Hi hope someone can advise, as they want to do this today!

 

I'm buying a low mileage black 2016 VRS estate from a big dealer network's used car division (not Skoda franchise, but they do have VW/Seat & skoda dealerships elsewhere).

 

It's a distance sale with delivery. So I haven't seen the car, but on the flipside I get 14 days to return if unhappy (I'll be getting it thoroughly checked over).

 

It appears to be in great condition, but they've told me that they've noticed 15+ minor shallow indents on the roof and bonnet- looks like hail damage or something apparently. They've sent me photos but can't make them out in a building with reflections etc. I've asked for some outside or better photos.

 

They say that paintwork is undamaged.

 

They costed removing the headlining to push the dents from the inside, but 5 hours labour apparently. So instead they're proposing to fill and respray roof and bonnet.

 

I've no knowledge of body/paintwork, but my gut instinct is not to disturb factory paint unless really necessary.

 

I've asked them to pause the bodyshop while I get advice.

 

Any thoughts? I could offer to contribute the difference to remove headlining etc (but could that cause further problems, especially as not a Soda dealer?). Or alternatively accept car with dents, for a discount.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

I am with you, a PDR specialist would normally be able to remove those dents without removing the headlining and without damaging the manufacturers paint but it depends where they are, on the edge of the roof where there is double skinning or above the bonnet bracing might not be so easy.

 

I like your suggestion about accepting as is for a discount but bargain hard, negotiate in advance and on the day if they are worse than they claim say you are walking away and they will make a much better offer, the salesman will already have mentally spent his commission!

 

My current car had so many minor dings and PDR repairs that it would have cost too much unless I found someone willing to work on a daily rate, I repaired and resprayed the worst (front wing) and pushed out the others where I could and just accepted it, it has been quite liberating to not beat myself up about subsequent scrapes caused by myself and others, had it been pristine it would have bugged me everytime I looked at the scars.

Thanks for quick reply! Agree always a danger of being too precious about having perfection, given that a parking dings or worse can happen anytime.

 

The good news is that the dealer's just called me, and the (off-site) bodyshop have said PDR is possible , probably with rooflining removed, and is the best solution/ their preferred option anyway. So all appears to have sorted itself out.

 

Thanks 

Karl