urgent advice please - accident - Page 7

GagHalfrunt · 29th February 2008, 14:58

All I can say is at least they're putting the effort in and replacing the duff parts.

The "DirectLine Approved" garage that did my wife's Honda left stuff broken and refused to change them as DirectLine wouldn't approve. Went on for over a year, only stopped pushing them as my wife wrote it off.

BRG190 Pete · 29th February 2008, 17:43

Good news at last. Going to SMC tomorrow am to pick up my car. Hope it's OK!

The garage did annoy me a little today. This am, I was told that it was all ready except that they still needed to do a 'quality control' check and would phone when it was done. Got to 5pm - no call - so I phoned them, to be told they hadn't had time to do the check and pick-up of the car would be delayed until Monday.

I didn't react very well to this, so the garage said they would try to get the check done today after all. 10 mins later the call comes through that the car is ready for collection.

I know I'm paranoid, but it looks like the check lasted a max of 5 mins at 5pm on a Friday. Can't see how it will have been very thorough.

Does anyone know, please, what they do in a 'quality control' check?

Thanks

BRG190 Pete · 1st March 2008, 13:47

At long last, 7 weeks after my accident, the car has been repaired. Went and picked her up this am.

As you know, I have been annoyed with SMC over the time it has taken to repair, but I have to say they seem to have done a fantastic job. The paintwork matches very well and certainly I couldn't tell the car has been in an accident. Total bill for the insurance co £2.5k - thought it would be more than that.

The car was driving on fumes - so took her to the nearest petrol station and put in £65 - wow, that's £15 more than I've ever spent before. Drove home very carefully and decided not to use the car much over the weekend, as I still have the courtesy car. I'm actually quite nervous about driving her, partly because she's so beautiful, and partly because of the accident. I just want to get used to driving her in my own time.

So many things to do - change my user name (can anyone tell me how to do that please?), ask my 11 year old daughter to help me get some pictures on here, check those plenum drains.....

I also fancy one of those gear knobs from SMC Trading.....

I don't want to sound soppy here, but I do want to thank all of you for your support over the last few weeks.

I don't mind telling you I was somewhat depressed when I had the accident and it's often felt like I would never get my car back. Thank you all for your sympathy and guidance over the last few weeks.

Hope to be a happier member of the forum (with a new username) from now on....

kevin · 1st March 2008, 14:15

Good to know your happy again. now you can start to enjoy driving a great car must be like picking up a new car after all this time.

bet you keep looking out the window just to see it.

Greeners · 1st March 2008, 15:46

Glad it all worked out in the end, sometimes you do need to take a step back and draw a deep breath.

I hope you enjoy many miles of troble free motoring.

Monte Carlo · 1st March 2008, 16:42

Glad to see to see you have got your car back and you appear satisfied with the repair work.
For my car, the garage has told me that the repair work to the offside front wing should be completed next week - quicker than what I was expecting. However, they are having trouble sourcing the chrome trim. Any ideas anyone?

Snowball · 2nd March 2008, 20:46

Hi BRG 190 Pete

I am pleased to hear that you have got your car back and excellent news that you are pleased with the work.

Mine should have gone into the workshop Friday afternoon, however I am concerned to note that work on yours stopped from time to time as further parts were required. Damage to mine also included impact damage to the front wheel with the steering deranged.

The delay on mine has also been parts. They have recently been trying to source front grill, under tray, closing panel and front wing badge plus SMC always seem very busy. I am hoping the work will be completed within the next week or so assuming no unforeseen problems.

Regards.

Snowball

BRG190 Pete · 2nd March 2008, 21:17

Hi Snowball

The delay on my car was not re the availability of parts. Rather, it was that each time they started work, they found they needed more parts and then stopped work to get approval from the insurance company and order in what they needed.

They also apparently only have one ramp for doing suspension work, which I found surprising to say the least.

I don't want to depress you but it took about 3 weeks from when they first started work on my car to it being ready - so it may take more than a week in your case, especially as your damage seems greater than mine.

I think they got fed up with me, as I phoned at least twice a week to try and speed things up. I'm convinced, though, that if I had not done so, I would still be waiting now.

I guess what counts is that, in the end, they have done a good job on my car. If you want any more specific advice about how I managed to speed things up or who I chased at SMC, then PM me. All the best!

