Lifetime Guarantee on Car Body Repairs - Can I claim back?

Money_Hunny

My car was involved in a minor collision in 2002 and the Insurance Company arranged for the repair at a local garage. The body repairs were done under the Garages' 'Lifetime Guarantee'. However, now a large section of paintwork, below the bumper, has begun to peel off and it looks horrendous!

I do not have a paper copy of the guarantee - do I have any hope of getting the paintwork repaired under the terms of the Lifetime Guarantee?

Before you answer....

IMPORTANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In 2002, the car was owned by my parents. (Owned from new) My mother was driving at the time of the accident - another driver hit her passenger-side wing/door/bumper. They had the car repaired, through their insurance company. Following the repair work, the Garage presented my father with a detailed list of the exact repairs they made, which they would then forward to the Insurance Company for payment, etc.

As an mechanic himself, with 30-years experience of body spraying/panel-beating, my father pointed out several faults on the 'repaired' car including:

• An 'orange-peel' effect on the bonnet paintwork (Caused by only applying ONE coat of paint, rather than the required TWO that were listed on their Invoice)
• The 'brand-new' grille (which had been billed for on the invoice) still had dust/road-grime behind it... they had merely polished up the original grille (rather badly, as it seemed) and tried to pass it off as a new.

The garage were rather flustered at being caught out, but eventually, these issues were rectified and my parents had their car returned.

In 2005, they bought a new car and I took offical ownership of their old one.

My father has since seen the peeling paintwork on "his" old car, and is convinced that it is caused by Garages' sloppy workmanship (no undercoat?)and feels very strongly that a Lifetime Guarantee, should mean just that. However, he no longer has the paper Guarantee for the repair work....

Is there still a way to go about getting the Garage to repair the paintwork?

If my father was to take the damaged car back to the Garage, would they have a record of work undertaken under the original insurance claim?

If, so can he insist that, "You lot repaired this vehicle under a Lifetime Guarantee, but now the paintwork is shearing off - I want it fixed!" Even if (technically) he is no longer the Registered Keeper?

My car is now 14years old and I doubt the Garage involved expected it to 'live' this long! I know the effort and heartache that involved in getting it repaired, are likely to far outway the cars value - but due to our previous experiences with said Garage, my father and I would like to pursue the issue as a matter of principle! Also, my car is mechanically very, very sound (as you would expect!!) and I am expecting several more years of problem-free motoring out of her yet.

Please help me keep an 'old lady' looking as good as she deserves to!

I would really appreciate your advice.

Thanks,

Hintza

Was guarantee transferable?

Without paper work I imagine they will wriggle out and if not then they will claim it is not a problem caused by their repairs. So I imagine you will have to decide how much of a fight to put up.

But I think the parerwork may be crucial!

mcjordi

usually these types of guarantee are for the owner of the car at the time and are generally non transferable, without paper work i think you'll find it hard to take any further

steveo3002

id get dad to take it back , lifetime warrenty means just that

as long as theres no evidence that youve recently hit something causing the paint to crack and peel up

Chippie

Money_Hunny wrote: »

My car was involved in a minor collision in 2002 and the Insurance Company arranged for the repair at a local garage. The body repairs were done under the Garages' 'Lifetime Guarantee'. However, now a large section of paintwork, below the bumper, has begun to peel off and it looks horrendous!

Hiya! Could I offer a few comments here (I have a car body repair business). The lower part of the front bumper is particularly susceptible to stone chipping which can cause peeling. If there are signs of chipping (which after 5 or 6 years there will be) then the repairer will use this as a get out clause anyway.

I do not have a paper copy of the guarantee - do I have any hope of getting the paintwork repaired under the terms of the Lifetime Guarantee?

If you have no paperwork, you have no chance, sorry.

An 'orange-peel' effect on the bonnet paintwork (Caused by only applying ONE coat of paint, rather than the required TWO that were listed on their Invoice)

Orange peel is caused by the application process, not by the layers of paint. You can have orange peel in one layer of paint or 6 layers of paint! Many cars (especially Ford) have terrible orange peel when they are brand new!

Is there still a way to go about getting the Garage to repair the paintwork?

Only if the repairer is feeling extremely benevolent!

If my father was to take the damaged car back to the Garage, would they have a record of work undertaken under the original insurance claim?

Maybe, but they are under no obligation to provide it as you have already been given a copy.

If, so can he insist that, "You lot repaired this vehicle under a Lifetime Guarantee, but now the paintwork is shearing off - I want it fixed!" Even if (technically) he is no longer the Registered Keeper?

Not if he is not the registered keeper. Virtually all vehicle warranties are non transferable.

My car is now 14years old

I don't think any reasonable person would expect a 14 year old car not to have some sort of bodywork defects! It's probably got many in other areas which are nothing to do with the repairs.

Sorry but I think you are wasting your time here. Be realistic, you are unlikely to get any sympathy from the repairer, although he is stupid to offer a lifetime guarantee when the industry standard is 2 or 3 years, depending on which professional body you are registered with. In fact lifetime guarantee in such matters is normally limited to the lifetime of ownership and your father no longer owns the car! The insurance company won't be of any assistance as their requirement is only for a 2 or 3 year guarantee to be offered by the repairer. After that they will be of no assistance. Sorry I couldn't be more positive but I really do think that pursuing this will be a waste of time. Put it behind you and move on.

hewhoisnotintheknow

worth a try, but dont hold your breathe

Money_Hunny

Thank you for all your replies, everyone.

I had a strong suspicion that without the supporting paperwork, it would be a bit of a lost cause.... seems that, "Get over it, love - you've got no chance!" is the common response!

Ah, well. (Hmmm...I'd best let the old man know too, before he gets too far down the war-path!)

Appreciate your input, Chippie *accepts defeat graciously*