Dealer smashed my car. What to do?

[^__^ SM ^__^]

Today, I took my car to get the dash rattle fixed. The mechanical backed my euro into the work bench vice and smashed my rear light and dented my bumper and made a cut into the metal above the light.

They said they will fix it so I won't notice it. But i'm looking for your advice on what i should look out for and what to be aware of etc. what are my options etc.

I'm very very very depressed bc I love my CAR!! :(

[SINISTR]

oh no! bummer

yeah - dealer should have it fixed perfectly for you!!

no ifs or buts

[che_ryan]

hey man i feel for ya. Someone scratch my 2 month old euro back then, soo depressing especially when u look at it broke your heart :(

My advise for you: if its a big dent and respraying is needed, then if possible take it to the panel beater of your preference; a really good one. The dealer should pay whatever the quote will be, since it was totally their fault. Coz you'll regret the result if they finally get your car fix to their cheapy job (dealer always want to get everything done as cheap as possible right?)

bad paint job is suck believe me.

hope this helps

[aaronng]

It must be perfect. If light's broken, they'll replace it. Make sure you check the panel and bumper that they didn't use bondo to cover it up.

[che_ryan]

hey, since your in melbourne (assuming: kew) which dealer you went to?

[EuroDude]

best to keep the dealer name to PM ;)

But any dealer can make mistakes...

[albii]

i'm afraid it will never be the same again..
hope that you pick a decent repaier.

[euro77]

Sorry to hear that, I know how you feel!

Tell them you want brand new panel and bumper, instead of a fix :thumbsup:

[EuroDude]

Get them to give you a free option, such as a sunroof :p

[che_ryan]

heheh good one eurodude, or ask em for free next service :) or honda ipod thingy :) as a compensation that ur car can never be the same again (it will tough with a decent repair job haha)

[teaseR]

haha nice scams
i love it

[ECU-MAN]

bad luck dude.

the dealer is insured so they will fix it for you properly. the dealer didnt want this to happen any more than you did.

just make sure your happy with the look of the repaire before you take possesion of it again after the repairs are done

[^__^ SM ^__^]

I think I will get new bumper and lights. but how can i convince them of a new panel. The vice cut the metal above the lights.. I can see the split in the metal!! i think they will use body filler to fix that.. i want a new panel!! any ideas please.

[aaronng]

I think I will get new bumper and lights. but how can i convince them of a new panel. The vice cut the metal above the lights.. I can see the split in the metal!! i think they will use body filler to fix that.. i want a new panel!! any ideas please.
Tell them you want a new panel. Simple.

[EuroAccord13]

When it comes to cases like these, always use ACCC to back you up... Works a treat...


Good luck...

[silver_screen]

as person who works at a dealership and on the floor... ive actually accidently crashed a customers car also.. didnt realise how big the rear end was on an adventura and i collected a wall as i was turning.. torn off the rear guard and rear bar...

As some advice.. id let the dealer fix it @ theyre panel shop because we all have one.. and let me tell u.. the one we use is quite possibly one of the more prestiage panel shops around melbourne... non of these 3k full resprays n shit.. the damage i did to the car ended up costing 9k... n thats just 1 guard and a rear bar fitted and resprayed.. I actually called the customer myself and told him what i did.. he was fine with it and when he got his car back.. he couldnt even tell it was even crashed :) MOST dealerships will not fix something cheaply because word of mouth can shut down a business :)

[^__^ SM ^__^]

as person who works at a dealership and on the floor... ive actually accidently crashed a customers car also.. didnt realise how big the rear end was on an adventura and i collected a wall as i was turning.. torn off the rear guard and rear bar...

As some advice.. id let the dealer fix it @ theyre panel shop because we all have one.. and let me tell u.. the one we use is quite possibly one of the more prestiage panel shops around melbourne... non of these 3k full resprays n shit.. the damage i did to the car ended up costing 9k... n thats just 1 guard and a rear bar fitted and resprayed.. I actually called the customer myself and told him what i did.. he was fine with it and when he got his car back.. he couldnt even tell it was even crashed :) MOST dealerships will not fix something cheaply because word of mouth can shut down a business :)

I tried asking the dealer what repairer and he said he's not authorised to tell because it's a private company that only dealers use. Can you confirm that? Thanks.

