My dealer has badly damaged my van
During a recent visit to my local caravan dealer (who will remain nameless at this point), a member of staff drove a van tow tractor into the from end of my 1yr old Swift Elegance 530 van. This was an accident! This resulted in a hole, about the size of a football being added to the van front panel. The damage has be taped up as a temporary fix and doesn't look too bad (see pic). As you might guess I am not too pleased abut this. But, the dealer has been very apologetic and will 'fix' the hole. I am guessing at this point, but the fix is likely to be a hole fill and respray rather than a full panel replacement. The damage does appear to be restricted to the front panel.
My concern is how the van might be de-valued following the accident fix. I know, I would not buy a van knowing it had had substantial damage, unless of course it was substantially below normal market value.
I was wondering whether anyone had had a similar experience and what the results were.
Cheers
Graham
Comments
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Agree - speak to the legal people who can advise you better than us but I'd want a new front panel on a van of that age.
Good luck - let us know how you get on.
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If this is put in the hands of your insurer, or the dealer’s insurer, it is likely the insurance assessor will decide how it is repaired.
Judging from your picture, I suspect a repair will cause fewer problems in future than a front panel replacement which will disturb the original sealants and goodness knows what else.
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Sorry to hear of the damage to the van G. I think if it was me I would ask the dealer in writing how they are going to effect the repair, if I wasn’t happy with the methodology I would then speak to my solicitor or the club legal team
let us know how you get on
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We had something similar happen but it was Swift themselves who caused the damage after they had replaced a back panel. Whilst cleaning it they managed to put a hole in it! They filled the hole and it had no effect on the resale value when we came to part exchange the van.
Why not ask the dealer to give you a guarantee in writing that they will cover any gap in value should there be one when you come to sell it. Of course, the dealer may very well be the one you will be using next time.
I tend to agree with TW. The least number of times panels are removed the better for maintaining good bonding.
Having a word with the legal team costs nothing. i've done it myself.
Good luck.
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Thanks for your thoughtful and measured comments. I agree that a panel replacement might lead to other problems. I have already had a leak from the roof junction on the rear panel. TBH we are considering asking the dealer for a good part ex deal. The van has been plagued with problems from new, some of which are still not fixed, so this last incident has just about broken the camel's back!
I think speaking with the legal team is a good idea.
Thanks all!
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Not a nice place to be in for a one year old caravan, but not by any means a unique situation. Trying for a part-ex., deal, I would imagine the dealer only offering you a figure no better than based on there not having been any accidental damage.
Which basically leaves you with the straightforward choice of either making that part exchange, or pursuing completion of the outstanding repairs under the warranty. Whatever you do, it is going to be either a financial "hit", or a yet unknown period of aggravation.
I suppose you could opt for changing the van, on the basis that an already troublesome one, even after repairs of current problems, could develop further troubles in the future.
Best wishes on your decision.
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With damage to a newish car, repairs under insurance will commonly involve the replacement of the affected panel. Ie a door skin. Contacting your solicitor may ultimately become necessary, but whatever happened to level headed conversation. Simply ask your dealer to reinstate your caravan as original ie without filler. While I’m sure that they will try to convince you that filler is just as good, there’s no need for threats of solicitors unless the dealer refuses to replace the panel. It’s only then that you need legal support. I very much doubt that the dealer will let it get that far. Most likely they will offer to fill the panel in addition to a compensation payment.
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I do feel sorry for you as I would be hopping mad if it were me. Legally though if a repair is reasonable, then you are stuck with it, It would have to be invisible though as otherwise it would affect the resale value. From other posts here Swift (as the maker) do it it so would be difficult to prove the repair method is wrong. You would need an expert opinion to the effect it was not reasonable to go for a replacement panel and reluctantly I do not think it possible.
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