Vehicle Body Repairs
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From: Stanmore
Originally Posted by lovegroova' timestamp='1403003857' post='23206338
Did insurance engineers used to inspect every repair, or was that done on a spot check basis?
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From: Ulaanbaatar
I can appreciate the commercial logic that repairs which are relatively straightforward and/or under a certain value are undertaken on the basis of trust in the approved repairer, however the seemingly dominant platform for estimating/approval - Audatex - is simply homogenising the entire repair industry and is clearly open to abuse.
From a punter's perspective I would suggest it's alleged efficiency confers little or no benefit, only a perceived cost saving to the insurer and an opportunity for sharp practice on the part of the repairer.
The repairers will no doubt argue that they have been screwed to the wall on costs, whilst insurers will bang-on about the cost of repairs vs. premiums. Add in referral fees, claims management companies, inflated hire car costs, spurious claims and it's a business that would suit a corrupt third world economy.
There's - allegedly - a big shake-up coming but given the industry and those with whom it is populated, I don't hold out much hope for meaningful reform.
The noises from the industry are that manufacturers are seeking to increase their presence in the repair sector and this might be a move in the right direction. Audi are building a dedicated repair facility in Newcastle and given that some of the repair materials and tools required for an 'Approved' Audi repair are unavailable to non-franchised dealers, this may well be the shape of things to come with other manufacturers.
From a punter's perspective I would suggest it's alleged efficiency confers little or no benefit, only a perceived cost saving to the insurer and an opportunity for sharp practice on the part of the repairer.
The repairers will no doubt argue that they have been screwed to the wall on costs, whilst insurers will bang-on about the cost of repairs vs. premiums. Add in referral fees, claims management companies, inflated hire car costs, spurious claims and it's a business that would suit a corrupt third world economy.
There's - allegedly - a big shake-up coming but given the industry and those with whom it is populated, I don't hold out much hope for meaningful reform.
The noises from the industry are that manufacturers are seeking to increase their presence in the repair sector and this might be a move in the right direction. Audi are building a dedicated repair facility in Newcastle and given that some of the repair materials and tools required for an 'Approved' Audi repair are unavailable to non-franchised dealers, this may well be the shape of things to come with other manufacturers.
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From: Stanmore
If you think that Audi prices will be low enough to reduce premiums you are being very naive (see your other threads on how well main dealers carry out their work - it'll be cable tie city!)
Plans are afoot to cap courtesy car costs http://www.bbc.com/n...siness-27807832 as well as a few other things.
However, costs of repairs are relatively inconsequential compared to liability claims, inflated by our so-called legal "profession" which is currently handing out iPads to encourage people to make claims: http://www.bbc.com/n...siness-27733576
Add that to £0.8bn of fraud and you have a very sorry state of affairs. http://www.bbc.com/n...siness-27608316
Plans are afoot to cap courtesy car costs http://www.bbc.com/n...siness-27807832 as well as a few other things.
However, costs of repairs are relatively inconsequential compared to liability claims, inflated by our so-called legal "profession" which is currently handing out iPads to encourage people to make claims: http://www.bbc.com/n...siness-27733576
Add that to £0.8bn of fraud and you have a very sorry state of affairs. http://www.bbc.com/n...siness-27608316
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From: Ulaanbaatar
I am not deluded to think premiums would in any way be affected!
... But it might just result in a - slightly - improved quality of repair if there is a desire to protect the brand's values and there's a system to ensure it is policed.
Given that transfer pricing of parts between the dealer/franchisor and repairer would also be significantly advantageous, margins would improve and allow appropriate time and skills to be employed for a repair.
May be I am delusional...
As an update to the Citigo fog light story, the Skoda dealer has called me to inform me that the part has arrived. There is in fact no separate part for the adhesive gasket to affix the foglight to the rear of the bumper. The adhesive strip is integral with the foglight plastic mount.
That's odd. According to the customer services dude, the repair invoice stated two new fog lights were fitted. If there were indeed fitted, then the new fog lights would be complete with the adhesive strip and there would be no requirement to use Sikaflex.
My Holmes-like powers of deduction lead to me to suspect that new fog lights were not in fact fitted...
... But it might just result in a - slightly - improved quality of repair if there is a desire to protect the brand's values and there's a system to ensure it is policed.
Given that transfer pricing of parts between the dealer/franchisor and repairer would also be significantly advantageous, margins would improve and allow appropriate time and skills to be employed for a repair.
May be I am delusional...
As an update to the Citigo fog light story, the Skoda dealer has called me to inform me that the part has arrived. There is in fact no separate part for the adhesive gasket to affix the foglight to the rear of the bumper. The adhesive strip is integral with the foglight plastic mount.
That's odd. According to the customer services dude, the repair invoice stated two new fog lights were fitted. If there were indeed fitted, then the new fog lights would be complete with the adhesive strip and there would be no requirement to use Sikaflex.