[Rice_4_life]

when u get it bak mak sure to inspect every inch of the bumper and repaired places very carefully. a lot of the times the paint job will b average and u will notice it if u hav a very keen eye. and mak sure you do the inspecting in front of the SA and complain if there is anything you don't like about the repair job.

[destrukshn]

your better off repairing it
becuase a rear qtr panel
they'd have to chop that off as well, and re weld it back on.
and takes it longer to do

[Catcha]

Well in the end does not matter who fixes it, as long as its fixed and done properly. Dealers will usually have a panel beater that they go and trust. Because if they also sell used cars and the quailty is crap, people can tell and they won't be able to sell it that easily. They usually avoid cheap and nasty ones if h they wanna uphold there reputation.

I saw a Holden ute get keyed at the dealership 3 days before it was taken delivery it was a used Ute of course. they Fixed and couldn't tell the difference....panels will be much harder though somtimes.

[tony1234]

Well in the end does not matter who fixes it, as long as its fixed and done properly. Dealers will usually have a panel beater that they go and trust. Because if they also sell used cars and the quailty is crap, people can tell and they won't be able to sell it that easily. They usually avoid cheap and nasty ones if h they wanna uphold there reputation.

I saw a Holden ute get keyed at the dealership 3 days before it was taken delivery it was a used Ute of course. they Fixed and couldn't tell the difference....panels will be much harder though somtimes.
You want loan car as well!!!!

[^__^ SM ^__^]

Yup.. got a loan car. i'll keep everyone posted on progress. thanks for coming to my help so fast :) very happy to be part of OzHonda community :D

[tony1234]

Yup.. got a loan car. i'll keep everyone posted on progress. thanks for coming to my help so fast :) very happy to be part of OzHonda community :D
Hope it all works out!

[euro77]

yeah, once fixed, looked carefully for any imperfections in the paint, like orange peel for example. Also, make sure there are good lights around when looking at it, best under the sun, and look from every angle.

[tron07]

Get them to clean the interior properly, steam clean preferably... also polished and waxed too.... plus free next service if possible.

[BiLL|z0r]

I wouldn't trust a dealer to polish and wax my car. Prefer to do it myself or have a car detailer do it.

[che_ryan]

euro 77 had a good point there: orange peel a very common problem for a respray job, just make sure you're happy with the fix. all the best :)

[TypeG]

yeah ask for freebie.......

[^__^ SM ^__^]

The car is back from the repair shop and they're going to give it a full detail.

What freebies do you guys seriously think I should ask for?

Now i'm in a Euro lux with full body kit and spoiler ;)

[che_ryan]

hmmm next free service maybe?

[EuroDude]

I wouldn't trust a dealer to polish and wax my car. Prefer to do it myself or have a car detailer do it.

same here. my new euro was delivered with small scratches all over. Obviously they didnt use a woolen mitten or micro fibre :o

So now I tell the dealer not to wash the car when i get it serviced..

[albii]

same here. my new euro was delivered with small scratches all over. Obviously they didnt use a woolen mitten or micro fibre :o

So now I tell the dealer not to wash the car when i get it serviced..
some dealers are just the worst...i wouldn't trust them either.
when i get my car serviced i ask them.do you wash the car and they respond with yes and i say don't do it.
2 years of zymol just to have them fcuk it with one bodgy wash.

[tony1234]

The car is back from the repair shop and they're going to give it a full detail.

What freebies do you guys seriously think I should ask for?

Now i'm in a Euro lux with full body kit and spoiler ;)
Good choice of loan car!!Keep milking it!!!(the freebies).

