Car Wash disaster

Adam12345

Hi guys

I went through the car wash yesterday in my non-altered mini. Unfortunately there was an almighty noise and the bloody thing ripped off my rear spoiler! I'm naturally getting a quote for a replacement etc but are the car wash liable? I'm sure they'll be some disclaimer but seems a bit extreme!

Cheers

Buzby

Ask them - you may get a non liability goodwill gesture, but you should be doing what astute motorists have been doing for years - getting a hand wash and avoiding the machinery!

System

first of all, never ever use a car wash, they are very harsh on the paint work of your car...
Any I've seen (usually attached to supermarkets) tend to have notices up to say that cars with spoilers shouldn't use the car wash, I'm sure they will have a disclaimer somewhere

apesxx

My friends think I'm silly coz I refuse to use one of those. It's more the driving into it that terrifies me but I would still worry in case it wrecked my car.

forgotmyname

Was it a managed one, Or a self service drive through type?

My local one has guys running around like whippets, They clean the wheels and arches that the machine seems to miss. They also remove the roof antenna before you drive through or tell you not to go in if it cannot be removed.

McKneff

apesxx wrote: »

My friends think I'm silly coz I refuse to use one of those. It's more the driving into it that terrifies me but I would still worry in case it wrecked my car.

And I thought I was the only one who felt like this :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

albionrovers

The car wash will ask you to contact head office. Head office will then ask you to contact the car wash. The car wash will then ask you to contact head office .... in frustration, you then header a brick wall and get your head stitched up.

Adam12345

Yeah thought you would say that about the disclaimer thing. I'e approached the store manager who was helpful and thinks there may be some compensation.

Learned my lesson the hard way. Might contact local press to spread the word!

vikingaero

albionrovers wrote: »

The car wash will ask you to contact head office. Head office will then ask you to contact the car wash. The car wash will then ask you to contact head office .... in frustration, you then header a brick wall and get your head stitched up.

Not only that. The Head Office will refer the matter to their Insurers who will decline the claim and pass you back to the Head Office.

Most car washes work on the basis of denying liability. They will claim that this has never happened before, never happened to your type of car, never blah blah.

Your contract is with the garage owner that sold you the token/code to use in the car wash. This is what you do:

(1) Get a quote
(2) Write to them giving the a copy of the quote and give them 14 days to pay up.
(3) Issue a Letter Before Action after 14 days giving them a further 14 days before legal action.
(4) Issue a Money Claim Online Court Action.

They will probably write a letter claiming they are investigating/bluffing/BSing.

If the garage wants their Insurer to deal with it they will have to pass the Court Summons to them to deal with. It's up to the selling garage to take the matter up with the manufacturer, the manufacturers Insurers or anyone else they want to involve or bluff you with.

Adam12345

Just thought I'd update you all. The supernarket paid up in full. No hassle at all. Excellent custome service.