at Porsche in Reading, as head office always like to know of errant dealers. The threat of possibly losing their franchise through a catalogue of complaints will be more worrying that a solicitor's letter.
If you get nowhere with Porsche in Reading, say you'll go to the national car press.
Getcarter recently had a problem with BMW, and when Bracknell did nothing after a solicitor's intervention he went public. After Autocar, Evo etc published the story, results happened very quickly
Any decent inspection will reveal the repair, and this CAN affect the amount of money offered for the car. If you don't believe me, get an AA inpector to check it afterwards and see if he sucks through his teeth when he spots it. I guarantee he will, rather than saying 'lucky there mate, thought this one was pristine'.
On old cars people don't mind so much, but who wants to buy a new car that has had a hard life already?
It is difficult to put a monetary value on this - some punters don't mind at all, others will ask for hundreds or even thousands off. I would say the garage in question should be bending over backwards to become your friend, offering you free servicing and driver days, as mentioned on this thread.
Otherwise I suggest you speak to customer services at Porsche in Reading, as head office always like to know of errant dealers. The threat of possibly losing their franchise through a catalogue of complaints will be more worrying that a solicitor's letter.
If you get nowhere with Porsche in Reading, say you'll go to the national car press.
Getcarter recently had a problem with BMW, and when Bracknell did nothing after a solicitor's intervention he went public. After Autocar, Evo etc published the story, results happened very quickly
Realy sorry to hear about your Problem It is hard to tell how bad the damage is from your discription
My one note of caution would be that I had a simmilar problem with a 2.5 Boxter in 98 and when it came to sell no OPC would buy the car two did not want it in PX! so it had to be sold privatly.
I think before you settle you should sound out a couple of buyers from other OPC,s and see how much your "fixed car" is now worth
Just my view but be carefull of accepting goodwill gestures which still leave you out of pocket when you look to sell
My one note of caution would be that I had a simmilar problem with a 2.5 Boxter in 98 and when it came to sell no OPC would buy the car two did not want it in PX! so it had to be sold privatly.
I think before you settle you should sound out a couple of buyers from other OPC,s and see how much your "fixed car" is now worth
Just my view but be carefull of accepting goodwill gestures which still leave you out of pocket when you look to sell
Providing Porsche do the job properly it shouldnt be too much of an issue. As I understand it Porsche do not have a central register of paint repairs (they used to). I would suggest you photograph the car, have the repair work done and then get the dealership to write a letter confirming they were the cause of the accident, they had it repaired to the correct standard and that the repair will have no bearing on the car`s future value.
That way if there are any issues re: price when it comes to resale you will be able to approach the dealer, them having guaranteed to you it would not be the case.
Legal battles are often long and drawn out and may not fall in your favour. I do agree it`s a difficult one. I don`t know how old the car is but given it is a 996 Targa I suspect not that old. If it were less than say 3 months you may have grounds for a replacement. Similarly given you were having new pads fitted it must have done a bit of work.
Good luck.
That way if there are any issues re: price when it comes to resale you will be able to approach the dealer, them having guaranteed to you it would not be the case.
Legal battles are often long and drawn out and may not fall in your favour. I do agree it`s a difficult one. I don`t know how old the car is but given it is a 996 Targa I suspect not that old. If it were less than say 3 months you may have grounds for a replacement. Similarly given you were having new pads fitted it must have done a bit of work.
Good luck.
There is one very good thing about Porsche paint repairs from their approved network, subject to an annual inspection they are guarantee the paintwork for life. This is obviously better than a new car.
I had an older porsche totally resprayed at a Porsche approved bodyshop, the job was good.I took it to my usual paint guys who are beyond superb, they found several things that I needed to go back for.
One thing the approved guys don't seem to manage is to get the correct orange peel texture to match the rest of the car, where as top paint boys pay special attention to this.
Although it was good i sold the car on as I am a fussy bugger, cars are rarely the same after a repair, which is why you need to get some form of additional benefit or compensation
I had an older porsche totally resprayed at a Porsche approved bodyshop, the job was good.I took it to my usual paint guys who are beyond superb, they found several things that I needed to go back for.
One thing the approved guys don't seem to manage is to get the correct orange peel texture to match the rest of the car, where as top paint boys pay special attention to this.
Although it was good i sold the car on as I am a fussy bugger, cars are rarely the same after a repair, which is why you need to get some form of additional benefit or compensation
I think all this business about effecting value is nonsense if the repar is done in a proper manner.
I have px 4 P cars over the past 5 years to OPC and in each case they hardly looked at the car at all!
In one case only looked at the speedo and that was it.
The dealers dont care anyway
I have px 4 P cars over the past 5 years to OPC and in each case they hardly looked at the car at all!
In one case only looked at the speedo and that was it.
The dealers dont care anyway
Interesting this...
About 6 years ago I considered buying a 1989 (F) 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe from a (then) well-known broker. The car looked superb had full PSH, full leather and a was in superb condition. However, it was about £4K under what it was worth.
I looked over this car thoroughly and drove it about 10-15 miles and apart from an annoying squeaking (chaffing) sound from behid the dash, it was great.
Then why so cheap?...I asked the broker the question?
He told me "that as I had asked the question, he was legally bound to answer me, with any detail that he knew regarding the cars condition or history, that may affect my decision" The fact was, (and give him his dues) at six months old the car was re-shelled by Porsche after a feak accident sustained whilst the car was in an OPC!
