Damaged Wingmirror & man gone AWOL - what can I do ????

blued

If you meant a used mirror then yes £40 would be reasonable for the cost of mirror and fitting if you could find one the right colour. I'd be happy with that type of replacement if someone damaged the mirror on my 9yr old Golf. However if I had a new car I'd want a new replacement. The O/P hasn't stated the age or make/model of car though.

CHR15

Agreed, I wouldn't pay anyone to fit a wing mirror!!

anewman

CHR15 wrote: »

Agreed, I wouldn't pay anyone to fit a wing mirror!!

Congratulations! However, to the average person it is a mystery how to do it. Why buy a Haynes manual, struggle with bits of trim and torx screws etc for over an hour when you can pay someone else to sort it?!

mummylonglegs

Hi all,

It was my beloved new VW Touran (I saved up for ages for it and I love my car!) so no I'm afraid I would not have wanted him to put 2nd hand/ebay ones on it! Like BlueD said if it was my 10 yr old banger I would not have minded, but unfortunately that was not the case. And no I would not be able to fit one myself!

As Kurtis-Blue suggested, it came to £162 because it had to be painted so included labour. I actually tried German & Swedish but the car was too new for parts to be available through those channels so the broken casing had to be ordered in. I am quite convinced the repair cost was reasonable - it is a reputable garage. (Actually I have paid more than that for a wing mirror with fancy electrics - although needless to say I did not hit anyone else's car!)

So that was the cost of repairing the damage he did. My insurance company won't do anything because it is under my excess. I am frustrated that he is not returning any of my calls/emails/letters, and it just does not feel right that he should be able to cause damage and get away with it.

I think I will go down the Small Claims route, although that feels a bit scary - I have never done anything like that before.

Thought I’d try the Citizens Advice Bureau but I can’t get through – are they worth the trouble?

Kurtis_Blue

Couldnt be easier, send the letter recorded stating 10 days to pay damage with copy of invoice, if he has sense he will

A, Pay
B, Pass to his insurance.

In the letter state that on the 10th day after delivery you "WILL commence action in the county court", "this MAY include incresed cost to you"

On the 10th day goto https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp and file a claim takes 10 minutes max.

Job done very very easy, he may be an absolute scum bag and you will never get your money back however you will feel (hopefully) better for not rolling over.

vikingaero

CHR15 wrote: »

Breakers yard, Ebay, manufacturers member forums for sale pages etc etc. depends what is broke... £40 seems reasonable to me

Unless it is a weird colour, like you said £20 from ebay.

If someone damages your car you are entitled to go where you like to get it repaired - even a main dealer. You don't have to trawl breakers yards or eBay.

I'm not sure where you get your prices from Chris but a mirror from a dealer for an A-Class Merc is £55, let alone the housing, electrics, painting, etc etc.

mummylonglegs

Thanks for your advice DirectDebacle & Kurtis_Blue. I have written a Letter Before Action and if that gets no response then I will go down the Small Claims route. As you say Kurtis_Blue, at least then I'm not just rolling over - and isn't that what this website is all about?

Anyhow I shall keep you posted.

PS. I looked up the barcode on the last letter I sent him, which I sent recorded delivery... (Royal Mail actually scan & upload the signatures) - anyway he DID get it, he signed for it himself!

missile

Pleased to hear you are pursuing the claim. Please don't feel intimidated by the small claims procedure. The forms may look complicated, but there are instructions on line and clerk to the court will give you advice.

I have been to small claims court twice and won both cases against a car dealer and a trye fitting company. The car dealer sent a solicitor, so I was very apprehensive. He was big on words but short on facts :-)