Van repair estimate seems steep!

garethw08

Long story short, rented a van from Europcar last weekend. Managed to scrap and dent the passenger door. Around 100-150mm long.

Had to pay £1000 excess, no problem as that's what I had agreed too beforehand. Went to 2 different body shops to get quotes by showing them pictures. Europcar sent photos to the garage they deal with too. I was quoted by one garage around £200-£250. 2nd garage told me if he made £400 he would've made a lot of money from it.

Had estimate back today saying £600!! I was told by the 2nd garage that it would be max 3 hours labour. They have quoted 9.5 hours at £40 per hour so that £380 for a job that should have taken 3 hours.

My question is should I take it further and tell them it's a rip off or have I got no choice?

Has anyone else had crazy quotes when dealing with hire companies?

deanos

maybe they are charging you for loss of hire,might be off the road a few days ?

colino

How much did your garage set aside for the lost opportunity costs of one of your assets not earning for an unspecified time and the hassle of taking it in and out of the fleet?

garethw08

The van has not been to the garage yet. They are still hiring it out everyday. They sent photos of the damage because it was only paint damage. On the invoice they have charged £380 labour plus £215 for paint?? Seems very steep for a scratch that is 150mm long MAX.

So you think I should just take it on the chin?

daveyjp

The van will probably never get repaired, or all the damage will be done in one go just before the van is traded.

garethw08

daveyjp wrote: »

The van will probably never get repaired, or all the damage will be done in one go just before the van is traded.

Surely that's theft then if they are charging me £600 for a job that is never done?? Or am I wrong?

facade

That is how hire firms make their money, you damaged their property, you pay to get it fixed, including if they wish, the hire charge for the time it is in the workshop, as it is your fault that someone else can't use it and pay a hire fee.


Next time, pay the damage waiver, and factor it into the hire cost when comparing deals.
If you pay this "extra" they won't even look for minor damage when you take it back.

As Daveyjp says, they likely save up a few scrapes and have them all repaired at the same time.

Theft, no. Sharp practise, yes.

garethw08

facade wrote: »

That is how hire firms make their money, you damaged their property, you pay to get it fixed, including if they wish, the hire charge for the time it is in the workshop, as it is your fault that someone else can't use it and pay a hire fee.


Next time, pay the damage waiver, and factor it into the hire cost when comparing deals.
If you pay this "extra" they won't even look for minor damage when you take it back.

As Daveyjp says, they likely save up a few scrapes and have them all repaired at the same time.

Theft, no. Sharp practise, yes.

Thanks for the comments. Yep first time hiring a vehicle and turned down the £16 extra fee to bring the excess down to £250. Remember saying to the girl 'ahh I don't plan on bumping it'! Famous last words. Will just have to take it on the chin and put it down as a lesson learnt.

Only reason I rented a van was because I didn't want to pay a removals company. Turns out I'm paying double the removals companies quote. That's life 😊

facade

You are by no means alone.
Another sharp practise is to "notice" a minor scrape at return time that is not in the damage log/collection report.
When the hirer complains that they couldn't possibly have done it, the reply is "It could easily have happened when you were not in the vehicle"

Some hire firms have a reputation for this.


As to your original post, yes £600 is dear for a scratch, you can try complaining to the hire firm, brandishing your quotes, but they can get it repaired where they want, even at their own garage that is very slow, and charges £100 an hour.

nobbysn*ts

facade wrote: »

You are by no means alone.
Another sharp practise is to "notice" a minor scrape at return time that is not in the damage log/collection report.
When the hirer complains that they couldn't possibly have done it, the reply is "It could easily have happened when you were not in the vehicle"

Some hire firms have a reputation for this.


As to your original post, yes £600 is dear for a scratch, you can try complaining to the hire firm, brandishing your quotes, but they can get it repaired where they want, even at their own garage that is very slow, and charges £100 an hour.

They can't. They need to mitigate their loss. They get away without because of that attitude. Money claim online for the difference. See what they settle for then.

bigjl

It is a brand new or nearly new van.

If somebody hit your new or nearly new van would you want a cheap £200 repair whichwould leave the panel full of filler?

Or would you want the panel fully replaced with new and repaired in such a way as residual values are maintained?