Dent in lease car - question around repair

[Deleted User]

Hi all,
I lease a VW Golf, currently in my last year of contract (ends in 11 months). This is my first lease and (until recently) so far, so good. While parked, another car pranged my car door with theirs - dented and scratched. Of course, no details left.
I have went to the VW approved repairer closest to me - they have quoted £650 for the fix. However, another VW approved garage has recommended a local independent body shop (they said it would be fine to do this!). I had been under the impression that you had to use the VW for any repairs, however, tempted to go with the independent as the cost will likely be far lower. Has anyone here had any experience of fixing a lease car with an independent, rather than approved garage? Is it the type of thing that you're likely to be picked up on when you return the car?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you're able to provide.

Car_54

Whoever does the repair, it should not be detectable when the car is returned.

AdrianC

If the repair is competent, how will they know it even happened, let alone who did it?

ThePrrry

Always worth checking with the Lease company if they have a menu of charges for when a car is returned damaged, quite often this can be less than the cost of getting it fixed. Friend just had damage to the wing and bonnet of an Audi A4 with a quote of £1500 to repair but only £138 charge per panel for damage.

BOWFER

The guidelines usually are that the dent can only be quite small, I can never remember if it's a 20p size or a £1 coin size, but the lease companies often send you a template to hold over dents.
But IIRC, there can't be any paint damage associated with the dent.
Sounds like your repair will flat outside the 'reasonable wear and tear guidelines', but no way would I use the dearest option.
As someone else has said, any repair should be undetectable and therefore how will they even know...?

motorguy

BOWFER said:

The guidelines usually are that the dent can only be quite small, I can never remember if it's a 20p size or a £1 coin size, but the lease companies often send you a template to hold over dents.
But IIRC, there can't be any paint damage associated with the dent.
Sounds like your repair will flat outside the 'reasonable wear and tear guidelines', but no way would I use the dearest option.
As someone else has said, any repair should be undetectable and therefore how will they even know...?

What may be "undetectable" to the average consumer could stand out a mile to the assessor.  Thats the issue.

TBH theres incredibly few paint repairs that wont be detectable.

Also, i've heard of them using paint depth gauges on cars to confirm if a panel has been painted.  They could then ask for confirmation that was done to manufacturers standards.

Not saying there "will" be an issue, but that scenario needs to be factored in.

BOWFER

motorguy said:

What may be "undetectable" to the average consumer could stand out a mile to the assessor.  Thats the issue.

TBH theres incredibly few paint repairs that wont be detectable.

Also, i've heard of them using paint depth gauges on cars to confirm if a panel has been painted.  They could then ask for confirmation that was done to manufacturers standards.

Not saying there "will" be an issue, but that scenario needs to be factored in.

At what point does this "assessor" come into play?
My experience of returning lease/PCP cars, which is quite a few over many years, is that the guy collecting them has a quick look around, notes any obvious damage and then goes on his merry way, the cars usually going straight to an auction site.
If there's a more detailed examination after collection, I've not heard of it and I'd love to see them try and sting me for damage after collection has been made and all signed for.

motorguy

BOWFER said:

motorguy said:

What may be "undetectable" to the average consumer could stand out a mile to the assessor.  Thats the issue.

TBH theres incredibly few paint repairs that wont be detectable.

Also, i've heard of them using paint depth gauges on cars to confirm if a panel has been painted.  They could then ask for confirmation that was done to manufacturers standards.

Not saying there "will" be an issue, but that scenario needs to be factored in.

At what point does this "assessor" come into play?
My experience of returning lease/PCP cars, which is quite a few over many years, is that the guy collecting them has a quick look around, notes any obvious damage and then goes on his merry way, the cars usually going straight to an auction site.
If there's a more detailed examination after collection, I've not heard of it and I'd love to see them try and sting me for damage after collection has been made and all signed for.

I've probably used the wrong word but its when they do the more detailed check when they physically get the car back - that might be at the auction site - not the bloke who picks it up.

And yes, they will bill people from that "assessment" . 

BOWFER

motorguy said:

I've probably used the wrong word but its when they do the more detailed check when they physically get the car back - that might be at the auction site - not the bloke who picks it up.

And yes, they will bill people from that "assessment" . 

I must have been fortunate, never had a bill back from any lease/PCP company.
Seems legally fishy though, trying to put damage on you after a stranger has driven it hundreds of miles.....
I suppose this is as good an argument for taking multiple photos/videos of the car before it leaves you.

motorguy

BOWFER said:

motorguy said:

I've probably used the wrong word but its when they do the more detailed check when they physically get the car back - that might be at the auction site - not the bloke who picks it up.

And yes, they will bill people from that "assessment" . 

I must have been fortunate, never had a bill back from any lease/PCP company.
Seems legally fishy though, trying to put damage on you after a stranger has driven it hundreds of miles.....
I suppose this is as good an argument for taking multiple photos/videos of the car before it leaves you.

Yes, it sounds like you look after your cars / know precisely what they will be looking for.

I think Mercedes are quite reknowned for it IIRC.  They will invoice people after the return for damage to the car.  

And yes, i'd be taking a load of pictures on the day of pickup.

Penelopa.Pitstop

Is car leasing via VWFS? They have very resonable charges and it may not be worth repairing it at all. Read here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=86&t=1720606&i=0

And here's their pricing. It's for Audi, but it's the same for VAG group: https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/content/dam/bluelabel/valid/www-vwfs-co-uk/documents/self-serve-documents/audi-self-serve-docs/Audi Damage Charges.pdf

Panel (Doors, Sills, Wings, Tailgate, Bonnet, Roof), Dented (Paint damage, regardless of diameter/swage line),  Repair and Refinish, Per Panel, £138.00