29th February 2008, 17:43	#62
BRG190 Pete Avid contributor None at the moment Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wokingham Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	getting my car back tomorrow Good news at last. Going to SMC tomorrow am to pick up my car. Hope it's OK! The garage did annoy me a little today. This am, I was told that it was all ready except that they still needed to do a 'quality control' check and would phone when it was done. Got to 5pm - no call - so I phoned them, to be told they hadn't had time to do the check and pick-up of the car would be delayed until Monday. I didn't react very well to this, so the garage said they would try to get the check done today after all. 10 mins later the call comes through that the car is ready for collection. I know I'm paranoid, but it looks like the check lasted a max of 5 mins at 5pm on a Friday. Can't see how it will have been very thorough. Does anyone know, please, what they do in a 'quality control' check? Thanks

1st March 2008, 13:47	#63
BRG190 Pete Avid contributor None at the moment Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wokingham Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	great news!!!! At long last, 7 weeks after my accident, the car has been repaired. Went and picked her up this am. As you know, I have been annoyed with SMC over the time it has taken to repair, but I have to say they seem to have done a fantastic job. The paintwork matches very well and certainly I couldn't tell the car has been in an accident. Total bill for the insurance co £2.5k - thought it would be more than that. The car was driving on fumes - so took her to the nearest petrol station and put in £65 - wow, that's £15 more than I've ever spent before. Drove home very carefully and decided not to use the car much over the weekend, as I still have the courtesy car. I'm actually quite nervous about driving her, partly because she's so beautiful, and partly because of the accident. I just want to get used to driving her in my own time. So many things to do - change my user name (can anyone tell me how to do that please?), ask my 11 year old daughter to help me get some pictures on here, check those plenum drains..... I also fancy one of those gear knobs from SMC Trading..... I don't want to sound soppy here, but I do want to thank all of you for your support over the last few weeks. I don't mind telling you I was somewhat depressed when I had the accident and it's often felt like I would never get my car back. Thank you all for your sympathy and guidance over the last few weeks. Hope to be a happier member of the forum (with a new username) from now on....

1st March 2008, 14:15	#64
kevin I really should get out more....... ford focus ghia Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: herts Posts: 2,553 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Good to know your happy again. now you can start to enjoy driving a great car must be like picking up a new car after all this time. bet you keep looking out the window just to see it. Last edited by kevin; 1st March 2008 at 14:19..

1st March 2008, 15:46	#65
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Glad it all worked out in the end, sometimes you do need to take a step back and draw a deep breath. I hope you enjoy many miles of troble free motoring. __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

29th February 2008, 14:58	#61
GagHalfrunt Gets stuck in MG ZT190+ Solar Red Commission No: 396 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Very North Cotswolds Posts: 702 Thanks: 17 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	All I can say is at least they're putting the effort in and replacing the duff parts. The "DirectLine Approved" garage that did my wife's Honda left stuff broken and refused to change them as DirectLine wouldn't approve. Went on for over a year, only stopped pushing them as my wife wrote it off.

1st March 2008, 16:42	#66
Monte Carlo Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colchester Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glad to see to see you have got your car back and you appear satisfied with the repair work. For my car, the garage has told me that the repair work to the offside front wing should be completed next week - quicker than what I was expecting. However, they are having trouble sourcing the chrome trim. Any ideas anyone?

2nd March 2008, 20:46	#67
Snowball Newbie MG ZT 190 SE Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Uxbridge Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi BRG 190 Pete I am pleased to hear that you have got your car back and excellent news that you are pleased with the work. Mine should have gone into the workshop Friday afternoon, however I am concerned to note that work on yours stopped from time to time as further parts were required. Damage to mine also included impact damage to the front wheel with the steering deranged. The delay on mine has also been parts. They have recently been trying to source front grill, under tray, closing panel and front wing badge plus SMC always seem very busy. I am hoping the work will be completed within the next week or so assuming no unforeseen problems. Regards. Snowball

2nd March 2008, 21:17	#68
BRG190 Pete Avid contributor None at the moment Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wokingham Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Snowball The delay on my car was not re the availability of parts. Rather, it was that each time they started work, they found they needed more parts and then stopped work to get approval from the insurance company and order in what they needed. They also apparently only have one ramp for doing suspension work, which I found surprising to say the least. I don't want to depress you but it took about 3 weeks from when they first started work on my car to it being ready - so it may take more than a week in your case, especially as your damage seems greater than mine. I think they got fed up with me, as I phoned at least twice a week to try and speed things up. I'm convinced, though, that if I had not done so, I would still be waiting now. I guess what counts is that, in the end, they have done a good job on my car. If you want any more specific advice about how I managed to speed things up or who I chased at SMC, then PM me. All the best!