Best way to top off 2020 - repair recommendation needed!

[Mrpraline]

As if 2020 couldn’t get any worse! To put it politely, my other half made an unauthorised modification to my our van yesterday.

Insurance have agreed to pay which is a relief, although the excess is still a kicker. And I was 3 months away from being able to protect 4 years of no claims!

Anyway, s**t happens. After I insisted on VW approved they recommended Twickenham repair centre which I was pleased about as I know +Zebedee had a good experience of them. Sadly they say they aren’t able to carry out the repair as they don’t deal with Californias any more.

They’ve asked me who I’d like to use. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good repair centre not a million miles away from Surrey? Although happy to drive to somewhere that will do the job right.

Thanks ever so much

Paul

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

As if 2020 couldn’t get any worse! To put it politely, my other half made an unauthorised modification to my our van yesterday.

Insurance have agreed to pay which is a relief, although the excess is still a kicker. And I was 3 months away from being able to protect 4 years of no claims!

Anyway, s**t happens. After I insisted on VW approved they recommended Twickenham repair centre which I was pleased about as I know +Zebedee had a good experience of them. Sadly they say they aren’t able to carry out the repair as they don’t deal with Californias any more.

They’ve asked me who I’d like to use. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good repair centre not a million miles away from Surrey? Although happy to drive to somewhere that will do the job right.

Thanks ever so much

Paul

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Ouch !!
Why don’t Twickenham touch California’s any more, did they say?

 

[Borris]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck Paul. I think we will all be glad to see the back of 2020.

I would recommend AB Crush at Dover.

Vehicle Accident Repair Centre Canterbury, Kent, South East

A B Crush covers every aspect of vehicle accident body repair in the Canterbury, Kent area.

www.abcrush.co.uk

They are not that far from you and I can thoroughly recommend their work having used them before. They are VW group specialists and don't cut corners. I am sure they would also collect and return your Cali as well.

It's a good job you have a Beach as I suspect that wound would be considerably more difficult and expensive to fix on an Ocean. Don't worry it will look like new again soon.

 

[Loz]

It's not as if they have to remove the whole wardrobe affair?

 

[Meoncoast]

Twickenham repair centre which I was pleased about as I know +Zebedee had a good experience of them. Sadly they say they aren’t able to carry out the repair as they don’t deal with Californias any more.

I would explain re a Beach without the need to remove camping units which may well be why they do not undertake Cali's. However, I would not fault AB Crush who did the full VW roof repair on our 2012 van. We also used Peter Coopers for a VW approved large rear end claim on our 2012 and the service was 1st class in 2015/6 They are based at Bognor Regis.

 

[Mrpraline]

I'm not sure about Twickenham. They told the insurance company it was because they don't have a big enough oven. I rang them directly and explained they'd come recommended because of their prior work but she maintained it wasn't possible. I even got her to chat with the manager but she came back saying they wouldn't do it. No mention of the oven. I speculate it's because they felt it was more trouble than it was worth, but you're right Meoncoast, perhaps they didn't realise it doesn't have the kitchen.

Thanks for the recommendation though, and to Borris, will check out AB Crush. I used to live in Canterbury so good excuse to go back.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

AD Williams (Brighton) did a good job of ours through insurance. They also have workshops in other areas.

 

[dvla3336]

I've had some work done at a b crush there work was spot on they are vw approved i was thinking about paintwork warranty looks like a long job maybe get a courtesy car from them i did ide recommend them

 

[SusiBus]

AB Crush in Canterbury 01 304 830 383.
We had our roof repair done on our T5.1, and a sliding door respray, first class job. Julie Crush runs the admin very efficiently. They do the Sportline conversions for VW, so very much VW approved. Maybe a bit too far to travel?

 

[blakeley]

If that is nearside there is a good chance they will need to take out the whole wardrobe and kitchen unit which is what I ended up with

 

[Meoncoast]

If that is nearside there is a good chance they will need to take out the whole wardrobe and kitchen unit which is what I ended up with

It a Beach

 

[blakeley]

It a Beach

Oops, that will teach me to not read a post properly, that's quite a straight forward job then, I would not worry too much about it being a California specialist

 

[Elizabeth Silman]

As if 2020 couldn’t get any worse! To put it politely, my other half made an unauthorised modification to my our van yesterday.

Insurance have agreed to pay which is a relief, although the excess is still a kicker. And I was 3 months away from being able to protect 4 years of no claims!

Anyway, s**t happens. After I insisted on VW approved they recommended Twickenham repair centre which I was pleased about as I know +Zebedee had a good experience of them. Sadly they say they aren’t able to carry out the repair as they don’t deal with Californias any more.

They’ve asked me who I’d like to use. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good repair centre not a million miles away from Surrey? Although happy to drive to somewhere that will do the job right.

Thanks ever so much

Paul

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I have some sympathy with your other half - I've had similar photos of both van no 2 and van no 3!

 

[zub]

I'm in Putney, not too far from you in Twickenham.

