Repair Costs - Grrr

[VOTS01]

I had the misfortune of needing to visit Ikea on a busy Saturday. Whilst parked someone (presumably a 4WD) dented the rear right panel on my P85D.

The damage was an indentation about the size of my hand and wasn't something I was too concerned about (we are insured with Tesla).

Well - imagine my surprise when we got the assessment back: $14,500 and the repairer would need the car for one month.

Whilst I only need to pay a $1,500 excess (even though I was not at fault - the other party is unknown) I see the repair bill and time as materially at odds with the damage which ultimately translates into higher insurance premiums.

It certainly would make me think twice about buying another Tesla. All vehicles have pros and cons but this is one an aspect of Telsa ownership (high repair costs and repair times) that needs to be addressed.

Love the company and car but some of the downsides (failed battery / failed motor and some delivery issues still unresolved after 6 months) are starting to eat into my passion (although Tesla could redeem themselves if AP2 starts to perform how it was sold!)

 

[strykeroz]

Can you get a 2nd opinion?

 

[eclectricdave]

Can you post another pic cant follow this one.

 

[raynewman]

You definately need a second opinion; I have had a ripped (as in torn) rear panel together with broken tail light and the fix came to less than $1500. Hint, don't go to anyone that fixes BMW, Merc etc.

 

[Shock-On-T]

You should definitely shop around.
Aluminium scares some shops and they factor in a huge risk margin.
If you find a shop that's used to working with aluminium they'll do the right price.

 

[Mark E]

Definitely shop around. That sounds pretty excessive for what's shown in the pic. I'd expect that what they are quoting is to completely replace the rear quarter panel.

 

[Homer]

Is that quote from a Tesla authorised repairer? I recently scraped part of my rear quarter panel which required the Tesla authorised repairer to weld some cables onto the panel in order to pull out the dents and then repaint it. The total cost was $1,000 which was the same as my Tesla Insurance excess so I just paid for it myself. It took three days and he even offered to lend me his own Model S to use while he did the repair.

 

[rob2pedals]

Can I ask, was the the repairer our near Granville, I need to get a mini scrape fixed at a reasonable price.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Homer]

Yes that's the one. Ron's a great guy. Loves cars generally and loves Tesla cars in particular.

 

[rob2pedals]

Thanks Homer.

 

[Dborn]

Where oh where has the trade of “panel beater” gone? If ever there was a case where the panel both can and should be beaten, this is it!! Indeed, if they can’t get behind it (which they should be able to from the boot), then temporarily welding on a means to pull it out is indeed the go.
They have quoted you to replace the quarter panel. Ridiculous!

 

[Mark E]

Where oh where has the trade of “panel beater” gone? If ever there was a case where the panel both can and should be beaten, this is it!! Indeed, if they can’t get behind it (which they should be able to from the boot), then temporarily welding on a means to pull it out is indeed the go.
They have quoted you to replace the quarter panel. Ridiculous!

I've seen pointless dent repair pull dents out using a hot glue gun and sticking a plastic tab to the panel and pulling it out.

 

[jelloslug]

Find a competent PDR that is familiar with working with aluminium.

 

[VOTS01]

Hi All

Apologies - disappeared due to work commitments . I have attached another picture that should hopefully give a clearer view of the damage.

I did raise the issue with Tesla and their answer was that the rear panel is 'structural' and is complex and time consuming to remove / replace.

In the period since my first post - the insurance representative did come round to do another level of inspection. No feedback from them other than the car is booked into get repaired in January.

 

[raynewman]

Hi All

Apologies - disappeared due to work commitments . I have attached another picture that should hopefully give a clearer view of the damage.

I did raise the issue with Tesla and their answer was that the rear panel is 'structural' and is complex and time consuming to remove / replace.

In the period since my first post - the insurance representative did come round to do another level of inspection. No feedback from them other than the car is booked into get repaired in January.

This one cost less than $1500 including welding cause I ripped it open and a new tail light.

The following from Tesla at the time.
"Ouch! Let me know what the panel beater says, we can definitely supply the tail lamp that's broken, that rear panel is actually all connected to the chassis of the car making it a structural piece that can only be fitted up by an authorized repair center. So the best bet will be to see if they can fix the panel up."

 

[Dborn]

I still think it should be easily repairable. Rays photo confirms that. It’s only structural if they have to replace it. Not if they repair it!

 

[VOTS01]

This one cost less than $1500 including welding cause I ripped it open and a new tail light.

The following from Tesla at the time.
"Ouch! Let me know what the panel beater says, we can definitely supply the tail lamp that's broken, that rear panel is actually all connected to the chassis of the car making it a structural piece that can only be fitted up by an authorized repair center. So the best bet will be to see if they can fix the panel up."


View attachment 263573

I suspect you all are right - if I took this to a standard repairer to push out and fill / spray - it would be a fraction of the cost and time. If I a spare moment over Christmas I might pop into a repair shop and see what they can do.

The tail light is not damaged neither are any other panels.

 

[Dborn]

This one cost less than $1500 including welding cause I ripped it open and a new tail light.

The following from Tesla at the time.
"Ouch! Let me know what the panel beater says, we can definitely supply the tail lamp that's broken, that rear panel is actually all connected to the chassis of the car making it a structural piece that can only be fitted up by an authorized repair center. So the best bet will be to see if they can fix the panel up."


View attachment 263573

That actually is very cheap, Ray. The quote to simply respray a panel with no other repair can easily be that price! Certainly in Sydney at a high end repairer. Maybe it is different up in the sunshine state. Perhaps overheads are lower there?

 

[raynewman]

That actually is very cheap, Ray. The quote to simply respray a panel with no other repair can easily be that price! Certainly in Sydney at a high end repairer. Maybe it is different up in the sunshine state. Perhaps overheads are lower there?

This repairer (who has now done two repairs on our A1 and three on the Tesla) is much cheaper than the local BMW robber.
I got the tail light from Tesla for $470 + shipping and the repair was less than $1000 including welding. Every job he's done has been ace.

 

[Vostok]

I wouldn't bother getting that kind of minor damage repaired if it was going to come off my insurance. I had to look hard in the photo to see it.