Hi,

Last year my wife scraped our 08 reg Fabia 2 1.2 (Anthracite Grey) on a column in a car park. Unfortunately she managed to scrape the end of the wing mirror, and the edge of both the driver door and front wing. It was relatively minor but because she got three panels, include a slight dent on one of them, a VAG approved bodywork place quoted approximately £350 to repair it.

We haven't had it repaired until now because it's annoying but not the end of the world. I 'own' the car on a Skoda Solutions finance package so will give it back next year. What I wanted to know was whether the penalty when I return it is likely to be more or less than getting it repaired? I can live with the scrape but if it's going to cost me more than the repair cost next year then I'll get it done.

I can provide photos when I get home tonight, if anyone wants to see it.

Thanks,

Dave

Hi,

Last year my wife scraped our 08 reg Fabia 2 1.2 (Anthracite Grey) on a column in a car park. Unfortunately she managed to scrape the end of the wing mirror, and the edge of both the driver door and front wing. It was relatively minor but because she got three panels, include a slight dent on one of them, a VAG approved bodywork place quoted approximately £350 to repair it.

We haven't had it repaired until now because it's annoying but not the end of the world. I 'own' the car on a Skoda Solutions finance package so will give it back next year. What I wanted to know was whether the penalty when I return it is likely to be more or less than getting it repaired? I can live with the scrape but if it's going to cost me more than the repair cost next year then I'll get it done.

I can provide photos when I get home tonight, if anyone wants to see it.

Thanks,

Dave

From memory your allowed a certain number of marks etc per panel that can only be a couple of CM long, it might be worth reading your documents. Im guessing solutions being VAG would probably charge you the same price as the dealer ??

From memory your allowed a certain number of marks etc per panel that can only be a couple of CM long, it might be worth reading your documents. Im guessing solutions being VAG would probably charge you the same price as the dealer ??

Ok, thanks. Having just found the loan agreement it just says that I am responsible for all damage to the vehicle (as I would have expected) but doesn't say anything more specific than that.

Hi, we had a similar situation a few years ago. Just before returning the car a van reversed into us and left a small hole in the plastic bumper. We had just a week until it was being collected so I had no time to repair it. I was however quoted 120 quid to repair it by a local bodyshop I have used before but he needed two weeks to book us in. On returning the car unrepaired we we charged 500 quid for the damage. I would certainly look at getting a repair prior to return from my experience. They are likely to sting you.

Ok, thanks for the warning. Looks like I'll have to get it done!

Ok, thanks for the warning. Looks like I'll have to get it done!

unless your planning to keep the car obviously, im guessing however your going to chop it in?

Yes...I agree with Jason. Having worked in the trade I can tell you that any charges for repair will be heavy and much more than it would cost you to get it done, usually! There are many reasons for this but the charges are loaded to take account of the extra time the hire company has to hold the vehicle during repair, even though many small repairs are carried out in their own workshops and by their own agents. We used to get £600 per car to service and valet each vehicle (irrespective of it's condition) when it came back. Damage and service over that was charged at a fairly high rate back to the customer.

Yes I'm planning to chop it in in the hope of replacing it with something like an Octavia vRS, if my lovely lady wife will let me! I will go back to the bodyshop I spoke to last year and arrange for it to be done.

Thanks again for your helpful advice everyone!

leave it until closer the time and try and get it done as cheap as possible.

I would get it done, but try a local bodyshop or two for quotes as the main agent will most likely double the figure and get someone lke them to do it anyway. (thats what Toyota seem to do, as I asked for a spray job on sideskirts and boot spoiler and the guy said to go to the place direct)!

As for getting it done later, would you rather paint it now and enjoy driving it looking new again, or paint it for someone else to enjoy?

BTW, In the latest which? magazine, someone had a similar thing happen, despite the damage being minimal (wheel curbing and interior carpet worn) they were told the damage was beyond normal "wear and tear".

They then found the dealer sold the vehicle at auction, without repairing the damage! In addition, they were shown photo's of damage they were sure were from a different car! They got their money back, after complaining to the magazines legal services.