Would you expect to pay for this?

[Makingsenseofitall]

Car went in for a service to a main dealer 4 weeks ago. On the day of the service we had a call to say they had crashed it. They offered us a hire car to use til they fixed it. The car is 5 years old roughly and we have had it from new, bought from this main dealer. Anyway later that week they realised the damage was worse than they thought and it had to go somewhere else to be fixed.

all fine. We hung on to the hire car.

now they are insisting we pay for the service. To be clear I have paid. But I am gobsmacked they haven’t not only paid for this one but also offered a free service at least next year.

still haven’t got the car back btw…..

just curious to know how other people would be calibrating it.

No I wouldn’t and I’d be going mad!!

Why on earth did you pay?

I paid because they were basically insisting on it. And I couldn’t calibrate whether it was crazy or not that I didn’t expect to. I also insisted that they return the car and collect the hire car which they did give into.

They are probably returning the car later today

No I wouldn’t pay

I would want a refund an payment for damages of the car and go elsewhere

not sure why you paid due to them pressuring you?
surely that a red flag?

What damage was done ? I’d want a full breakdown of the repairs incase they cause any issues in future

It probably is. I am usually quite a strong person but my dad died recently and I’m a bit all at sea. We won’t be using them again.

This is a great thought. Thank you. I am kicking myself now for giving in so easily.

I paid using a credit card. I guess I I couldn’t call them and ask them to cancel the payment?

Go to your credit card company and explain what happened that you need the money back given the services wasn’t carried out

And leave a very scathing review where ever you can!

Did they di the service? In which case I'd think that needs to be paid; but then all the repairs and loan car are down to them. Tbh I'd have contacted my insurers about the damage - even if you are not claiming they should be told about it so they can deal with any disputes that might arise - like the garage suddenly denying liability

Hang on a minute - how come they crashed it? A lot of damage was done if it has taken this long to fix, so it can't have been a piddly parking scrape when they were moving cars about on their forecourt, it must have been considerably more than that.

Surely they have devalued your car by crashing it, even if it's fixed again. And the inconvenience of using a loan car for 4+ weeks. How are they intending to recompense you for that?

I'd be asking for compensation for the inconvenience of having to use a hire car for 4 weeks plus whatever amount your car us now devalued. I'd be fuming. They must be insured and how on earth did they crash it???

Absolutely this OP. It sounds like quite a significant crash. And they had to send it away? I’d be worried I wouldn’t be getting my own car back! You need a full breakdown of exactly what was damaged, what has been fixed and warranties relating to the repairs. And an explanation of exactly how the crash happened with documentation (photos etc). They should be offering you free services for life! Take it straight to the area manager/CEO. Don’t bother dealing with the garage.

And ask them what you’re supposed to tell your insurance company?

They did do the service to be clear. Yes it’s the devaluing I am concerned about. I mentioned it and they fobbed me off. Hadn’t thought of the insurance angle

I will leave an honest review on Google and wherever else i can

I would personally be asking for a breakdown of the damage done and the works carried out. This should be covered by their own insurance as they have clearly admitted liability. As they have damaged your car by clearly using it when they shouldnt have been then as a courtesy they owe you the replacement car for free.

I'd personally be asking about where the incident happened, who was driving it, and if it wasn't on the garage premises, why it was there in the first place. I would also be asking for a very clear timeline on when they will be returning your car to you. Are they fixing it in house or have the given it to a third party? Or if they are doing it, do they have the skills to carry out the work being done to the correct standard. If they have given it to a third party, who is this third party and what are their contact details?

This all seems very odd to me, something just doesn't sit right. However they had care of your vehicle for that time. They have caused enough damage to the car for it to be still be being repaired 4 weeks later. You have a right to understand the extent of the damage and ensure that work has been carried out to the correct high standards. As they have caused the inconvenience, you should also have a right to a replacement vehicle and for them to cover that cost.

I would send an email to the manager and explain the situation and then say after careful consideration you feel that having to pay for the service after all of the inconvenience they caused you, is not appropriate and therefore you’d like a refund.

I do understand why you paid as they still delivered the service but you are right that it’s cheeky.

Ask for a dependent valuation on the car pre and post crash and then ask them to compensate you. Also make sure they haven’t categorised the car as Cat N damage or anything like that as it would make it harder to sell.

If any respray was required make sure it was done to a good standard and the colour matches properly. Also make sure they’ve used genuine parts with a warranty.

If you don’t plan on using them again don’t get fobbed off with offers of free servicing or MOTs etc because if you’re not going to use them that’s a waste.

Sorry that should have said an independent valuation at the start.

If they did the work you were expecting them to do and they did it you pay for it.the crash repairs and cost of hire car they pay

This is what has happened…..

One the car is returned, get the money back from the credit card company with chargeback, saying you were pressurised to pay. There isn't much you can do when someone won't release your car to you otherwise.

Then get an independent garage to fully appraise your car and any issues which may still be outstanding as a result of the crash or any loss of value due to it. Then tot this all up and write a letter of claim to the garage main dealer for the full amount of the loss, including the report from the independent garage. Take them to small claims if they don't pay (can be done online). Report them to trading standards and also leave a shitty review.