Hello all had a chip in my windscreen with 3 cracks coming off it (pic below) and had some dude come around today to fix it.

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He said there is a chance the screen could break due to the fact they have to put pressure on it to repair it and cos I had 3 cracks coming off it was slightly more likely on mine.

Anywayz yer the repair failed and I am fairly annoyed as now I've gotta pay £60 excess. but just wondering if anyone had had experience of having a new windscreen with RAC and if it was any good (quality, fit etc)

Cheerrzzzz.

Have had 2 replaced by RAC.

First was replaced fine - lasted about 12 months until i got another chip and crack

Second time they had to have 2 attempts. First time they left the surround to the VIN number off (it was on the seat when i picked the car up) causing the VIN plate to slip down. They had to take the screen out to put it back. All done FOC and with an apology so ok in the end.

Screen looks the same to me so can't complain.

They vary wildly. They did my A3 OK once, but they left it dirty the other time, and recently left the inside of our Lupo *FILTHY* with marks on the (pale grey and yellow) seat. If they do my vRS, I'll be standing over them.

I used to repair screens and that crack could have easily repaired its just that the RAC perfer to replace screens rather than repair them.

Having recently had a chip repaired, my advice is this. If you get a stonechip, book it in at the earliest possible opportunity. The sooner it can be treated, the less it will crack in the meantime and the less cr*p will get caught up in it.

I think I could find my repair if I looked very closely at the screen from outside but in normal day to day driving, not a chance of spotting it.

J.

Well it was done through insurance (norwich union) and so I had no choice as they use the RAC.

He did try to repair it but they use a system of pressure rather than vaccuum he told me and so it cracked when pressure was applied.

Needless to say I wasnt impressed at all but there we are I have better things to dwell on than bloody windscreens and they'll be around on Friday with a replacement.

I wont be happy if its a poor fit or if it doesnt have the tinted strip along the top, although I did inform them of the shade strip.

Yes from what I've read online it does seem to be lottery as to whether your service is very good or appauling.

I will be watching him like a hawk come friday.

For him to crack the screen with that chip suggests he couldn't have been very good at repairing at all!!

Make sure you are 100% happy with the screen replacement before signing the paperwork.

Aye well thats life isnt it hes obviously passed all RAC's tests so I cant exactly say "you're crap, go away and get someone else".

But will be checking over the new screen thoroughly once fitted.

Well it was done through insurance (norwich union) and so I had no choice as they use the RAC.

He did try to repair it but they use a system of pressure rather than vaccuum he told me and so it cracked when pressure was applied.

Needless to say I wasnt impressed at all but there we are I have better things to dwell on than bloody windscreens and they'll be around on Friday with a replacement.

I wont be happy if its a poor fit or if it doesnt have the tinted strip along the top, although I did inform them of the shade strip.

Yes from what I've read online it does seem to be lottery as to whether your service is very good or appauling.

I will be watching him like a hawk come friday.

Have you told them it has a "top tint" and the colour?

also get a good Insurance company, Mine is only £25 excess

Radiotwo

Its on my Dads mini-fleet policy as its about 1k cheaper than insuring it myself so I have no say.

Yes I told them it was a top tint with a grey/black tint.

The screen will be fine, no need to worry. The ******** didn't put my wiper blades back on properly though so they will need altering.

Cool thanks for that I'm a bit apprehensive as my car is my pride and joy and it really does play on my nerves when something isnt right.

I was in the same situation as you a few weeks ago.

Some buffoon broke my screen at the MOT (then denied all responsibility or knowledge of the crack),and after making contact with the insurance company,it was a choice of either Autoglass or the RAC.

The number of horror stories ive heard about Autoglass ruled them out:thumbdwn: immediately,so it was down to the RAC.

I too am very particular regarding who I allow near my car,and the thought of some inept loon being let loose on it was indeed a worry.:eek:

However,the two guys who turned up seemed very professional,spent best part of an hour doing the screen,and did a very good quality job,although I was watching throughout the entire duration of the replacement.:P

Don't worry,but do watch!

Aye well thats life isnt it hes obviously passed all RAC's tests so I cant exactly say "you're crap, go away and get someone else".

But will be checking over the new screen thoroughly once fitted.

The screen itself will be fine. Here's some things to check before and after- from bitter experience.

1. Cleanliness of seats and carpets. (they get sealant on their hands).

2. Sealant all over the fricking place outside.

3. Scuffs on door sills (they stand there to fit the screen).

4. Cracked plastic scuttle panel (where the wipers poke out of).

5. VIN number lines up and hasn't dropped off.

No.4 is a bugger. Officially, VAG say to remove it. They don't bother. I had the one on my A3 cracked, and not clipped back correctly.

After several hours cleaning the Lupo seats (and it's still not completely off), given that the vRS seats are even paler, I'd be watching *very* closely.

might be worth me throwing an old towel over the seats i think

did you ring NU up and then organise it?

If not, then you should just be able to go to any windscreen place and just give them the policy number and they will sort it.

Any windscreen issues I have are easily sorted, as I have a neighbour who fits them for a living

Norwich Union organised it for me I think RAC must be their supplier or something.

I had same problem. Chipped screen in first year. Tiny and no spreading or nuisance so left it. Coming up to MOT at 3 years told that it needed "fixing" to pass. Went Autoglass for free work. Two days later the whole screen cracked. Bang goes my £60! Can't fault the Autoglass people for service; the new screen was fitted neatly with no problems to me and pleasant helpful attitude. I guess that the heat sealing of the glass must put stress on it and sometimes this is too much so the same must apply to RAC and any others using the same system.

Once cracks start, whether it can be repaired properly and without it starting to crack again is a lottery.

I had a windscreen replaced in my Passatt by RAC, and it cracked after a few weeks, while parked overnight. I have had 2 independent companies say it is a stress crack and should be replaced under warranty, but RAC won't honour the warranty and say it is impact damage, but the car was not moving when it happened, and the only tiny fragment of glass missing on the crack is covered by the wiper blade, so is not an impact at all. Looks like a faulty screen or fit.

I will not use RAC again. As other people have said, you should be able to use any company.

Don't Like RAC as I don't rate their own screens.

Would much rather have the OEM item.

Norwich Union organised it for me I think RAC must be their supplier or something.

Aviva owns both NUD and RAC...

Rob.

That would explain it then.

Well they are coming tomorrow, now have a 10" crack up my screen where the repair failed

gonna shove some rubber matts over the vrs matts and some bin bags over the seats tonight to stop em getting marked.

I can see what you mean about the scuttle panel, the windscreen sits just down behind it and it looks like a f*cuker to remove without removing the wipers.

i never had issues with autoglass in MK, they seem pretty good with my car. Saying that, there were bits of shattered glass in the door compartments and that... took it down to the vac hose being too big :P

Well the guy has just been and gone and my verdict...

Nothing bad to say really.

Friendly guy, been doing it 6 years knew exactly what he was doing. He was surprised that I'd covered my seats and told me that there was not really any chance of the sealant getting on there.

Covered it all up inside then removed the seals and the old windscreen (no smashy smashy).

Then he removed the wiper arms and the scuttle panel

Put the sealant on and the new screen, very good quality looks just like OEM with the shaded band along the top.

Only one very small gripe, which is more down to Skoda's poor design than the RAC, is that one of the rivets holding the scuttle panel in broke, but I doubt they are a lot from Skoda and are a very poor design for an item that they should know will be removed at some point.

Havnt driven it yet but expecting it all to be a-ok. Very happy