Paint Job Prices?

Baileycat

I am so ashamed to write this, but I'm looking for some opinions please

I was on my way to an interview this morning, and against my better judgement I decided to park in a local multi-storey. I misjudged the tight gap for the space I selected, and ended up scuffing the paint on the car parked next to me (a small section behind the wheel, where I caught it on my headlight). I decided to leave a note apologising profusely for the damage, and advising the driver to get in touch with me regarding costs, insurance etc. I called my mum later who advised I shouldn't have done this, and that a million other people wouldn't, but I guess I am just too honest! I took a picture of the damage just incase it is required for insurance etc.

I wonder if anyone has any experience of this kind of thing, and the costs involved - I had said in my note that if it was going to be a small job I would just pay for it myself. However my mum reckons it may be a few hundred pounds to paint over the scuff? She said anything up to £1k but I don't know if she's trying to scare me or not? I've never been involved in anything like this before & I'm worried sick about what I'm going to say when the driver calls, I feel so guilty

Worst of all, this is not a cheap runaround - the car in question is very expensive, that one might hire as part of an "experience" package. Of course it may well be owned by a wealthy person, but I just wondered if the costs & seriousness are likely to be amplified if this was a car hired as part of an experience?

I don't really even know why I'm posting this, I guess I just feel so stupid & I'd really appreciate if anyone could advise on how much it is likely to cost me. I completely accept that this is my responsibility and I WILL make sure I put it right, however I just don't know how I will afford several hundred £s in one go like this. Does the value of the car make a difference in terms of materials etc? Are my insurers likely to cover it if it is several hundred?

Thanks in advance for any helpful info. I hope the driver is reasonable & understands this was a genuine mistake, but I know if it were me I'd be incensed too!

Bravehearted_2

The person could come back and say - oh I have to change the whole wing blah blah blah. Just have to wait and see. Probably run into the hundreds.

No offence, but your mum's an ar5e. Not leaving a note is hit and run crime. Those car parks have CCTV and could potentially be traced.

Hope I never park next to her.

prowla

The problem is that it may be difficult to blend in a small area, and so paint shops tend to try and do a whole panel.

If the car had a metallic or high quality finish then it may be all the more difficult.

Baileycat

Bravehearted wrote: »

The person could come back and say - oh I have to change the whole wing blah blah blah. Just have to wait and see. Probably run into the hundreds.

No offence, but your mum's an ar5e. Not leaving a note is hit and run crime. Those car parks have CCTV and could potentially be traced.

Hope I never park next to her.

Thanks for this, at least I have an idea of what I can expect. As a matter of fact he called just a few minutes after I posted this, to let me know he is currently at the garage getting an estimate and will be in touch in a few days, so will just need to wait and see. He seemed reasonable & said I can either pay myself or get insurance involved. I think it may need to be the latter in this case :eek:

I do agree with your second point, and was personally horrified that she suggested it. Those places, as you pointed out, are full of cameras, and even if there were none I'd have done the exact same - I wouldn't be able to sleep at night worrying about how angry and upset they'd be. I've been wracked with guilt for much less :rotfl: !!

Seriously though, I hope the guy's not too pi55ed. I know I'd be.

Baileycat

prowla wrote: »

The problem is that it may be difficult to blend in a small area, and so paint shops tend to try and do a whole panel.

If the car had a metallic or high quality finish then it may be all the more difficult.

I didn't think of that, they may well need to do the whole panel. I'm not really sure... And no, it wasn't metallic, but may well have been high-quality paint given the type of car, and the fact it was gleaming, the guy obviously looks after it. I feel like a total scumbag, and kicking myself for not getting the subway - changed my mind & decided to drive in at the last minute arrgh!

s_b

at least you can sleep at night
thats the main thing
no horrible nightmares
well done:)

kingstreet

At least you can sleep safely knowing you won't be getting a S172 from HM's finest asking for driver's details for the Failing to Stop, Failing to Report and Driving Without Due Care allegations.

geoffky

kingstreet wrote: »

At least you can sleep safely knowing you won't be getting a S172 from HM's finest asking for driver's details for the Failing to Stop, Failing to Report and Driving Without Due Care allegations.

In a private car park?

Baileycat

s_b wrote: »

at least you can sleep at night
thats the main thing
no horrible nightmares
well done:)

kingstreet wrote: »

At least you can sleep safely knowing you won't be getting a S172 from HM's finest asking for driver's details for the Failing to Stop, Failing to Report and Driving Without Due Care allegations.

Thank you to both. it'll completely clean me out but I'm glad that my conscience is clear. I was worried sick about it all day, still am, I couldn't have done that for weeks on end and not felt a jot of remorse for the poor guy. I've always known honesty is the best policy and would hope I'd be offered the same courtesy if it happened to me!

Baileycat

geoffky wrote: »

In a private car park?

Would those charges not apply due to the location of the incident? :eek: if so, that's shocking!

geoffky

I was wrong...
If you're involved in an accident causes damage - even minor damage - you have an obligation to stop and give your details to the other driver, or anyone else with reasonable cause to request them. If that's not practical (eg because the other car is parked and the owner isn't around) you have to report the accident to the police as soon as possible, and certainly within 24 hours. Leaving a note under the windscreen wiper isn't sufficient - it might blow away after all. Failure to stop or report is punishable (in theory - if you seriously injure someone and then flee the scene to avoid a breath test) by 6 months in prison or (more likely for a minor shunt) a fine and points. The relevant law is here - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170 (NB a private car park is still a public place if the public have access to it).

Hitting a stationary car probably meets the definition of careless driving, though in general the police have better things to do than prosecute over minor car park bumps and will normally leave it to the insurers to sort out, provided details are exchanged.