Bonnet damage after visit to garage

GJ1 · Post by **GJ1** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:58 pm

Hi all,

After a bit of advice please. My car went into an indy yesterday for an MOT, inspection 1 and some preventative maintenance e.g. gearbox/diff oil change. It also had a missing bonnet stop replaced.

I picked up the car in the dark yesterday.

Went out to the car at lunchtime today and have discovered some very noticeable bonnet damage.
The damage has obviously come from underneath the bonnet. It appears to be from around the area highlighted in one of the photos. First daft question, what is the black lid part?

I am wondering if it was somehow higher than it should have been when they dropped the bonnet or they left a tool on it or it could have something to do with them replacing the bonnet bump stop.

Anyone had any experience of this? Will give them a call and see what they say.

Feeling a bit sick tbh.

Thanks

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:03 pm

Contact them straight away as the longer you wait they can deny it was them.
They must have left a tool or something on top of the engine and slammed the bonnet.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:08 pm

Yup, looks like tool damage to me too.

If it had an oil change, they've possibly left the oil filter removing tool on the cap.
Ask to see the tool they remove the cap with, I'd bet it lines up perfectly with those dents.

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:14 pm

Whichever feckless tw@t did that obviously thought you weren't also going to notice the damage. WTAF????

Penelope · Post by **Penelope** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:19 pm

They've had a removal tool in place... silly mistake but easily done if the black cap style. However the double dents suggest they left the socket wrench attached which is a huge oversight.

GJ1 · Post by **GJ1** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:25 pm

Thanks guys. Called the garage and the guy I spoke with is going to speak with the owner. I've sent the photos over to them too.

Can this sort of damage be 'plunged' out do you think?

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:33 pm

To answer your question, the black lid part is the oil filter housing. Subsequent replies have highlighted the issue; utter carelessness. Let the forum know which Indy are you using.

The bonnet closes ok if one of the bump stops is missing, so this is not likely to have been part of the issue.

I hope you get a satisfactory outcome.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:36 pm

Penelope wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:19 pm However the double dents suggest they left the socket wrench attached which is a huge oversight.

Or the first slam made one dent and dislodged it a bit, then numb-nuts had a second attempt and dented it again.

DPG · Post by **DPG** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:36 pm

Wow, so independents make mistakes too.

I would play hell with them, someone knew they had done that and walked away hoping you wouldn't notice. w*****s

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:43 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:36 pm
Penelope wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:19 pm However the double dents suggest they left the socket wrench attached which is a huge oversight.
Or the first slam made one dent and dislodged it a bit, then numb-nuts had a second attempt and dented it again.

This was my first thought too. Hope you get it sorted, OP. Worse case scenario, it may be solved by using somebody good at removing dents. Aluminium body parts make it slightly more tricky but not impossible.

Weston Matt · Post by **Weston Matt** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:48 pm

That’s terrible, I’d be fuming. I hope you get it sorted quickly

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:11 pm

Shocking they'd even send that back to you without fessing up at least and offering to fix the damage

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:13 pm

mr.tourette wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:11 pm Shocking they'd even send that back to you without fessing up at least and offering to fix the damage

Probably the apprentice, who was too scared to own up to his boss.

GJ1 · Post by **GJ1** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:12 pm

Thanks for all your input.

The garage owner has spoken with the technician who worked on my car and he told him the dents were already there.
The owner checked the CCTV and couldn't find anything to substantiate either way.
They have agreed to rectify the damage using a bodyshop they frequently use (they seem to be reputable).

So, I'm happy with the owner for taking responsibility and the understanding he showed. I think his actions suggest he knows full well it happened on their watch despite the technician's comments.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:15 pm

GJ1 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:12 pm Thanks for all your input.

The garage owner has spoken with the technician who worked on my car and he told him the dents were already there.
The owner checked the CCTV and couldn't find anything to substantiate either way.
They have agreed to rectify the damage using a bodyshop they frequently use (they seem to be reputable).

So, I'm happy with the owner for taking responsibility and the understanding he showed. I think his actions suggest he knows full well it happened on their watch despite the technician's comments.

Good result and response. Just make sure you're happy with the results.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com