Tough moral question - opinions required....!

[m1br]

Most importantly, have you already discussed these options with the third party?
They may not want, or can afford a £750 bill anyhow?

It isn't a gamble I would take personally.
If something else lands him in financial difficulty, or he vanishes you are sunk.

To be honest its quite a bang if you need three panels, hes obviously a risk on the road.
Let him pay the bigger premium if it happens, and learn IMO.

 

[Deleted member 55947]

Give the kid a chance but look after yourself. Find a good well respected body shop to do the work and if he's prepared to pay the bill then all well and good

 

[John]

I'd get a quote from Autohaus in North West London as well as the other suggested place - they did a sterling job on one of my bimmers.

Sounds like the current quote was done with a wet finger in the air.

At least then you can offer it up to see what they want to do.

You will need to inform your insurance company as said.

He will need to pay up front before you proceed I would say - just in case he is light on his feet.

 

[brucemillar]

It is absolutely heartening to see that the OP has moral compass correctly set.

Keep the moral high ground.

Go round to the kids house. If his mum is a looker tell her you could forget the entire incident were she to deliver the goodies.

 

[alistairgd]

If it was me, for peace of mind, I'd have to go the insurance route. I can understand your dilemma, but I would not consider a handshake deal, too many potential pitfalls.

 

[AMGeed]

It is absolutely heartening to see that the OP has moral compass correctly set.

Keep the moral high ground.

Go round to the kids house. If his mum is a looker tell her you could forget the entire incident were she to deliver the goodies.

Forget the other replies. This is the correct answer.

 

[Belldarr]

It's a tough one - but you need to think of number one in these situations, he may well be penalised but if he thinks his dad can pay off these instances then he is unlikely to learn any lessons from it as some people have already said.

I had a similar incident a few weeks ago when a young lad doored my CLK door, I was watching from my seat in McD's and went out to confront him, he was a worker there and admitted denting my door and offered me a free meal to compensate - I declined that offer and took his last £50 in the world (apparently) to get a dent repairer to pull it out, my wife said I am heartless and I did feel bad at the time but I bet he is more careful when he opens his car door these days!

 

[nick mercedes]

Here's the question: Bodywork repair quote from MB Brentford is just shy of £3k (3 panels & new trim) and his premium is going to go stratospheric if he claims. Local 'OK' independent spray shop says £780.00 for cash (no vat or questions asked...) Obviously a risk of the finish not being 100%, but the kid gets to drive affordably for another year.

Why risk it, go to the proper bodyshop, and get £780 off the kid to pay for it.

Do a forum search on MB Brentford (they set fire to Peter's C43!) and save the kids bonus.

 

[NOMONEYBUTAMERC]

Fair play to you for being prepared to give the benefit to a youngster. Unlike too many today , at least he has insurance , and neither tried to weasel out of the situation, or just "do one" and disappear. I would be inclined to talk to the parents and give them the opportunity to pay a decent bodyshop to put your car right. If the correct panels are used on the repair a competent sprayer will give you just as good a finish as the one at your local Merc dealer, without the need to recover exorbitant hourly rates. I am inclined to feel the lad has already learned a lesson , and reassured that there really are nice people out there!

 

[Scott_F]

I am inclined to feel the lad has already learned a lesson , and reassured that there really are nice people out there!

He hasn't decided how nice he's going to be yet !

 

[Benzowner]

Does MB Brentford have their own body shop? Probably not, but they will have recognised body repairers, so, if you went direct to them and asked them, how much for cash, you may end up with a pucka job and a much cheaper repair bill for the kid.

 

[W4E300]

Does MB Brentford have their own body shop? Probably not, but they will have recognised body repairers, so, if you went direct to them and asked them, how much for cash, you may end up with a pucka job and a much cheaper repair bill for the kid.

They do have their own shop and a very plush reception area, smiley lady, leather sofas, all the days papers and a nice coffee machine - all of which gets included in their price of course. I did relate the tale of woe and was offered a discounted price - it would have been over the £3k without the blubbing.....!

Sent from my iPad using MBClub UK

 

[DITTRICH]

1 I think that honesty in "youngsters" ought to be encouraged and recognised.
2 Justice and the law of the land do not always coincide.
3 Getting a car repaired via the dealership network isn't necessarily the best route.

If a private settlement can be reached, I wouldn't be against it in these circumstances,but it's your decision. If the parents appreciate your gesture and are supportive then another neighbour on "your" side can't hurt.

 

[Simon_M]

I had a similar situation when a neighbours lad drove into my wife's CLK while on a driving lesson with his Dad.

The Dad wanted to do it cash so I got a few quotes - MB was £2500, a local trusted place quoted £600 and he found a bloke who said 'about £200' after looking at the car for 5 seconds. We agreed to go the £600 route and the finish was better than the official MB repair to my C63.

I thought that was a fair compromise, although the guy thought I was being awkward and doesn't really speak to me any more.

Sounds like you reacted calmly which is how I did as the lad was very upset - I still speak to him when I see him about.

S

 

[dick2ski]

Presumably considerable damage was done to his car? If he is claiming then your claim will make no difference.

 

[John]

Presumably considerable damage was done to his car? If he is claiming then your claim will make no difference.

My guess is he is 3PF&T given insurance premiums for youngsters so can't claim...

 

[BAZZER1]

Off track a bit, but do Mercedes have their own Body shops ??????

BAZZER1

 

[nick mercedes]

Off track a bit, but do Mercedes have their own Body shops ??????

BAZZER1

Yes.

Not so many though.

MB Brentford (over the A4 from the dealership next to Magnets).

MB Bedford (behind the dealership)

MB Boston (as above)

I'm sure there are others, most do contract out though.

 

[Dieselman]

Aren't they all dealers, not MBUK?

Some others have their own bodyshop, too.

 

[R120]

These guys did my W204 when my Mrs went into a wall at home base and needed the whole front end doing. They where forced upon me by the Insurance company, so I went in with some trepidation.

I was very impressed with the work and the time they turned it around in. They do a great job. No idea on price as I didn't pay. Said they do a lot of work for main dealers, had quote a few Astons in there.

Continental Coachworks