My Holmes-like powers of deduction lead to me to suspect that new fog lights were not in fact fitted...
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From: Survivalist enclave
I am not deluded to think premiums would in any way be affected!
... But it might just result in a - slightly - improved quality of repair if there is a desire to protect the brand's values and there's a system to ensure it is policed.
Given that transfer pricing of parts between the dealer/franchisor and repairer would also be significantly advantageous, margins would improve and allow appropriate time and skills to be employed for a repair.
May be I am delusional...
As an update to the Citigo fog light story, the Skoda dealer has called me to inform me that the part has arrived. There is in fact no separate part for the adhesive gasket to affix the foglight to the rear of the bumper. The adhesive strip is integral with the foglight plastic mount.
That's odd. According to the customer services dude, the repair invoice stated two new fog lights were fitted. If there were indeed fitted, then the new fog lights would be complete with the adhesive strip and there would be no requirement to use Sikaflex.
My Holmes-like powers of deduction lead to me to suspect that new fog lights were not in fact fitted...
... But it might just result in a - slightly - improved quality of repair if there is a desire to protect the brand's values and there's a system to ensure it is policed.
Given that transfer pricing of parts between the dealer/franchisor and repairer would also be significantly advantageous, margins would improve and allow appropriate time and skills to be employed for a repair.
May be I am delusional...
As an update to the Citigo fog light story, the Skoda dealer has called me to inform me that the part has arrived. There is in fact no separate part for the adhesive gasket to affix the foglight to the rear of the bumper. The adhesive strip is integral with the foglight plastic mount.
That's odd. According to the customer services dude, the repair invoice stated two new fog lights were fitted. If there were indeed fitted, then the new fog lights would be complete with the adhesive strip and there would be no requirement to use Sikaflex.
My Holmes-like powers of deduction lead to me to suspect that new fog lights were not in fact fitted...
Watson.
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hertford
Originally Posted by gaddafi' timestamp='1402939648' post='23205302
the answer to the question posed by the op is self-evident if you take a look at the typical bodyshop employee
these are not on the whole people motivated by pride in their work
low standards are accepted by the majority of customers which also explains why they are so often perplexed when taken to to task over the quality of their work
in my not inconsiderable experience, close examination of most repairs will show up either:
a defect in the paint
a bodge in refitting parts and panels - the most common being the omission of gaskets, clips and screws
these are not on the whole people motivated by pride in their work
low standards are accepted by the majority of customers which also explains why they are so often perplexed when taken to to task over the quality of their work
in my not inconsiderable experience, close examination of most repairs will show up either:
a defect in the paint
a bodge in refitting parts and panels - the most common being the omission of gaskets, clips and screws
The most common, laziest bodyshop employee will also get away with p*ss poor preperation to a panel. I've seen many times where a panel hasn't been sanded back properly, using all the graded for a smooth finish, before the final paint / top coat. In fact, on my old Mk4 Golf there was a door panel that clearly showed this... What happens is, the "cutting corner" happens when the bodyshop bodger sands back the panel (after filling) with only a fine grade sander. Then quickly primes this, and paints too soon. (this will show a superb finish when buffed up.... for a "short time").
Once the primer has fully cured (it can take several weeks for the paint to fully harden), evidence of sanding grazes & strokes becomes evident... it almost looks like the panel has been painted with a brush.
Gets me cross!!
After a year or so, the car looked a right 2 & 8.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Ulaanbaatar
Finally sorted...
The car returns to the repairer next week for the fog lights to be installed correctly. I was going to do the fix myself but the entire front bumper cover and front wheel arch liners require removal.
As I suspected the correct Skoda parts required to install the fog light feature a pre-affixed, double-sided adhesive foam gasket with some wünder-bond to hold them to the inside of the front bumper. Quite clever design IMHO; it's very quick to assemble in the factory, and in the event of a minor knock the foam detaches rather then breaking the fog light unit per se.
As a result of not using £8-worth of correct parts and carrying out the repair incorrectly, the remedy require's my time, a day in the repairer's, a loan car for me, and of course further work on the Citigo by Oreopithecus bambolii.
The car returns to the repairer next week for the fog lights to be installed correctly. I was going to do the fix myself but the entire front bumper cover and front wheel arch liners require removal.
As I suspected the correct Skoda parts required to install the fog light feature a pre-affixed, double-sided adhesive foam gasket with some wünder-bond to hold them to the inside of the front bumper. Quite clever design IMHO; it's very quick to assemble in the factory, and in the event of a minor knock the foam detaches rather then breaking the fog light unit per se.
As a result of not using £8-worth of correct parts and carrying out the repair incorrectly, the remedy require's my time, a day in the repairer's, a loan car for me, and of course further work on the Citigo by Oreopithecus bambolii.
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