Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this car dealer is taking the p**s

20 replies

OberonTheHopeful · 23/04/2015 19:31

My car has a few small scratches on the lower part of the front nearside door as a result of a stray tyre rolling down the motorway. It's only two and a half years old so I took it to the local main dealer for a quote and they want £945 Shock This includes removing all fittings from the front and rear nearside doors, and blending across three panels Hmm Am I being unreasonable to think this is taking the proverbial? Or should I just accept it?

Also, any reliable bodyshop recommendations in the East Midlands gratefully received :)

OP posts:
Husbanddoestheironing · 23/04/2015 19:33

Have you got one of those 'paint chip restorer' services in your area? Might be worth checking if they will do it.

DragonWithAGirlTattoo · 23/04/2015 19:41

local 'main dealer' - ie costa lotta!

if you are paying for this, then get some more quotes!

stubbornstains · 23/04/2015 19:43

Avoid main dealers like the plague......

I'm Envythat you're in the Midlands for anything motor related- it's the best place, no?

Original poster
OberonTheHopeful · 23/04/2015 19:58

I wasn't aware of that about the Midlands, it's encouraging! I've used Chips Away before and they've been OK. The problem is that they're a mobile service and where I am now there's just nowhere for them to work. Would prefer a traditional bodyshop ideally.

OP posts:
Madbengalmum · 23/04/2015 20:01

Paint chip techniques in mansfield, notts used them tons and they are brilliant, and very reasonable

ghostyslovesheep · 23/04/2015 20:11

dealers are gits - I had a row with a bollard - dealer (ford) quoted £650

took it to a local body shop who did an amazing job for £180

19lottie82 · 23/04/2015 20:11

I will echo "main dealers cost a fortune". Ask around and get a recommendation for a local body shop and get them to quote.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/04/2015 20:18

My car had a dent (Dealership doesn;'t do bodywork) I went for a quote at the Body repairs that they use .......... £1000 + VAT Shock

Went to local garage .....£300.

There's taking the pi**.

richthegreatcornholio · 23/04/2015 21:08

Main dealer in overpriced shocker - who'd have thought it!? If you use the main dealer then your anti perforation warranty should remain valid, if you use another company then all bets are off.

locketpocket · 23/04/2015 21:16

Most dealers charge so much because they don't have a body shop and therefore sub-contract the work out. Some dealerships I've worked for often contracted work out to Chips Away.

The bodywork warranty depends on age and manufacturer.

Tbh £650 is a little pricey, but not extortionate for what you've described.

locketpocket · 23/04/2015 21:17

Sorry, got no idea where £650 was from Blush

Your quote is v expensive

maddening · 23/04/2015 21:19

Would accidental damage not be covered in your insurance?

Janethegirl · 23/04/2015 21:38

MARC in Melton Mowbray is reasonably priced and there is another one but can't remember it's name. It is recommended by the Vauxhall garage and is on the same industrial estate, sort if across the road from the Vauxhall garage.

Basilbrushestail · 23/04/2015 22:17

I'm watching with interest as I need a huge scratch removing from my wheel arch.

ChameleonCircuit · 23/04/2015 22:42

Are they scratches or more like scuffs? Someone scuffed my wheel arch and it looked awful, but DH managed to get rid with some Mer car polish. Worth a try before you fork out more dosh?

JemimaPuddlePop · 23/04/2015 22:52

My car had a big dent in the door...no scratches or chips at all, just a big crater about the size of a small dinner plate. No idea how it got there.

I took it to a dealership and was quoted £600...thought screw it, I'll live with the damage.

A few months later I was just leaving my parents house when a friend of my dads pulled up (who worked in a body shop unbeknown to me). He said hello, spotted my car and said 'Oof that's a whopper of a dent...mind if I have a go?'

I kind of went 'hmm umm yeah?' not knowing what he was on about. He went over to it, looked at the dent from a few angles, prodded around with his fingers for a few seconds. Then stood back, took careful aim and thwacked it with the palm of his hand with huge force (must have bloody hurt)...and the dent was gone.

I don't mean smaller, it was gone, not a trace. I was Shock

Original poster
OberonTheHopeful · 23/04/2015 23:31

OK, so it seems that (as I suspected) the dealer is taking the p**s a bit. Or a lot in fact. I'm going to try Madbengalmum's and Janethegirl's suggestions as it sounds like I'll get much better value and I'm not too far from either location. The quote included £215 (plus VAT) just for 'paint and materials'.

I could claim on insurance, but with the excess and increased premium it shouldn't be worthwhile if I get a more reasonable repair quote. Also, someone hit my car in the supermarket car park last year so I'm down on my NCD already :(

They're proper scratches (down to the undercoat), so definitely wouldn't just polish out unfortunately.

OP posts:
Floundering · 23/04/2015 23:34

I know a great bodyshop repair chap, sorted a huge dint on my bodywork for £250, I'm in East Midlands PM me if you want the details!

DistractedAgain · 24/04/2015 08:33

I can recommend Alan Perry Motors in Nottingham. I had work done here to a very high standard. This was despite charging virtually the same as someone else who's work, that I saw, was obvious a touch up job.

Original poster
OberonTheHopeful · 24/04/2015 20:42

Thanks everyone! I have a few places to try now Smile

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread