Advice after accident repair
Discussion
Hi folks,
I was parked outside the newspaper shop when a lady left her avenue and drove 50 yards into the back of my pristine C180 with less than 15000 on the clock. Damage to bumper and a twisted boot lid plus whatever has crumpled behind the bumper area. She said the sun was in her eyes; more likely she was distracted by her chum or her phone as the road was clearly visible even with the low sun.
My insurers told me to use their approved repairer ( a Vauxhall dealer) and my concern is what to do if I am not happy with the repair. I understand it is quite difficult to match the paint colour and I sure don’t want a two tone car.
I presume I will be asked to sign an acceptance form when the car is handed back but what if the paint shows a different colour under different lighting conditions. Would the repairer accept my signature with some proviso such as E and OE ( errors and omissions excepted) or “without prejudice” which would enable me to have them put the work right if something shows up at a later date. Is it likely that the cat converter may have been damaged in the prang? The damage is not on the side of the exhaust tail pipe and there are no warning lights showing on the dash. The car was in Park at the time though the park mechanism does seem to be undamaged. I know of a chap whose auto box was damaged when someone hits his car when it was in Park. Pawl mechanism I guess.
I am now told I could have asked for the car to be repaired at a Mercedes dealer but was not offered that option.
Anyone had any experience of anything like the above?
I was parked outside the newspaper shop when a lady left her avenue and drove 50 yards into the back of my pristine C180 with less than 15000 on the clock. Damage to bumper and a twisted boot lid plus whatever has crumpled behind the bumper area. She said the sun was in her eyes; more likely she was distracted by her chum or her phone as the road was clearly visible even with the low sun.
My insurers told me to use their approved repairer ( a Vauxhall dealer) and my concern is what to do if I am not happy with the repair. I understand it is quite difficult to match the paint colour and I sure don’t want a two tone car.
I presume I will be asked to sign an acceptance form when the car is handed back but what if the paint shows a different colour under different lighting conditions. Would the repairer accept my signature with some proviso such as E and OE ( errors and omissions excepted) or “without prejudice” which would enable me to have them put the work right if something shows up at a later date. Is it likely that the cat converter may have been damaged in the prang? The damage is not on the side of the exhaust tail pipe and there are no warning lights showing on the dash. The car was in Park at the time though the park mechanism does seem to be undamaged. I know of a chap whose auto box was damaged when someone hits his car when it was in Park. Pawl mechanism I guess.
I am now told I could have asked for the car to be repaired at a Mercedes dealer but was not offered that option.
Anyone had any experience of anything like the above?
You can ask for the repair to be done wherever you like. Still time if it hasn’t started yet. However, many dealers do not have their own body shops so they outsource it anyway and ironically it could go to the same place.
I wouldn’t worry about the Cat it’s much closer to the engine than the rear deck
I wouldn’t worry about the Cat it’s much closer to the engine than the rear deck
The colour is Paladium Silver. I was told the repairers would pick up the car on a transporter but they now tell me they will collect it and drive it to the workshop. I trust they won't send a yound kid to take it. Pal of mine refused to let a young lad drive his Mercedes as he was concerned the kid might thrash it. Mrecedes had sent the lad to pick up the car for service.
I now see there is a five year warranty on the repair so I guess that should cover and problems. All because a dopey girl was distracted by something and hit my car. Wonder what my renewal premium will be. No claims in 23 years. They may say it's a no claim bonus not a no blame bonus.
T
I now see there is a five year warranty on the repair so I guess that should cover and problems. All because a dopey girl was distracted by something and hit my car. Wonder what my renewal premium will be. No claims in 23 years. They may say it's a no claim bonus not a no blame bonus.
T
Its your car,don`t let the insurance company dictate to you what must be done.
When someone ran into my R129 I demanded that my car was repaired at my local Mercedes Indy.You may loose the loan car and other things,so check your policy document. When collecting the car don`t sign anything until you have inspected it and are satisfied.
When someone ran into my R129 I demanded that my car was repaired at my local Mercedes Indy.You may loose the loan car and other things,so check your policy document. When collecting the car don`t sign anything until you have inspected it and are satisfied.
Do what I did. My insurance company wanted to send me to their approved repair shop, Fix-it Auto IIRC. I wasnt so sure, these guys do modern cars all the time, most would never have seen a R129 before.
Instead I dealt directly with the 3rd parties insurance. Their claims inspector offered to have MB do the repair (Hugh's of Beaconsfield) They have their own bodyshop at the dealership, and their panel beater was some old chap who fixed these cars back in the day. He knew exactly what needed to be done, new bumper from Germany ordered up and paint an exact match even after 20 years.
I still had a free hire car. MB were obviously not cheap, but by me not using a claims servcie that over inflates costs and car hire charges, her insurance saved a small fortune and were only to happy to sort it all out.
Instead I dealt directly with the 3rd parties insurance. Their claims inspector offered to have MB do the repair (Hugh's of Beaconsfield) They have their own bodyshop at the dealership, and their panel beater was some old chap who fixed these cars back in the day. He knew exactly what needed to be done, new bumper from Germany ordered up and paint an exact match even after 20 years.
I still had a free hire car. MB were obviously not cheap, but by me not using a claims servcie that over inflates costs and car hire charges, her insurance saved a small fortune and were only to happy to sort it all out.
I wouldn't be put off by the fact it's a Vauxhall dealer alone, check reviews and see if you can find good or bad feedback.
My previous Merc needed warranty work, and my local Merc dealer group doesn't have it's own bodyshop and has a tie up with the local Evans Halshaw bodyshop who deal with Ford cars and commercials primarily. The yard was full of transit vans when I dropped the car off which some might find off-putting, but the finished standard of repair work was excellent and I couldn't fault it. Paint is all ordered by chassis/vin code now anyway isn't it?
My previous Merc needed warranty work, and my local Merc dealer group doesn't have it's own bodyshop and has a tie up with the local Evans Halshaw bodyshop who deal with Ford cars and commercials primarily. The yard was full of transit vans when I dropped the car off which some might find off-putting, but the finished standard of repair work was excellent and I couldn't fault it. Paint is all ordered by chassis/vin code now anyway isn't it?
Update:
My car has now been returned and I am very pleased to report it seems to be a very professonal job. Colour match looks spot on, the "bumper" has been replaced and the twisted, dented boot lid looks like new. Goodness knows how they managed that and left no trace.
Hats off to Lookers Body shop at Queensferry, North Wales and thanks too to the insurance company who organised everything.
My car has now been returned and I am very pleased to report it seems to be a very professonal job. Colour match looks spot on, the "bumper" has been replaced and the twisted, dented boot lid looks like new. Goodness knows how they managed that and left no trace.
Hats off to Lookers Body shop at Queensferry, North Wales and thanks too to the insurance company who organised everything.
Edited by Tafia on Saturday 19th January 11:22
Edited by Tafia on Saturday 19th January 11:23
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