Car won't start after panel beater work

bozbargain on 03/02/2016 - 14:51
Last edited 03/02/2016 - 16:37

Our 2011 VW Golf was brought in to a local panel beater for damage as a result of an accident - the damage was cosmetic only, we've been driving around with it for months before getting it fixed. On the day we're supposed to pick up the car, the repairer told us the car wouldn't start anymore. An electrician was brought in by the panel beater as his initial diagnose was that it could be a sensor issue. The electrician couldn't find anything. The car now sits at the panel beater, waiting for us to decide what to do. The car is 4 years old and never had any issues. NRMA said we have a few options:

1) We can get it towed to one of their service centres
2) We can select our own repairer and get it towed there

NRMA told us that if the damage is a result of the accident, they will cover it (unlikely since it's been months since the accident).
If it's negligence because of the panel beater, they are happy to mediate but that is about it. The other possible outcome is that it's normal wear and tear (which I find hard to believe) and that it will be assessed as such. I'm not sure what to do because our own mechanic (that normally does our servicing) is not available for another 10 days. Also, NRMA said we have to pay for the car to be towed away unless their assessor comes to the conclusion that the current fault is because of the accident (again, unlikely IMO).

Any advice on what to do? Obviously, I prefer the car to be brought into a fair repair shop that won't charge the world and, if it's related to negligence on behalf of the panel beater, will help me showing the NRMA and the panel beater accordingly. Also, we don't have car rental insurance so every day without a car costs us money.

edit: added car details

Automotive

Comments

  • bhm133 on 03/02/2016 - 15:20
    +1

    Have you asked what the panel beater thinks it could be?

    Panel beaters can be dusty and dirty places. I would first think that it could be an electrical issue somewhere caused by dust particles. I know you had an electrician look at it, but still. If the car required a respray in or around the engine bay, that could also contribute to it not starting.

    If you can wait, take it to your mechanic. If not, go with NRMA; after all you do pay them a yearly fee. Once you find the problem, then decide whether the panel beater has contributed to the fault.

    I would also ask the panel beater to note on the receipt of work completed that the car does not start upon pick up.

    • bozbargain on 03/02/2016 - 15:58

      Cheers, respray indeed, front and back doors and possibly bumper. The panel beater said it's probably wear & tear.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 03/02/2016 - 16:04
        +2

        Of course they will say it is wear and tear, who send you to the panel beater? yourself or NRMA?

        If it is just the battery problem I can understand it is wear and tear but other then that wont happen over night expect someone did something wrong.

        Also would you mind let us know what is the car model and make?

        • bozbargain on 03/02/2016 - 16:25
          +1

          I chose the panel beater. It's a 2011 VW Golf.

          Of course they will say it is wear and tear

          That's why I wrote which I find hard to believe

  • jatcave on 03/02/2016 - 16:16
    +2

    I'm not sure how this has become your problem. You drove it there, right? So, clearly it was working when it arrived, AND when it was moved from the parking space you put it it upon arrival, AND when it was moved in to be repaired and probably even has been moved out of the way so they can do other vehicles. If it is a sensor, I'd be inclined to think it's overspray causing issues which may have been caused by rushed preparation. Again, not your problem to sort out. I really think you should be pushing that they get it running.

    • bozbargain on 03/02/2016 - 16:29

      Neither do I, hence I'm asking for advice here. Could I insist NRMA to sort it out with the panel beater they authorised to do the work (ie refusing to pick it up until it's fixed)? I guess it would have been easier if this had happened in an NRMA workshop.

      • the-mal on 04/02/2016 - 07:33
        +2

        I would push on both NRMA and the panel beater. As soon as you take the car out of the shop it becomes that much harder to prove what went wrong.

        You left them with a working car before they tinkered with it. They have to return you a working car.

        NRMA will be friendly to you but they'll try their best to not make themselves liable unless you push back. They're trained to do this. Apply some pressure, be adamant with them that they took your working car and you want it working when it's returned. And see how that goes. But be very firm with them.

