Accident today! (Repaired then hit again!)

[tanbe174]

Don't know if my insurance got hiked up . Had my side windows smashed not long ago by a burglar who stole my GPS.


In February, I had a guy at Tesco claiming that I scratched his door lol. The guy was actually in his car sleeping and when I closed/banged my door he freaked out . He came out of his car, took a look and said that I scratched his side door and told me to take a look.
I laughed at him and I told him that my door can't even reach the scratch/spot (opened my door and showed him).

He freaked out and wrote down my plate number. although no use cause I had 'German plates' that day !!! 
I told him to **** off and I minded my own business and went buying groceries lol xD

[Ron, Edition30]

Hi Guys,

Thought I'd update this thread. Had the car repaired at Acton Coachworks (VW approved) about a month ago. Had a few issues initially with the repair (orange peel in the lacquer, rear window not flush with the tailgate, roof edge spoiler was not refitted in the correct position and the whole tailgate was sitting below roof level by about 5mm). Only concern I thought I'd have before the repair was the new paint color match but this actually looks spot on...

Remedial repair work resolved these issues in the end and was happy with the final result. £1100 repair claimed dirtectly from the 3rd parties insurance who admitted full liability. Before and after pictures below.

Before Repair:


After Repair:


Then two days ago I was stationary at a red traffic signal when a bicyclist rode straight into the back of the car. He's put four small dents in the new tailgate with his handlebars and a couple of small scratches  . No witnesses to the incident either.

He apologised etc etc, said his back brake had a problem??!?, I have his details and he has said he will pay for the repairs. I'm now looking at repair quotes. Went back to Acton coachworks for a repair estimate. £900 repair requiring a full respray!!! Had another estimate from another VW bodyshop saying £85 for the dents removal and £25 paint touchup.

Anyone have any views on paintless dent removal for the damage below? Currently waiting for a few more VW approved bodyshops to get back to me with estimates.









I am hoping that a paintless dent removal repair will sort these out without needing a full respray, it would be a nightmare to claim from him for a full respray. Claiming through my insurance is not a viable option either as it would be cheaper for me to pay for the full respray repair out of my own pocket, rather than take the £300 excess hit and potential 3 years NCB suspension if he disputed liability.

Any views on the damage and repair would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ron 

[Poppa Dom]

Feel for you - having a bit of bad luck   I would be getting in touch with the person and be totally honest and up front about the two quotes that you have and where things currently lie. Is there any mileage in getting an agreement in writing about him paying for the dent removal and subsequent touch up - if they do a good job, end of story if it is not considered acceptable then paying the difference to then have the full repair done. I would have though from seeing the pictures of those dents that a good bodyshop may well be able to pull them successfully. It is giving him options and recognising a way forward but if he has clearly stated a problem with his brakes then it's clear cut where the blame lies, though getting an adequate resolution may well be tough - all depends on the good nature/morality of the cyclist.

[P80RSY]

  Feel sorry for you but a bit of a note,

I had my car done a few weeks back by a dent remover and did a fantastic job on most but level with the VW boot badge there is an inside support, although the dent in my car was in the same place it's 90% out but not 100% perfect but i couldn't complain at £60 for the full car to be done.

Hope you get it sorted

[Ron, Edition30]

Thanks DomT, at the roadside I had told him that it just had a new tailgate fitted for £1000, this left him with the impression that that is what it was gona cost him, so he's now being carefull about what he says and won't formally admit liability.

I have said as I presumed that the damage could be repaired reasonably cheaply, however got quite a shock with the £900 repair estimate and them saying that just a dent removal and paint touchup would not be to VW standards for this specific damage. £100 paintless dent removal bill would be alot easier to get him to agree.

Hoping that it can all be fixed without a costly respray.

P80RSY thanks, I also have my old tailgate which I kept as an old panel to practise on when I eventually get a polisher. Had a look behind and the areas of the dents are accessible from the inside once the trims off.

Cheers
Ron

[P80RSY]

If the areas are accessible then i'd say thet you would be 100% happy with a good dent remover, i has some taken out that were really bad and was happy with the results.

Good luck getting it sorted

[stealthwolf]

The VW dealers round my area use Dent Devils i believe. Ask them.

[winrya]

They will take those dents out with ease, I'd definately take that route!!!

[cmdrfire]

I think those dents will come out okay, as long as there's no deep scratching of paint you shouldn't notice.

[CaptainJack]

Why are these idiots trying to sabotage your beautiful motor!!!

[scooba]

I have had three dents removed by the dent magician and found them really good.my advice is try them first and then decide if you require a respray on the tailgate .

[SO8]

I am sure a dent man will be able to remove those dents .... but if not the cyclist is going to have to pay !

He can keep quiet about liability as much as he likes .... the fact is he went into the back of you .... so it is down to him. 

Is he insured ?  I am through a cycling organisation .... it comes free with membership ....

[Greeners]

At the end of the day he has no Insurance as such so I'm afraid you may have to bite the bullet and go the cheaper route and hope for the best as there will be no way your going to get £1000 out of a cyclist when there was no independant witness! 

Feel for you dude but just put it down to experiance and move on!