What are Skoda's body shops like? Should I go to an independant?? I am in Harrogate, would anybody recommend a bodyshop in North or West Yorkshire.  Some woman reversed into my drivers side door tonight, wrecking it so that it won't close tight with a massive gap along the top letting in water. Not a mark on hers, as she had a tow bar fitted. There is also damage the rear door, only slight but it is on the seal where the two doors meet. She was very apologetic and phoned her insurance company admitting fault.

 

Wondering what the chances are of me getting a new door on the rear too, I will post some pics of the damage. Car is only four months old :-(

 

I'm not keen on trusting dealer bodyshops as they are generally aligned to the dealer group rather than the manufacturer. I had some work carried out on a Lexus by a local dealer under warranty and it came back in a dreadful state. The door didn't shut, there were paint runs and they'd badly scratched the glass. It turned out that the bodyshop was owned and run by the dealer group that owns the car dealers in the area for most of the main car manufacturers and had no direct links with Lexus. They are supposed to conform to the manufacturers repair standards though. I suspect Skoda works in the same way.

 

They sorted me out in the end, but given the reputation of Lexus dealers, I was not impressed.

 

I'd go with a local recommended bodyshop every time, but it does mean you have to work harder to get the work sorted out as the insurance company is generally less helpful if you are not using their recommended bodyshop. Also, be careful if they try to pass you onto an accident management company. Make sure they send you the paperwork before you agree to them doing anything for you. You can end up underwriting their costs against the insurance company.

 

Sorry I can't help with bodyshops in your area, but a Google search will normally get you started.

 

 

If you can be bothered to travel a bit these are excellent

 

http://www.curbishleyautomotive.com

http://www.vwgroup-paintandbody.co.uk/

Use the above link to find a VAG approved repairer. That way you'll get the best possible chance of getting it done correctly. The other parties insurance may try and 'convince' you to use theirs where they control costs but you don't have to. Good luck

Took mine to DM keiths in leeds new bumper /xenon lights /paint / inner wheel arch liners and other stuff underneath ......bang on no complaints at all.

Cheers guys. Insurer tried to get my to go to their approved bodyshop. As soon as they said 'Nationwide' I politely declined :-) What a bunch of £@kin cowboys they are!!

Settled on this guy in Knaresborough http://www.autorefinishing.co.uk/ Insurance company want me to get two quotes. Well they can have two fingers. WTF! I want it to go to Chris Gregory END OF. Where do these guys get off!

Settled on this guy in Knaresborough http://www.autorefinishing.co.uk/ Insurance company want me to get two quotes. Well they can have two fingers. WTF! I want it to go to Chris Gregory END OF. Where do these guys get off!

 

Whilst I agree with your sentiment, you probably should check the small print in your insurance policy before trying to dictate terms to the insurance company... or you may well find that they refuse to pay out.  I'm not suggesting for one minute that this applies to you, but another reason they like people to use 'approved' repair places is because of the amount of fraud that takes place - i.e. the garage billing the insurance company for far more work than is actually done.

 

Finally, think of it this way - if you were paying for the work to be done, you'd go and get at least two quotes from different garages, wouldn't you?  So why is it unreasonable to expect someone else who is paying the bill to ask for the same thing?

Whilst I agree with your sentiment, you probably should check the small print in your insurance policy before trying to dictate terms to the insurance company... or you may well find that they refuse to pay out.  I'm not suggesting for one minute that this applies to you, but another reason they like people to use 'approved' repair places is because of the amount of fraud that takes place - i.e. the garage billing the insurance company for far more work than is actually done.

 

Finally, think of it this way - if you were paying for the work to be done, you'd go and get at least two quotes from different garages, wouldn't you?  So why is it unreasonable to expect someone else who is paying the bill to ask for the same thing?

Well for a start It's my car and I was not at fault, my insurance company's policy is irrelevant. I will choose where I want to have my car repaired. The third party's insurance company did indeed try to railroad me to Nationwide crash repairs in Harrogate. I said 'No', they said 'Why' I said 'Because they are rubbish, due to the fact that you and other insurance companies screw them down for cost, so they rush cars through. I have had bitter experience with these jokers before. A case of once bitten. It's all academic now anyway it's gone to the bodyshop of my choice.