        I'd also be very firm with the panel bearer. They won't want to lose their authorised status with NRMA so the more of a stink you kick up the more likely they'll come to the party. Again, be really firm without being rude but make it clear this is their problem, not yours. I'd also let them know that you're paying for a hire car whilst they have your car so if it drags on you'll need them to cover that cost. They won't, but it will make them more likely to fix your car if you're a hassle to them.

        In short, push back hard on both NRMA and the panel beater. Don't accept responsibility for a car they broke. Don't let it leave their premises if you can help it.

        • jatcave on 04/02/2016 - 08:05

          My thoughts exactly

  • mrham on 03/02/2016 - 19:00
    +2

    I don't think it would be unreasonable for some 'wear and tear' parts ie battery to start dying after five years. However I would reasonably expect that if I take my car to be repaired then it should be repaired with due care and skill that I can drive it home afterwards.

    See if you can try dig up your service records, they should show the 'wear and tear' parts in the car inc. the battery were working fine prior to the repair so there should be no reason for them to not be working now.

  • Aust on 03/02/2016 - 20:33

    If you need the car, your mechanics away and the auto electrician couldn't find the problem, then you really have no option but your option 1.
    Do you have roadside assistance and if so will that cover the towing to the NRMA service centre?
    Make sure the panel beater isn't going to charge you storage while your leaving it there if your waiting for your mechanic to get back.
    The other option is there has been a few recalls on the golf, pre and post September 2011 models. Maybe take it to the local VW dealer.

  • bozbargain on 03/02/2016 - 20:47

    Do you have roadside assistance and if so will that cover the towing to the NRMA service centre?

    According to NRMA, they won't cover towing since the damage is not related to an incident. The wording on my policy is as per the below:

    If your vehicle is damaged as a result of an incident we cover and it needs to be towed, you are covered for the reasonable cost to tow your vehicle from where the incident happened to a repairer or safe place.

    I would like to think that the 'incident happened' at the panel beater, but NRMA is saying they won't know if it's an incident or wear & tear until after an assessment.

    On the recall part, I had the DSG replaced FOC about 2 years ago.

    • the-mal on 04/02/2016 - 07:36
      +1

      Don't get it towed. As soon as it's not on the panel beaters property it massively diminishes your chances of getting them to fix it. And NRMA won't if it has driven fine for months after the accident.

      This is the panel beaters problem to fix. And if they're a contractor of NRMA then it's also their problem. If you get no traction after pushing the issue hard with them threaten to get the ombudsman involved.

  • oscargamer on 03/02/2016 - 21:13

    Talk to the insurance ombudsman. It's nrma that need to sort this.

  • peteru on 04/02/2016 - 12:53

    If you had an old battery and the car was sitting at the panel beaters for a week without being started, it's entirely possible that the battery has discharged. If the battery is old and not in a great condition, it may have packed it in. A set of jumper leads will give you an answer there - if you can get it jump started then you might just be due for a battery replacement. Or, driving the car around for an hour might get the battery back into shape.

    • BargainKen on 10/02/2016 - 11:21

      I was thinking this but the autoelectrician would have found it.. OP any more information? Does the lights/radio come on when you put the ignition on? Does it crank ? Any fault codes? OBD2 diagnostic tool might be of help here…

  • bozbargain on 04/03/2016 - 13:50
    +1

    Managed to get a decent outcome overall. A faulty tensioner caused significant damage to the engine. After speaking to several mechanics, decided to bring it back to VW. I pushed for a goodwill repair and their after warranty department agreed to pay for parts (100%) and 70% of labour. Left me $500 or so out of pocket on a $7,000+ repair bill (with 24M warranty on the repair). Apparently it's a common enough problem on 2010/2011 Golfs, an improved version of the tensioner was released in 2012. VW confirmed it was unlikely to be caused by negligence. Also got it serviced at the same (60k service which was overdue anyway), got a decent discount on that as well since some of the service costs were related to parts/checks that were covered by the repair anyway. Quite impressed with VW's service overall, only took a few days to assess the problem and agree on the goodwill repair and then 3 days to do the repair. Thanks everyone for your valuable input!

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