Accident whilst car in for repair-Advice Please!!!!

jlyall

Hi all,

Got a letter this morning from the Police saying that I caused an accident and drove off on 25th February, in a part of London miles from me, and I don't even know where it is! Problem is I had taken my car in to repair a dent in the door caused by a shopping trolley at Tesco's on the 20th Feb!!

The garage is a main dealer approved place who are claiming that nobody has used my car. Two things bother me, 1. I took the car in with almost half a tank of petrol in, and when I went to collect it, it was so low that the car wouldn't start and the garage had to go and get a can of petrol so I could start the car!!
2. I was told the repair would only take 1 week (small dent), the car was in the garage for 2 weeks, which makes me wonder if they needed more time to repair any additional damage.

I went to my local Police Station this morning and gave a statement and took a letter from that garage to say that they had the car on that date. Police have ruled out number plate cloning, they wouldn't say why.

I was wondering if anybody could help me in telling me what my rights are?

• Can I ask the Police for a full report on the accident?
• Where do I stand with the garage?
• If my car was repaired due to the accident, how will I know, and what depreciation could have been caused?
• How will I know if my car was driven violently, and what mechanical checks and repairs should be carried out?
• Am I entitled to any reimbursement for any of the above?
• Should I make a Police report for taking and using my car without consent, miles away from the garage?
• Should I get a solicitor and take this matter to court?

Sorry for all the questions, but I just don't know where to turn, and I am so upset about the whole matter!!!:mad:

My car is only about a year and a half old, with 8000 miles on the clock, and I have always kept it in pristine condition, and have never driven it roughly.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated!!!!

Many thanks,

Josh

DirectDebacle

jlyall wrote: »

Hi all,

Got a letter this morning from the Police saying that I caused an accident and drove off on 25th February, in a part of London miles from me, and I don't even know where it is! Problem is I had taken my car in to repair a dent in the door caused by a shopping trolley at Tesco's on the 20th Feb!!

The garage is a main dealer approved place who are claiming that nobody has used my car. Two things bother me, 1. I took the car in with almost half a tank of petrol in, and when I went to collect it, it was so low that the car wouldn't start and the garage had to go and get a can of petrol so I could start the car!!
2. I was told the repair would only take 1 week (small dent), the car was in the garage for 2 weeks, which makes me wonder if they needed more time to repair any additional damage.

• Can I ask the Police for a full report on the accident?
• Where do I stand with the garage?
• If my car was repaired due to the accident, how will I know, and what depreciation could have been caused?
• How will I know if my car was driven violently, and what mechanical checks and repairs should be carried out?
• Am I entitled to any reimbursement for any of the above?
• Should I make a Police report for taking and using my car without consent, miles away from the garage?
• Should I get a solicitor and take this matter to court?

Any help or advice would be really appreciated!!!!

Many thanks,

Josh

The police should give details of the accident. If damage/injury were caused to the other party then it is likely that your insurers are going to hear about it. They will require details too.

As far as the garage goes, have they satisfactorily repaired the vehicle in respect of the damage you took it to be repaired for. If so pay them. If not you want it repairing properly so complain and see what they have to say. Under the circumstances they may cough up for another repairer to do it.

When you see the details of the accident you will know what damage, if any was caused in the accident. Didn't you ask the police anything about the accident when you made your statement?

If you are concerned about the safety of your vehicle or its mechanical condition have it checked by an independent motor engineer. AA/RAC different gargage/dealer.

You are entitled to re-imbursement/compensation. The garage were in effect the keepers of your vehicle for 2 weeks and were responsible for it.
I have no idea what you could claim. A good start would be to see what the weekly hire rate for a vehicle similar to yours would cost. I am sure a solicitor would build this up into a substantial amount for you.

Of course you should make a police report. I am surprised one wasn't taken at the time you made the statement. Obtain the crime reference no. you will probably need it.

If the garage deny any responsibility and the police cannot prove that they were or find the driver you may well need to sue the garage. Have you legal cover with your vehicle and/or household insurance?

davetrousers

Don't supposed you have a before and after mileage?

neilmcl

I'm not sure how the police are able to rule out cloning without actually having the offending car in their possession. Have you asked if they have any photographic evidence of the car in that area, CCTV, congestion charge camera etc? TBH, I always check the mileage when I leave my car into a garage now, in fact most repairers usually note down the mileage when they take the car in, it may be worth asking them if they recorded it so you can check to see if there's any discrepancies.