Thanks perfectos. VW Bristol's bodyshop was about £650. I would like to try and remove the trim myself. I have been told it is a difficult job. The rest of the tailgate is fine, very new really! What do you mean 'smart repair company'? I was told the whole thing needs to be resprayed, but as surprised at that. The company that repaired it says the guarantee (it was done in winter 2018) is not transferable to me as a new owner. They are in Derbyshire. I am in Bristol!
See below code of conduct an warranty for work for NBRA members.
As far as I’m aware the warranty offered by vehicle repair companies is not solely limited to the original customer
Important: Was the work carried out under an insurance claim, if so you can get the insurer involved whom will make the repair company fix the works the insurers paid for ? If not they can be struck off the supplier list for that insurer
Presuming the company is reputable and a memenber of the trade association?
This issue by the very nature is incorrect / poor workmanship / materials, you have a case if you wanted to pursue the original repair co.
You have this confirmed by another “reputable “ repair company !
Personally I would not let this one go, due to the cost of the remedial works, the obvious poor workmanship and the relatively recent period of time the work was carried out ( less than two years) which is not an acceptable period of time as the expectation is that body repair work should solve a problem not introduce one a relatively short period of time later, particularly due to the original poor workmanship!
I wold appeal to the companies better nature, and point out the facts and the U.K. consumer law ( google it)
If they refuse to carry out the repair solely at their full cost, which would involve collecting you vehicle from you home on a truck and delivering it back to you,
I would threaten the repair co with trading standards and if they are a member of the trade body make contact with them also to report the issue and the lack of cooperation by its member !
If the original repair co. refuse to carry out the remedial repair relating to their poor workmanship, you could have the repair carried out by your nominated company and take the company to small claims to recover the cost of the remedial works it’s unlikely that the original repair co. would attend a court in Bristol ?
The threat of this may loosen the attitude from the original repair co. And see you with a repair at no cost to you.