help. i've just pranged my car!

franksmammy

Right, there's a bit of a back story here, I will try to keep it brief.
Beginning December, our car was hit and the driver drove off. As damage was substantial, we put it through our insurers for repair. The fix was meant to take 2 weeks, but there were delays in that the garage was unable to make our parking sensors fit the new bumper supplied. Eventually, just prior to Christmas, our car was returned without the sensors fitted correctly and the garage said they would sort them in the new year. For the last fortnight, we have been contacting both garage and insurers to Chase up the repair, but told they are waiting for parts!
I think you can see where this is going, but I'll carry on...
I have this morning, reversed the car into a wall, damaging paintwork on the wheel arch. Do you think I may have any comeback at the garage for failing to return our car completely fixed?
N.B. I am pregnant and v emotional, please do not berate me too much for my bad driving. I have a husband who can do that this evening!

hubert_cumberdale

did they refit the sensors or just leave them out?

if they were fitted were they indicating how far the wall was away (but incorrectly)

or did you just simply reverse into the wall because there were no sensors to guide you



i dont think you will have a come back if they werent actually reading anything as it would be your fault as you were in charge and should be able to reverse a car un aided

but if they were saying it was 2 meters away and it was only 2 inches away then that may lay in there hands

clever_username

I'd have a cup of tea or coffee and calm down. It's only a lump of metal and you have something that's far more important in your belly that is safe and uninjured. That's the main thing.

Quentin

You can't blame the garage because you hit a wall!

(You knew the car had no sensors fitted)

neilmcl

The parking sensors are not supposed to be a replacement for driving with due care and attention I'm afraid - even when you have them working. You have no comback at all against the garage and I'm surprised you're even asking tbh.

franksmammy

The sensors were not fitted and I guess it was our choice to take the car back in an incomplete state. I think I was clutching at straws really. Thanks.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

franksmammy wrote: »

Right, there's a bit of a back story here, I will try to keep it brief.
Beginning December, our car was hit and the driver drove off. As damage was substantial, we put it through our insurers for repair. The fix was meant to take 2 weeks, but there were delays in that the garage was unable to make our parking sensors fit the new bumper supplied. Eventually, just prior to Christmas, our car was returned without the sensors fitted correctly and the garage said they would sort them in the new year. For the last fortnight, we have been contacting both garage and insurers to Chase up the repair, but told they are waiting for parts!
I think you can see where this is going, but I'll carry on...
I have this morning, reversed the car into a wall, damaging paintwork on the wheel arch. Do you think I may have any comeback at the garage for failing to return our car completely fixed?
N.B. I am pregnant and v emotional, please do not berate me too much for my bad driving. I have a husband who can do that this evening!

are you serious?

1. they informed you that they arent fitted/working untill the part comes in.
2.driver error.


go back to the repairers, tell them you dinked it and ask for quote for private fix. they can do the sensors at the same time under insurance but not your prang unless you do through insurers? but i'd pay out fo the fix myself. did you damage the wall? if so you have to give the wall/property owner your insurers details to fix it.

Flyboy152

Sorry Franksmammy, but the sensors are there to aid parking, not to tell you when to stop. You knew they weren't working and as an experienced driver you are required to know the size of the vehicle you are driving. I know it is frustrating and extremely annoying, but that is how any court will view the issue. You may have a case against the repairer for any losses caused by the delay in fixing your car, but you will have to prove a loss caused by the delay (loss of earnings etc.), not the becasue of the inoperative parking sensors.

Hammyman

franksmammy wrote: »

I have this morning, reversed the car into a wall, damaging paintwork on the wheel arch. Do you think I may have any comeback at the garage for failing to return our car completely fixed?
N

No. You had mirrors and MK1 eyeball to use. You knew the reversing sensors didn't work.

In short, you're in the position in because quite simply, you can't drive.

Flyboy152

As an aside, it might be worth your while to negotiate a deal with the repairers. Talk to them calmly and logically. Explain what happend and play a little on their conscience. Play the pregnancy card (you've got it, you might as well use it ). They just might feel guilty enough to fix it for a fraction of their normal rate.

Flyboy152

Hammyman wrote: »

No. You had mirrors and MK1 eyeball to use. You knew the reversing sensors didn't work.

In short, you're in the position in because quite simply, you can't drive.

What an unfair and mean post. Try to have some sympathy, have you never bumped into something when reversing?