Im due to get my beloved car back from the accident repair place this week and Im looking for advice.

I want to know what things I should particularly be on the lookout for.

The damage was to the drivers side, both wings, doors and middle pillar...

What things should I be escecially looking out for?

Doors hanging straight, so same as passenger side doors?

Paint finish?

Should joins where a panel has been cut and stuck to a new one me totally invisible? I assume so.

Im thinking of getting a full list of all parts replaced.

Any things I should be aware of INSIDE the doors?

Both drivers side wheels have been replaced and how can I be 100% sure suspension or wheel balancing is unaffected?

Now....What happens if either:

1. Someting is just not quite perfect?

Reject the car and tell them to keep it until its perfect? Or take it away after they have agreed to fix it at some other time?

2. Car is delivered to me at work and I dont spot a problem until a while after?

Im just praying there will be no irritating niggly things like trim that I want putting right but dont want to be without my car for ages!

Im just fishing for info from people who have more experience of these kinda things than I do.

Again, thanks for the advice guys.

Jono

Doors hanging straight, so same as passenger side doors?

Yes, including the gap, should be about the same. it may not be exactly the same though.

Paint finish?

Check for orange peel effect and make sure the lacker has been applied evenly.

Should joins where a panel has been cut and stuck to a new one me totally invisible? I assume so.

Yes you should not be able to tell what has been fixed.

Im thinking of getting a full list of all parts replaced.

Good idea

Any things I should be aware of INSIDE the doors?

Difficult one that because you cant see anything, just make sure every works as it should (windows, mirrors etc.)

Both drivers side wheels have been replaced and how can I be 100% sure suspension or wheel balancing is unaffected?

They should balance the wheels and check the alignment anyway as part of the repair.

Now....What happens if either:

1. Someting is just not quite perfect?

Reject the car and tell them to keep it until its perfect? Or take it away after

they have agreed to fix it at some other time?

been there and done that, had no problems getting things sorted. if you spot something and they are less than willing take it up with either the insurance company of if on HP then with them as well because they own the car.

2. Car is delivered to me at work and I dont spot a problem until a while after?

Take it back?

Also check that internal trim has been re-attached properly.

Jono,

Speaking from experience I would suggest you keep an eye open for the following when you receive the car back from the repairers:

1. Panel gaps should be consistent. look down the flank of the vehicle and check for any uneveness / rippling.

2. As Manny says paint finish should be good. Check closely for 'fish eyes' caused by dirt and also the lacquer finish should be smooth. Have a look in the door handle recesses for poorly applied lacquer. Check the bottoms of doors for paint runs aswell.

3. Paint overspray - it is very difficult to spot on a black car so inspect all window rubbers etc very closely. In an ideal world the rubbers would be removed prior to painting but this is usually uneconomic so they are simply masked off. If you do find any o/spray the bodyshop can remove fairly easily.

4. Also try and inspect the car in good light and don't be afraid to reject it if you're not happy. I would not advise the car is delivered to you at work for this reason. Can you not pick the car up from them as it will be easier to reject at their premises.

5. Thoroughly road test the car to make sure there are no alignment issues with the suspension etc.

6. My last bit of advice is to bear in mind that the car will NOT be factory perfect when you get it back. It would appear that the car has been subject to quite an extensive repair but that is certainly no excuse for poor quality.

Good luck anyway.

Yes make sure you road test it and you need to tell your insurance company if your rejecting the car, not the garage, as it's them that'll authorise any remedial work.

When I got my Fiat back after an accident there were screws and clamps missing, parts had been put back on using cable ties!

The brakes felt extremely dodgy but i couldn't agree with my insurance company to have these re-checked. Thats what led me in the end to trade the car in and get my vRS.

To put it simply, you want the car back in pre-accident condition, that's what you pay your insurance for.

And don't let anyone tell you it's not possible. Any decent bodyshop should be able to get it back to its pre crash condition.

I think the most important points have been mentioned already.

Examine it in day light.

Take it for a test drive.

Take your time. You've posted before about the rush you are always in, this is not something to be sorted in a half hour lunch break.

Good luck!

(For some reason it really pees me off when someone isn't happy with their RS. Everyone should be as chuffed as me! :balloons: )

Agree with everything said so far, but I would take a friend or colleage along, just to witness any conversations should things 'go wrong', and if they do, leave the car there to think rationally what to do next. Good luck.