damage to my caravan while being repaired

[Marika_374229744]

Hi. My caravan had to have the front and right side replaced in Sept, following an road accident in Germany this year. The repairs went well, but when I got the caravan home, we found deep scratches to the left side, which were not there when we left the van with the repairers. When we collected the van we found it had been 'stored' for the last week in the sale area of the dealership, meaning anyone had access to it, we drove straight home to the farm where we store the van, I got out to open the gate so my husband could drive straight through and this is when I spotted the scratches, the dealer is denying any damage and is refusing to do anything about it. What can I do?

Kind regards

Maria

 

[Angus1]

Unfortunately, I would say the repairer is quite correct to deny any responsibility, as it really is the oldest trick in the book for `damage` to appear after a car, `van or whatever has been removed from a dealers site.

I really can`t believe that someone would collect a vehicle after repair without checking it over, as you usually have to sign to accept the vehicle anyway.

 

[Marika_374229744]

Yes, I agree that we should have checked it, but as this is a lasrge reputable dealership, we actually thought we could trust them,(rather old fashioned notion, please believe me when I say we do not need this pointing out. However I take exception to your comment about it being the oldest trick in the book, if we were 'trying one on', I would hardly post a message on the forum. Still I will know not to ask for advice from this forum again. So much for caravanners being friendly.

 

[RogerL]

It's your word against theirs, without any other evidence you've got no chance. Claim on your insurance as you appear to have lost your NCB already.

 

[Val & Frank]

Hey Maria,

Slow Down, look at the following points.

1 Did you have a photo of the original damage ??

2 Did you point out to the Repairer the exact damage requiring attention.

3 Is the dealer the same one who sold you the Van ??

4 Are you sure the van was left Unlocked during the period after repair, and did the public have access ??

5 What does the Original Insurance Accident Form note as Damage ??

6 Have you had any Independent Assesment as to how the current damage has been caused ??

Just basic points, We wish you well with your claim ?? can it not be done under your insurance ??

Val & Frank

 

[Mark_5040952]

Yes, I agree that we should have checked it, but as this is a lasrge reputable dealership, we actually thought we could trust them,(rather old fashioned notion, please believe me when I say we do not need this pointing out. However I take exception to your comment about it being the oldest trick in the book, if we were 'trying one on', I would hardly post a message on the forum. Still I will know not to ask for advice from this forum again. So much for caravanners being friendly.

Maria,

Please don't get stroppy, you asked a question and Angus answered it. He's also correct in what he's saying, it is your responsibility to inspect the vehicle before signing for it. I have just spent alot of money buying a new car from a very good dealer and I still went over everything before signing, infact I found a small scratch on the gear knob about 10mmm long. The dealer agreed and it was replaced. You're not making a fuss by doing it and it avoids a situation like you're in now.

All I can suggest now is unless you can prove the damage was done by photos etc (before and after)or you have a witness who saw or caused the damaged you will now have to claim on your insurance.

Hope this helps

Mark

 

[Angus1]

It`s an unpleasant fact that because it is `the oldest trick in the book`, any genuine claim will be met with a disinterested shrug by the dealer.

It`s just another example of us all suffering because of a dishonest few.

 

[MikeP]

Imagine this situation further down the line. The dealer has refused to put right the damage, so you take it to the small claims court.

Your testimony - the van was not damaged before, it is damaged now, you can't say for sure when or where it happened as you have no relevant evidence of the condition of the van at specific points in time.

The dealer's testimony - yes, there is damage on the van - but because it was not checked over before leaving the premises, there is no indication of when the damage was sustained - either pre-existing, at the dealer's premises, or subsequently.

Please don't have a go at people just because you didn't get the answer that you hoped for. The bottom line is that you should have checked and agreed the van's condition when they took it in, and then checked it over together before taking it away. I know that you know this now, and hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

[Marika_374229744]

thanks for all your comments, yes we could kick ourselves, we know we should have checked it properly with the dealer, but he kinda rushed us as he was due to go to a viewing, regardless of this it is still our fault, which I don't deny. I don't wish to appear stroppy, and it has nothing to do with not getting the answer I wanted, as I already knew we didn't have a strong case, but I didn't want to just give up with checking with others first,although I was a bit surprised at the bluntness of replies, we feel bad enough as it is, and didn't expect anyone to suggest we were pulling the oldest trick in the book. I was just wondering if I had any case because the van was not stored by the dealer in the usual service bays,but in the public area, suggesting the van was not cared for with due care, but not to worry, will contact the insurance co.

Thanks again

 

[gary]

Yes the answers are blunt, probably because all people are wise with hindsight and glad it's not them that forgot to check the other side!!

What I would say is the post about 'oldest trick in the book' to my mind refered to the dealer not you!

 

[vernon]

thanks for all your comments, yes we could kick ourselves, we know we should have checked it properly with the dealer, but he kinda rushed us as he was due to go to a viewing, regardless of this it is still our fault, which I don't deny. I don't wish to appear stroppy, and it has nothing to do with not getting the answer I wanted, as I already knew we didn't have a strong case, but I didn't want to just give up with checking with others first,although I was a bit surprised at the bluntness of replies, we feel bad enough as it is, and didn't expect anyone to suggest we were pulling the oldest trick in the book. I was just wondering if I had any case because the van was not stored by the dealer in the usual service bays,but in the public area, suggesting the van was not cared for with due care, but not to worry, will contact the insurance co.

Thanks again

Marika,

I took our caravan into a local dealer for some warranty work. When I checked a week later it was amongst the "For Sale" caravans and not the work even started. So other dealers are the same as yours, but luckily I had no damage.