[tony1234]

some dealers are just the worst...i wouldn't trust them either.
when i get my car serviced i ask them.do you wash the car and they respond with yes and i say don't do it.
2 years of zymol just to have them fcuk it with one bodgy wash.
Yeah.they do a crap job as well as scratch it.:thumbdwn:

[tknova]

What bad luck bud!! Sorry too hear!!
I'm an assesor for an insurance company so this is what you should be getting the repair to do.

Replace the rear bumper
Replace the light (they have too)
With the quater panel you definatly want to repair it and not replace it as you will need to re-apply sealer once the 1/4 panel is put back on (loose the factory look as nobody can fully replicate oem sealer on the 1/4 panel)
Make sure the repairer
x-rays the filler before applying basecoat, paint & clear (so there is no shrinkage)
and make sure the repairer removes the rear windscreen and turret mould (the black thing going along the roof going to the front windscreen) when appling clear to the 1/4 panel, 1/4 pillar, cant rail & a-pillar as you don't want blend marks, clear peeling, uneven finish and also dry edges.
MAKE sure they clear the WHOLE 1/4 panel going all the way down the cant rail as you will have problems in the future if they don't.

Once repairs are completed check for:
dirt in the paint, denibs, major orange peel & overspray.
Check for sags/runs.
Check for dry edges ofcource along the rear screen and turret mould.
Check for a colour variation between the 1/4 panel, rear door & boot lid as the clear the body shop will apply may look different to the doors & boot lid as the clear can change the flip of the paint in the sun on angles.

I can recommend some VERY good repairers if you want to pm me!

Good luck! :)

[^__^ SM ^__^]

What bad luck bud!! Sorry too hear!!
I'm an assesor for an insurance company so this is what you should be getting the repair to do.

Replace the rear bumper
Replace the light (they have too)
With the quater panel you definatly want to repair it and not replace it as you will need to re-apply sealer once the 1/4 panel is put back on (loose the factory look as nobody can fully replicate oem sealer on the 1/4 panel)
Make sure the repairer
x-rays the filler before applying basecoat, paint & clear (so there is no shrinkage)
and make sure the repairer removes the rear windscreen and turret mould (the black thing going along the roof going to the front windscreen) when appling clear to the 1/4 panel, 1/4 pillar, cant rail & a-pillar as you don't want blend marks, clear peeling, uneven finish and also dry edges.
MAKE sure they clear the WHOLE 1/4 panel going all the way down the cant rail as you will have problems in the future if they don't.

Once repairs are completed check for:
dirt in the paint, denibs, major orange peel & overspray.
Check for sags/runs.
Check for dry edges ofcource along the rear screen and turret mould.
Check for a colour variation between the 1/4 panel, rear door & boot lid as the clear the body shop will apply may look different to the doors & boot lid as the clear can change the flip of the paint in the sun on angles.

I can recommend some VERY good repairers if you want to pm me!

Good luck! :)

Thank you so much for your advice. I will look for those things because as of now, the repairs are complete. Thanks very much all the same. :D

[ngupil]

ask them to give u 1 year free petrol :)

[euro77]

you know what would be the best (of course I highly doubt you would be able to do this), have the dealer replace your car with a relatively same kms reading (if urs is not brand new) that has not had any repairs/damage :D

[Catcha]

You want loan car as well!!!!

Thats ok I have enough cars at home :D

[^__^ SM ^__^]

you know what would be the best (of course I highly doubt you would be able to do this), have the dealer replace your car with a relatively same kms reading (if urs is not brand new) that has not had any repairs/damage :D

Haha.. I wish.. the loan car has about the same km ;)

I don't mind keeping it. :P j/k

[destrukshn]

some dealers oursource thier work to detailers.

[silver_screen]

I tried asking the dealer what repairer and he said he's not authorised to tell because it's a private company that only dealers use. Can you confirm that? Thanks.


some dealers may or may not give out details of theyre choice of repairer... ours wouldnt tell u.. i wouldnt tell u on this thread but if u PM'd me id gladly let u know who we use :)

[EuroDude]

Ask for a free service next time, thats probably the best ur gonna get.

I mean for a $250 service, it costs them like $125 for parts and labour since they get everything at cost price... saving $250 for your troubles seems reasonable.

