PCP Hand Back and repairs

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travelininstyle

Active Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
298
Location
LANCASHIRE
Car
C-Class Sports Coupe AMG 220 Cdi
Hello Guys - well this is my second car lease and sadly after six years I have to trim my sails and hand the car back, as the current lease comes to an end in January. All is well mechanically with the car, except a couple of curbed/scuffed wheels - that are not too bad and just near the door handle there are a couple of nibbles, because where I opened the door in the garage, it hit a cable clasp - not dents, but like a small dart has hit the paint 5, or six times in an area the size of half a matchbox. I have been complimented by several MB garages in the past about the condition I have kept the cars in - so on my last service in July, I got a quote for cosmetic rectification - basically they said approx. £120 per wheel and £600-£800 for the door, as it would require blending in etc
I am happy to put this through MB, because if there are any issues, well they know where to go - but is there any merit in going to a very good independent garage for the work and would MB pick it up on inspection ?
Also - I have allowed up to £2k for cosmetic repairs, as i am not returning to a PCP and expect to get gouged by them because I am leaving - hope that this will cover most of it, but please no horror stories guys
 
Hello Guys - well this is my second car lease and sadly after six years I have to trim my sails and hand the car back, as the current lease comes to an end in January. All is well mechanically with the car, except a couple of curbed/scuffed wheels - that are not too bad and just near the door handle there are a couple of nibbles, because where I opened the door in the garage, it hit a cable clasp - not dents, but like a small dart has hit the paint 5, or six times in an area the size of half a matchbox. I have been complimented by several MB garages in the past about the condition I have kept the cars in - so on my last service in July, I got a quote for cosmetic rectification - basically they said approx. £120 per wheel and £600-£800 for the door, as it would require blending in etc
I am happy to put this through MB, because if there are any issues, well they know where to go - but is there any merit in going to a very good independent garage for the work and would MB pick it up on inspection ?
Also - I have allowed up to £2k for cosmetic repairs, as i am not returning to a PCP and expect to get gouged by them because I am leaving - hope that this will cover most of it, but please no horror stories guys

Any replies guys ?
 
£120 per wheel seems very steep to me, unless they are diamond cut?? Have you tried getting a quote from a smart repair company?
Can't see how they would pick up on any repairs, unless they have documented you have been in to get a quote.
 
£120 per wheel seems very steep to me, unless they are diamond cut?? Have you tried getting a quote from a smart repair company?
Can't see how they would pick up on any repairs, unless they have documented you have been in to get a quote.

Sorry, I should have clarified, this is my second 3 year PCP - not a six year PCP
There are some very good and reputable companies who do wheel refurbishment - the car is a standard Class Coupe 220 Cdi AMG 2013 Plate - with standard issue wheels. the interior is very clean and tidy as I have no pets, or kids, nor have I ever carried passengers - the nibbles on the door are in a small area, 1/2 size of a matchbox, but I accept they are deep but it might be worth getting someone to look at these other than MB. I have never left a PCP before, as the car was put straight back on the forecourt and as an existing customer, they were keen to get me back into another PCP without grief.I am not expecting the same treatment this time,but expect some fairness, so people experience is appreciated here.
 

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I wouldn't pay £120 to refurb one wheel and wouldn't pay £600 quid to sort out those tiny scratches. A lot of independent companies can do this for a lot less and I am pretty sure Merc can't spot a thing after you've had it done.
 
£120 per wheel seems very steep to me, unless they are diamond cut?? Have you tried getting a quote from a smart repair company?
Can't see how they would pick up on any repairs, unless they have documented you have been in to get a quote.

An AMG wheel is likely to be diamond cut; but I'd get them done at a specialist repair company and it shouldn't cost you that. Not so sure about the door, but most bodyshops would be cheaper that £800 especially for cash.

Ernie
 
I've no first hand experience of this (apart from company lease cars) but be careful if you get work done that it's to a standard acceptable to MB - there are some places that will guarantee this (or use an MB dealer) - otherwise you may end up paying twice.

Having said that, I'm sure I've read that there's a standard charge for a damaged alloy and it's far less than the refurb cost. Also, there's a discussion about lease car return on Pistonheads and someone has just returned his second MB and says they were much more relaxed about damage this time than on his first one - he was told they'd backed off a lot as they were getting too many complaints.
 
You are a very poor counter, ""but like a small dart has hit the paint 5, or six times in an area the size of half a matchbox"" I stopped counting at 20!!
 
I've no first hand experience of this (apart from company lease cars) but be careful if you get work done that it's to a standard acceptable to MB - there are some places that will guarantee this (or use an MB dealer) - otherwise you may end up paying twice.

Having said that, I'm sure I've read that there's a standard charge for a damaged alloy and it's far less than the refurb cost. Also, there's a discussion about lease car return on Pistonheads and someone has just returned his second MB and says they were much more relaxed about damage this time than on his first one - he was told they'd backed off a lot as they were getting too many complaints.

Thanks Rory, always reassuring. I think I will get the car valeted and polished and rock up at MB at that - as you say, I was minded only to use an MB accredited cosmetic repair service, then there is no repercussions - once again, thanks guys:thumb:
 
You are a very poor counter, ""but like a small dart has hit the paint 5, or six times in an area the size of half a matchbox"" I stopped counting at 20!!
- you are quite right !
 
Thanks Rory, always reassuring. I think I will get the car valeted and polished and rock up at MB at that -

Ah - I read lease in your first post and based my comments on that. As you note, the dealer does PCP returns rather then a collection agency as happens with leases so I don't know of the standard accepted would be comparable.

I guess at least with the dealer you could always check first.
 
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I've typically found that most dealers are a lot more flexible on minor damage if your buying something on his books or new, than just handing the car in. I'd look at getting a quote from a smart repair outfit if you are looking at just handing the car back.
 

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