Alloy wheels

[Katrina100]

My car was recently in the garage being fixed and while there the mechanic while test driving it bashed the alloy wheel off a kerb and scraped it all.

They have said they will put it into the body shop to repair it but can this be done or should the whole wheel be replaced? Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks

[landie]

They are obliged to pay for a replacement, not a repair.

[Sludge]

No. They are obliged to return you to the position you were in before the accident. How they do it is up to them. You should really take the damaged wheel to an independent Motor Engineer for a written report upon whether the wheel can be satisfactorily repaired or whether the wheel has been structurally damaged and must be replaced. If it was a front wheel you must also consider possible damage to steering and wheel alignment.

[landie]

Difficult to repair a scuffed alloy wheel to the condition it previously was as the metals been removed in places.

[smudge]

As the garage have accepted liability, I would not accept anything other than a new alloy wheel. I would inform them that if they do not do this, you will take the matter up with Trading Standards. Good luck.

[X111]

Errrm, I really think that Sludge has set the position out correctly and that a Trading Standards Officer would say no more than Sludge has. Remember that if you were to insist upon a new wheel (which probably would be betterment as your existing wheel has had use) when your existing one can be satisfactorily repaired the garage will insist upon being paid for it in full before releasing your car (it is a legality called "taking a lien") and leave you to take them to court if you wish.

[smudge]

X111 - Yes I realise that, but the garage doesn't know who Sludge is - they know who Trading Standards are though. 

As I said, if they have admitted liability (saying their mechanic damaged the wheel whilst taking the vehicle on a test run) & it cannot be repaired to the customer's satisfaction, then it should be replaced. I'm sure any sensible customer/owner/driver would agree to paying a betterment contribution for any wear & tear, prior to the damage caused.

Hope this helps you further Katrina 100.