[tony1234]

Ask for a free service next time, thats probably the best ur gonna get.

I mean for a $250 service, it costs them like $125 for parts and labour since they get everything at cost price... saving $250 for your troubles seems reasonable.
U can only try!!!

[tony1234]

some dealers may or may not give out details of theyre choice of repairer... ours wouldnt tell u.. i wouldnt tell u on this thread but if u PM'd me id gladly let u know who we use :)
Can u recommend any good repairers in Sydney?Since u r in the trade u will know the more reputable ones.(u can PM me if u prefer).....Thanks.

[Weq]

SAme thing happened to a mates s2000. It will never be the same again. The dealer just used a standard smash repairer and it has never been fully fixed. Even after taking it back 3-5times to make eveyrthing fit right.

[^__^ SM ^__^]

I have a quick question. The corner on metal bit above the light doesn't line up with the corner of the light so it overhangs the light a little bit. is this normal or should i complain about it.

ie. the corner makes a sharper corner so the angle sticks out because the light is more rounded around the corner

thanks.

[aaronng]

I have a quick question. The corner on metal bit above the light doesn't line up with the corner of the light so it overhangs the light a little bit. is this normal or should i complain about it.

ie. the corner makes a sharper corner so the angle sticks out because the light is more rounded around the corner

thanks.
That's normal. Same on all Euros. If you get them to adjust it, they will only press down on that panel and give you dents in it. That's what happened to my car.

[Entity]

at least they are admitting fault and fixing it for you, theres not much more you can expect without going through alot of trouble

if the repairs are not satisfying, then you can complain, but for now at least let them do what they can for you.

when this happened to me, they didn't even admit it, said it came in like that >.>

[^__^ SM ^__^]

AHHH soo annoyed... they didn't replace the bumper!! I saw orange skin on the lower part of the bumper which I presumed they didn't sand done properly before respray!!

ARHH!! Must have called those mobile repairers instead of a proper shop. Taking it back today.

As for the steering wheel rattle... they didn't even look at it because it's still there and they said they fixed it because of some loose screws in the dash?

[tony1234]

AHHH soo annoyed... they didn't replace the bumper!! I saw orange skin on the lower part of the bumper which I presumed they didn't sand done properly before respray!!

ARHH!! Must have called those mobile repairers instead of a proper shop. Taking it back today.

As for the steering wheel rattle... they didn't even look at it because it's still there and they said they fixed it because of some loose screws in the dash?
You want bumper replaced.Remind them THEY fcuked it up so they have to fix it properly.After they fix it get car checked out by qualified panelbeater and get written report.

[albii]

this just pisses me off.......they prang it and then they wanna bodge it up...
tell them that before they pranged it the bumper was perfect so make it perfect again otherwise i will get an independent report and you can pay for devaluing my car.

[^__^ SM ^__^]

Booked it in Wednesday. I found 2 more deep scratches and a dent on the rear wheel arch that wasn't there before.

They said they will do the bumper again and fix those scratches too. Dont' know how to make them fix the dent.. probably said wasn't their fault.. i swear it wasnt' there before.

darn it!! if you know where i live.. you know which dealer i'm talking about ;)

[Rice_4_life]

just keep complaining to them, they smashed it and it's their responsibility to repair everything to your satisfaction, hope it all works out for ya

[chunky]

BAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
sue the bastards

[coyote]

I'd contact your insurance company and get them to chase it up. They'll know the right way of going about things legally, and will contact the dealer's insurance company. There's no way they should just do a cheap-fix on it. And if you swear the dent wasn't there, then they must fix that too. Let your insurance company deal with it and don't get stressed out about it...

[tanalasta]

Remember to take photos.

Tell them if they don't fix it up properly this time, you will take it through your insurance policy. Not only that, you will be acquiring legal advice about their negligence and that you will be recovering damages not only for your car, but loss of time.

And whilst you're telling them all this, get photographic evidence and take down personal details of the ones involved. The latter usually gets people's attention.