It came with a letter from Porsche, stating that the car was repaired to Porsche standard and the warrenty was unaffected by the repairs. However, when the chap came to change his car, Porsche wouldn`t buy it back for some reason! Hence, it was for sale with the broker at a reduced price.
Subsiquently, I have learned, that a private vendor has no legal obligation to mention such repairs, if he/her wish not to, and if the would-be purchaser doesn`t ask!
Its the stigma of major repairs that could put off future potential purchasers....Be very very careful, because all OPC`s are profit making businesses and someone will be "counting the beans" on your repair. They want you to be happy now, but I would guess that the next or indeed, further and subsiquent owners, are far far away from their thoughts at the moment!
Good Luck and be careful!
About 6 years ago I considered buying a 1989 (F) 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe from a (then) well-known broker. The car looked superb had full PSH, full leather and a was in superb condition. However, it was about £4K under what it was worth.
I looked over this car thoroughly and drove it about 10-15 miles and apart from an annoying squeaking (chaffing) sound from behid the dash, it was great.
Then why so cheap?...I asked the broker the question?
He told me "that as I had asked the question, he was legally bound to answer me, with any detail that he knew regarding the cars condition or history, that may affect my decision" The fact was, (and give him his dues) at six months old the car was re-shelled by Porsche after a feak accident sustained whilst the car was in an OPC!
It came with a letter from Porsche, stating that the car was repaired to Porsche standard and the warrenty was unaffected by the repairs. However, when the chap came to change his car, Porsche wouldn`t buy it back for some reason! Hence, it was for sale with the broker at a reduced price.
Subsiquently, I have learned, that a private vendor has no legal obligation to mention such repairs, if he/her wish not to, and if the would-be purchaser doesn`t ask!
Its the stigma of major repairs that could put off future potential purchasers....Be very very careful, because all OPC`s are profit making businesses and someone will be "counting the beans" on your repair. They want you to be happy now, but I would guess that the next or indeed, further and subsiquent owners, are far far away from their thoughts at the moment!
Good Luck and be careful!
You have my every sympathy, I had both doors marked on the cars last warranty visit, but this was very minor compared to yours.
As long as the car is finished to original standard & the garage are willing put in writing the circumstances of the repair & it's "minor" nature, also saying that it will not affect future residuals, I don't think you will have a problem.
But if it was me I would expect some form of compensation for the inconvenience & stress, me thinks next free service/a look at the Tequipment brochure would be in order ! Best of luck.
As long as the car is finished to original standard & the garage are willing put in writing the circumstances of the repair & it's "minor" nature, also saying that it will not affect future residuals, I don't think you will have a problem.
But if it was me I would expect some form of compensation for the inconvenience & stress, me thinks next free service/a look at the Tequipment brochure would be in order ! Best of luck.
Welcome Aamir,
As I predicted you've had a huge and helpful (tho' somewhat contradictory) replies.
Summary would seem to be
1)Contact Reading put on pressure. Best possible outcome? New car (unlikely)not disadvantaged at trade in (more likely)
or
2)Keep good relationship with dealer & squeeze out some freebies.
Hope you get 996 back to your satisfaction and can make some happier postings in future. Let us know how you get on.
Tim
As I predicted you've had a huge and helpful (tho' somewhat contradictory) replies.
Summary would seem to be
1)Contact Reading put on pressure. Best possible outcome? New car (unlikely)not disadvantaged at trade in (more likely)
or
2)Keep good relationship with dealer & squeeze out some freebies.
Hope you get 996 back to your satisfaction and can make some happier postings in future. Let us know how you get on.
Tim
A repair of any level will definitely affect value and trade in potential at any OPC INCLUDING the ones who damaged it. I would advise that you get it in writing from the offending OPC that they will buy the car back from you for full book value should you ever decide to sell it or trade it OR get them to underwrite the difference if another OPC offers less.
As for repairs, I would only accept the car if it was done at Reading since I have yet to find a Porsche bodyshop that gives a damn about the absolute quality of what they do, seeing as every employee in the business is on a bonus scheme to get the job done in less time and hence they all cut corners (don't believe the man at the desk, they are not doing the job!).
Final possiblity is to get the repair done privately and make sure that the car does not go on the Porsche repair records, and get the OPC to pay.
As for repairs, I would only accept the car if it was done at Reading since I have yet to find a Porsche bodyshop that gives a damn about the absolute quality of what they do, seeing as every employee in the business is on a bonus scheme to get the job done in less time and hence they all cut corners (don't believe the man at the desk, they are not doing the job!).
Final possiblity is to get the repair done privately and make sure that the car does not go on the Porsche repair records, and get the OPC to pay.
ninemeister said:
A repair of any level will definitely affect value and trade in potential at any OPC INCLUDING the ones who damaged it. I would advise that you get it in writing from the offending OPC that they will buy the car back from you for full book value should you ever decide to sell it or trade it OR get them to underwrite the difference if another OPC offers less.
As for repairs, I would only accept the car if it was done at Reading since I have yet to find a Porsche bodyshop that gives a damn about the absolute quality of what they do, seeing as every employee in the business is on a bonus scheme to get the job done in less time and hence they all cut corners (don't believe the man at the desk, they are not doing the job!).
Final possiblity is to get the repair done privately and make sure that the car does not go on the Porsche repair records, and get the OPC to pay.
I'm with you. There are so many 996 out there now that if I was looking for one, I would not choose one which has been damaged/repaired no matter what the circumstances were or who repaired it.
Of course its going to affect the value. You'll only know how much when you come to sell it and find out no-one wants it...
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