So I took my car to get worked on a couple of days ago (2007 MCS)..and my Service Advisor calls to inform me that someone backed into the rear bumper of my vehicle. I'm pretty upset about this situation because that car has a little over 600 miles on it. Yes I know things could be a lot worse...but now I have to deal my mini having a repainted bumper I don't know what to do or how to confront them when i pick up my car. I guess time will tell

 

Sorry to hear that. at least your dealer was upfront with you about it and I'm guessing they are doing it free of charge? or do you have to go through your insurance? I'm not sure if there's much you can do if someone else backed into it as it's not really their fault, but if it was them, maybe you can get a free hat or something? I wouldn't really expect anything, but who knows.

 

Under no circumstance wold it NOT be their fault, once they take possession of it, it is their obligation to take responsibility for it. I can't possibly imagine them not just fixing it after letting the owner know and getting approval to do the work. Frustrating none the less though, sorry to hear that happen to ya.

 

hm.. interesting, I never knew that. So if the car was parked at the lot, waiting for pickup and someone hit it, it's their responsibility and you would never have to go through your insurance?

 

True.

It's why dealerships carry liability insurance. TOTALLY their fault.

 

Had a similar thing happen to me. went in fr service walk back to the waiting area to watch them bring it around to the garage....SA comes backsays "I have some bad news" they ran Herinto the back of a 7 series. Took an extra week to get the Pearl back so I had a laner, butthey covered everything, never had to involve my ins co.

 

Perhaps we should start a Repainted Rear Bumper Club. Mine is in getting the bumper replaced after a supermarket parking lot meeting with a BMW.

You should look carefully at the paint color. It is often difficult to match metallic paints on plastic vs. metal. Just make sure it looks good. That is something you can complain about.

I'd also ask if there was any structural damage.

 

I'm interested in why your car is being worked on with 600 miles at the dealership?. Chalk it up to bad luck and their insurance should cover it.

 

I believe every person who is involved with moving cars at a car dealership is at least covered by liability at the dealership's expense, just in case things like this happen.

Is the damage anything more than paint chips and scratches? I had someone run into my bumper and the paint stood up better than the bumper cover did. I figure since your car only has 600 miles on the clock, get them to throw in something extra since aftermarket paint and panels (even if OEM, but not from the factory) make your car depreciate even more.

As for how to confront them, just talk to the SA when you pick up the car. Remember to be calm and professional about it. An SA is more likely to help a calm person, than someone who is upset and foaming at the mouth.

 

That Bites The Big One ! A couple of months ago one of my employee's backed into the front of Mr. Smiles. A customer of mine (a local bodyshop) did a great job on the repair and you would never know it was ever hit. I do know how you feel though (horrible), but I'm sure your dealer will make it right.

 

...and where does that employee work now?

 

Oh that totally stinks...so sorry...but at least the dealer was up front with you and yes - it's their responsibility to fix it and fix it to PERFECT condition...

Donna

 

Well..the car was initially in at 600 miles for a check engine light....go figure However, here in texas, if a car has less than 100 miles and it is damaged by another party, you are entitled to a 1000.00 + depreciation fee. The dealership was REALLY intent on fixing my car for me there...however, I have a body shop and service station and will let them fix it for me. It's still very frustrating to have a brand new car in the shop at 600 miles, and then damaged by the dealership to add insult to injury. Nothing is going right for me these days

 

That sucks, sorry to hear that. So, will the dealership be paying or your insurance?

 

The dealership will definitely have to pay for it. I'm on my way right now to pick the car up, get a 3rd party estimate, then drive on back to the dealership. I guess after an event like this, I would be more inclined to visit another mini dealership for warranty work. I don't feel comfortable taking it back to them for work because now I feel as if they would be indifferent towards me when i'd go back...

 

I don't think you should have these fears. The dealer has insurance. It's a simple business risk. They have clear liability. The only reason I could see for them holding it against you is if you act like an *** about it. Yes, the car is new and, yes, things like this are upsetting, but accidents do happen. They seem to be taking responsibility, so don't sweat it.

 

Just remember that old saying, "It's always darkest just before it turns totally black!..."

 

Sorry to hear about it, having a car damaged while in the care of a dealer is very frustrating - at least they are taking care of things in a direct way vs some of the BS I've had to deal with (always have them sign off on a walk around when you drop a car off and check your car over when picking it up..).

Just make sure the car is perfect and the work/paint comes with a lifetime warranty like good shops offer, and they should give you a good loaner car for the duration.

 

wouldn't they be nicer after messing up your car? As long as you are nice about it, it would seem to me that they would feel guilty and treat you better if anything.

 

Not to mention that (sadly) you are surely not the first MINI owner to have their car damaged at their dealership. I'm sure it happens more often than any of us would like to think.

 

Hah! I can attest to that...

 

Which dealership here in Texas?
Thanks

 

not to be insensitive, but what is the big deal? It's a car. The bumper got hit. The bumper will get fixed. No cash out of your pocket. Do you really think that in a year or two a repainted bumper will make you car worth less? Heck after 34000 miles I wish my dealer would damage/repaint my rear bumper...

 

Hey I made 6th Gear!!

 

If it were me, I would be more concerned with what they were doing to cause the damage than the actual car damage (well, depending on how minor/major the damage is). I've heard of way too many M3's that got totalled because of unathorized joyrides in customer cars and the like. But yeah, I believe my car is due for a new paint job on the front bumper, 30k miles later.

BTW, congrats on 6th gear.