[EuroAccord13]

Time to call in the "I will not recommend people to your dealership" and "I take this case to ACCC" ....

[tony1234]

I'd contact your insurance company and get them to chase it up. They'll know the right way of going about things legally, and will contact the dealer's insurance company. There's no way they should just do a cheap-fix on it. And if you swear the dent wasn't there, then they must fix that too. Let your insurance company deal with it and don't get stressed out about it...
Yeah.I think that's the best way to handle it.

[Type R Positive]

Yeah.I think that's the best way to handle it.
Me too! :thumbsup:

[che_ryan]

Me too! :thumbsup:

totally agree

[Datuk]

my dealership scratch my back bumper car during p/d

[TypeG]

my dealership scratch my back bumper car during p/d


same thing happen to my car too

[^__^ SM ^__^]

Hi guys. They decided to change the bumper today but didn't acknowledge the dent on the rear wheel arch :(

Seems unlikely they are going to get it fixed for me. :(

Does anyone know where I can get the dent pulled out? Not big a dent but noticeable. It is on the 2-3cm wide flat strip of metal that run above the wheel arch if you know what i mean.

I am on really tight budget so I hope you guys can recommend a good place but maybe with "mates rates" for me.

Exam next week and all this is driving me NUTS!!! Please help. :(

[tony1234]

Hi guys. They decided to change the bumper today but didn't acknowledge the dent on the rear wheel arch :(

Seems unlikely they are going to get it fixed for me. :(

Does anyone know where I can get the dent pulled out? Not big a dent but noticeable. It is on the 2-3cm wide flat strip of metal that run above the wheel arch if you know what i mean.

I am on really tight budget so I hope you guys can recommend a good place but maybe with "mates rates" for me.

Exam next week and all this is driving me NUTS!!! Please help. :(
What city are u in?Maybe paintless dent removal?(depends on size of dent)

[^__^ SM ^__^]

I'm in Melbourne. I was thinking about paintless dent removal too but there are so many places and I was hoping I could get some recommendation from everyone here. and maybe a referal too :)

Thanks.

[tony1234]

I'm in Melbourne. I was thinking about paintless dent removal too but there are so many places and I was hoping I could get some recommendation from everyone here. and maybe a referal too :)

Thanks.
i know some good ones but i'm in Sydney.....sorry

[silver_screen]

Sorry Tony1234 but i dont know any reputable panel shops in sydney.

[EuroDude]

i can get DIY dent repair kits that suck out the dent, check this site:
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/ding_king.html

[aaronng]

i can get DIY dent repair kits that suck out the dent, check this site:
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/ding_king.html

They don't give you the perfect flat surface. You need paintless dent removal for that. Some with dedication could get some training on PDR.

[euro77]

try www.dentwizard.com.au (http://www.dentwizard.com.au) or www.dentoway.com.au (http://www.dentoway.com.au)
I've used dent wizard before, very happy with the results, paid $100 (I think it was, this was long time ago) to fix a dent on my civic where a garbage bin hits the rear quarter panel.

[80057]

I would send a letter to honda HO

Honda Australia Pty Ltd
Locked Bag 95
Tullamarine, Victoria 3043

Phone: 1800 804 954

tell them exactly what happened when where how that your still unhappy.
they should come back to try and help out and also if ur lucky freebies, also tell them you are never going to that dealership again.

[euro1978]

I havent read the whole thread (so lazy am I)

Having been through this not too long ago with someone who had their liberty GT damaged as well as someone who had their car written off by the dealer I have an idea what they will and wont do.

They will not give you monetary compensation or any other gratuities. I would not threaten them legally intitially as you will find a quick response in the form of a dirty letter from their solicitors. - its not going to help you get your car back to its OEM condition.

I would be saying - I want the car fixed at my panel beater of choice (Mr gloss for me in kilpa rd morrabbin - the best there is)

I would also make honda give me a loan car for the duration.

I think that would be a fair outcome.

I would also definately contact Honda Australia and get them involved as it will only help your cause.

Good Luck with it