Wayside St Albans VW dealer damage my car

Rado16v

Wanted to share this with everyone and warn you!

Dropped the car (mk4 golf) to the dealers friday morning for a service. Parked outside with the near side on the kerb. I walked around it as I always do to give it a once over and it was immaculate.

Had a call from the service manager saying the car has a fresh hard scratch on the front bumper nearside following a bodywork inspection and whether it was there from before. No way was it there from before. He said he'll check cctv and call back. He called back shortly and said that the cars been traced from the front of the dealership to the workshop and it hadn't been hit.

I couldn't wait till the end of the day to collect the car so left work to see the damge. The damage was a scrape on the near side front bumper leaving white and red paint and a white dust, so couldn't be a another car. It couldn't have happened while it was parked outside as the that side was against the kerb.

The CCTV footage was poor, not showing the entirety of the duration from when the car was driven to the workshop. The service manager said the car was with the technician for 3 mins and it couldn't have happened then. Errr yes, you could wipe out a whole street of cars in half that time.

It's come to my word against theirs. They were cheeky enough to ask if I wanted a quote for a repair!

I asked why all cars were not inspected with the owners present. "Its not our policy to inspect cars with the owners" was their response. Thats quite shocking really, surely it should be to just cover their and cusotmers !!!!!!?

Lesson to be learnt, ALWAYS insist on a inspection with the technician before you hand them the keys. I'm kicking myself.

I'll be writing them a letter and cc VW.

Avoid these cowboys.

golddustmedia

Sorry to hear that, you must be gutted.

If you want to take a scientific approach. Get a tape measure or stick etc and measure the height above ground of the scratch. Then go around the car dealership with that measurement and check for obstructions at the appropriate height.

When a work colleague got their car knocked in the car park and no body admitted it they did just that using a wooden metre stick. They identified 2 cars with damage at the appropriate height, but only 1 was the right colour!
Contacted the owner who sheepishly admitted it and "forgot to leave a note".

Anyway, should you find a barrier etc at exactly the right height then you might just be in luck.

Rado16v

golddustmedia wrote: »

Sorry to hear that, you must be gutted.

If you want to take a scientific approach. Get a tape measure or stick etc and measure the height above ground of the scratch. Then go around the car dealership with that measurement and check for obstructions at the appropriate height.

When a work colleague got their car knocked in the car park and no body admitted it they did just that using a wooden metre stick. They identified 2 cars with damage at the appropriate height, but only 1 was the right colour!
Contacted the owner who sheepishly admitted it and "forgot to leave a note".

Anyway, should you find a barrier etc at exactly the right height then you might just be in luck.

Can't believe that worked. Unfortunately, where the dealer is its all gated up and I think they would have issues me doing this. I did however look to see if there was anythign they could have hit but there wasn't on the outside.

golddustmedia

Well the other alternative is that a 2nd hand Mk4 golf bumper is typically under £50 and if you've got a common colour you should get away without painting it. Try http://www.volkswagenspares.co.uk/ as they're in the south east. Their website is dreadful but they are helpful and cheap. I got a Mk3 golf bumper from them about 4 years ago for £30 in the right colour. Changing a bumper on a VW is very easy, just a few screws/bolts.

golddustmedia

In fact they have front bumpers for £40 + VAT: http://www.volkswagenspares.co.uk/second.php

Alternatively if your bumper isn't misshaped then Chips away or a similar "auto detailer" will probably make good for under £50.

Rado16v

Thanks, thats an option. Spraying up the bumper will cost £150+

woohoo_postingid

I would definitely go back with a tape measure as has been suggested.

I would go in and speak to the manager and ask him to accompany you on a tour round to see where this could have happened. If they kick up a stink, tell them you are going to the police to report criminal damage.

Don't just accept this

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Sorry but you cant prove the dealer is responsible

You parked on a public road, so any one passing could have done it

The fact the dealer checked footage etc suggests to me they genuinely didnt do it

Its a case for insurance

Rado16v

Iamthesmartestmanalive wrote: »

Sorry but you cant prove the dealer is responsible

You parked on a public road, so any one passing could have done it

The fact the dealer checked footage etc suggests to me they genuinely didnt do it

Its a case for insurance

Not possible. That side of the car was up on the kerb.

I walked around the car before I left it and there was not a mark. Wouldn't be a good idea going down the insurance route as I'll have to pay the £150 excess and it will effect my premium come renewal time. I can probably get it repaired for that.

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Rado16v wrote: »

Not possible. That side of the car was up on the kerb.

I walked around the car before I left it and there was not a mark. Wouldn't be a good idea going down the insurance route as I'll have to pay the £150 excess and it will effect my premium come renewal time. I can probably get it repaired for that.

Actually it is possible

Its maybe not likely, but its possible

Maybe someone vandalised it, maybe a street cleaner on the pavement did it, maybe a mobility scooter, maybe a bicycle etc

The fact is you left it on a public road and have no proof the damage was down to the dealer.

Also ask yourself this, if it was them why would they tell you about CCTV footage etc?

They wouldnt

You either need to claim your insurance or live with it/pay it

You dont have a claim as you have no proof, this is why insurance exists

Rado16v

Iamthesmartestmanalive wrote: »

Actually it is possible

Its maybe not likely, but its possible

Maybe someone vandalised it, maybe a street cleaner on the pavement did it, maybe a mobility scooter, maybe a bicycle etc

The fact is you left it on a public road and have no proof the damage was down to the dealer.

Also ask yourself this, if it was them why would they tell you about CCTV footage etc?

They wouldnt

You either need to claim your insurance or live with it/pay it

You dont have a claim as you have no proof, this is why insurance exists

You're right, it is possible but highly unlikely. More so, given where the dealership is, in a busniess park.

It was parked on the public road, a long with all the other VWs that were parked there. The car park was full and cramp.

My biggest issue is why a bodywork inspection was not carried on the car while I was there - which I know now is standard procedure in most delaer and garages.Yes, I know I could have requested one now (as it was pointed out to me later) but I was never given the option when I dropped it off.

It is actually possible they knew they damaged the car and it was not caught on cctv which is why it was suggested. I've done searches on other car forums and this dealership is notorious for poor service.