My old van was damaged in a very similar place, the local VW dealer couldn't do it because it was too big for their workshop, I got it done by HR Owen's Bodytechnics in Slough who did a very good job. All under insurance as an approved repairer.

H.R. Owen Bodytechnics Aftersales & Parts

H.R. Owen Bodytechnics Aftersales and parts at H.R. Owen. Manufacturer-approved, view our services and contact details at H.R. Owen.

www.hrowen.co.uk

Best wishes.

 

[Zebedee]

Sympathies with the other half. That area is a complete blind spot which I’m now totally paranoid about. It was a big job on my Ocean even though it was a 5mph scrape on a bollard and cost £8000! Twickenham were fab but I suspect didn’t make loads of money over it after removing all the bits. I suspect the word California gave them palpitations! Sorry. Best of luck with it. Worthwhile finding the right place for your pride and joy!

 

[Skyflier]

As if 2020 couldn’t get any worse! To put it politely, my other half made an unauthorised modification to my our van yesterday.

Insurance have agreed to pay which is a relief, although the excess is still a kicker. And I was 3 months away from being able to protect 4 years of no claims!

Anyway, s**t happens. After I insisted on VW approved they recommended Twickenham repair centre which I was pleased about as I know +Zebedee had a good experience of them. Sadly they say they aren’t able to carry out the repair as they don’t deal with Californias any more.

They’ve asked me who I’d like to use. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good repair centre not a million miles away from Surrey? Although happy to drive to somewhere that will do the job right.

Thanks ever so much

Paul

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I have used Dinnages Haywards Heath as an ins repairer. First class service and repair after a French deer ran into the front. I have used on a previous van again excellent

 

[flying banana]

some side bars might have prevented that ?
easy to swap out a damaged side bar. might be worth investing in some when you've had it fixed

 

[Perfectos]

I have used Dinnages Haywards Heath as an ins repairer. First class service and repair after a French deer ran into the front. I have used on a previous van again excellent

Biche or Cerf ?

 

[Mrpraline]

Gone a bit dark on the forum, but meant to follow up on this. Thanks so much for the recommendations. I went for AB crush as a few of you suggested and cannot fault them - they did an absolutely superb job.

I keep meaning to take a photo during the 5 minutes the van is clean every few months, but to be honest it just looks exactly as it did when it was new. You literally cannot tell. Thanks again and to AB Crush for their sterling work.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Don’t forget by telling the forum about vehicle damage you need to inform any future buyer about any damage repair that’s been done. Be careful that your vehicle doesn’t end up with a category for damage. In some cases even small amounts of damage can make your vehicle unsellable even if it’s been repaired correctly by a reputable repairer. I know I would want to know if I was buying a damaged repaired vehicle.

 

[Mrpraline]

Thanks Ozzy. Good point. I try to always be honest whenever I'm selling anything anyhow.

Planning to run this beauty till it's banned, so hopefully shouldn't be a problem!

 

[andyinluton]

Don’t forget by telling the forum about vehicle damage you need to inform any future buyer about any damage repair that’s been done. Be careful that your vehicle doesn’t end up with a category for damage. In some cases even small amounts of damage can make your vehicle unsellable even if it’s been repaired correctly by a reputable repairer. I know I would want to know if I was buying a damaged repaired vehicle.

I disagree.
As a private seller you do not have to declare any repairs. You must not however missrepresent the vehicle. eg state its never been damaged if you know it has been.
There is no way any vehicle is going to end up with a marker after it has been repaired. The marker would always be added before the repair as its insurance company that adds it, its the insurance companies assessment as to whether the vehicle is a viable repair.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I disagree.
As a private seller you do not have to declare any repairs. You must not however missrepresent the vehicle. eg state its never been damaged if you know it has been.
There is no way any vehicle is going to end up with a marker after it has been repaired. The marker would always be added before the repair as its insurance company that adds it, its the insurance companies assessment as to whether the vehicle is a viable repair.

//​

Private sale​

If buying privately, it's really a case of 'buyer beware'. It's up to you to ask the right questions and inspect the car thoroughly before buying.'

The only legal terms that cover a private sale contract are:

• The seller must have the right to sell the car

• The vehicle should match the description given by the seller

• The car must be roadworthy

If all else fails, you can try to take your case to the Small Claims Court.

If you do go to the small claims court, you would have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the vendor knew about a fault, but withheld the information, before selling the car to you.
//

 

[andyinluton]

@Ch1pbutty
I'm not sure if you are agreeing or disagreeing?
Properly repaired bodywork would not be regarded as a fault.

 

[Perfectos]

Cars are repaired every day of the week, some quite severely damage.
Proper repairs can return the vehicle to preaccident condition And visually be undetectable.
if cars weren’t repaired they would end up as scrap and your / mine yearly insurance premiums would be unviable.

You may be surprised at how many “new” cars are damaged and repaired , the dealer won’t tell you either ! (Even if you do ask )