Sydney body shop to repair scratch following keying

[bena]

Hi folks

My Model X P100D passenger door was keyed on 24 February. It was parked legally and correctly (well within lines) at Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre, but a Volkswagon driver parked in the disabled spot beside us (whom I've never seen before) simply came over keyed it before casually driving away. While the Blackvue identifies the offender's registration, the Police just gave me an event number and said it was a different local area command so it has to be transferred across and prioritised by them in due course. I have little expectation to hear from them again.

Our nearest Tesla-accredited body shop took a look and advised it would cost $4,000 to $5,000 to repair, as it's a 45 cm scratch in red paint which means they have to sand and repaint the front panel, passenger door, rear passenger door and rear panels. He said they don't have to remove any doors, just the accessories and trims. There was concern about the trim clips breaking, thus the variation in estimate.

Nevertheless it seems an extraordinary amount of money. I have a $2,000 excess on the NRMA policy but fear the consequences of a claim for future premiums. When walking around the body shop with the manager today he showed me two other work-in-progress Tesla repairs and remarked one was around $60,000 for hail damage and the other around $120,000 for a front-end crash. I can see why insurance premiums on these vehicles are out of control.

The question is can any of your recommend a reputable body shop that might provide me a more competitive price, hopefully closer to my excess amount? I don't mind if I am without the car a while or have to travel a bit. Or if they're all charging similar amounts I guess I'll have to just make a claim and live with the next 5 years of higher insurance premiums because someone else didn't like the look of a Model X. Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[raynewman]

Hi folks

My Model X P100D passenger door was keyed on 24 February. It was parked legally and correctly (well within lines) at Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre, but a Volkswagon driver parked in the disabled spot beside us (whom I've never seen before) simply came over keyed it before casually driving away. While the Blackvue identifies the offender's registration, the Police just gave me an event number and said it was a different local area command so it has to be transferred across and prioritised by them in due course. I have little expectation to hear from them again.

Our nearest Tesla-accredited body shop took a look and advised it would cost $4,000 to $5,000 to repair, as it's a 45 cm scratch in red paint which means they have to sand and repaint the front panel, passenger door, rear passenger door and rear panels. He said they don't have to remove any doors, just the accessories and trims. There was concern about the trim clips breaking, thus the variation in estimate.

Nevertheless it seems an extraordinary amount of money. I have a $2,000 excess on the NRMA policy but fear the consequences of a claim for future premiums. When walking around the body shop with the manager today he showed me two other work-in-progress Tesla repairs and remarked one was around $60,000 for hail damage and the other around $120,000 for a front-end crash. I can see why insurance premiums on these vehicles are out of control.

The question is can any of your recommend a reputable body shop that might provide me a more competitive price, hopefully closer to my excess amount? I don't mind if I am without the car a while or have to travel a bit. Or if they're all charging similar amounts I guess I'll have to just make a claim and live with the next 5 years of higher insurance premiums because someone else didn't like the look of a Model X. Any suggestions much appreciated.

Hang in there; I backed my S into a truck tray ripping the back area and smashing a tail light. The tail light cost less than $500 from Tesla (in stock in Sydney) and the local repair shop welded up the aluminum body, fixed and painted for less than $1000 - so all good and under the excess. Shop is called Kassulkes at Everton Park, Brisbane but I guess that's not much good to you.

Basically, don't use a Tesla recommended shop as they are usually BMW and/or Merc shops and total robbers.

 

[mhh]

If you have a good record with your insurance company, an increase in premium for a no-fault claim is unlikely. If you are up for the excess anyway, the size of claim isn’t your problem. I would certainly use a Tesla approved repairer. They are approved for a reason.

 

[paulp]

Hi folks

My Model X P100D passenger door was keyed on 24 February. It was parked legally and correctly (well within lines) at Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre, but a Volkswagon driver parked in the disabled spot beside us (whom I've never seen before) simply came over keyed it before casually driving away. While the Blackvue identifies the offender's registration, the Police just gave me an event number and said it was a different local area command so it has to be transferred across and prioritised by them in due course. I have little expectation to hear from them again.

Our nearest Tesla-accredited body shop took a look and advised it would cost $4,000 to $5,000 to repair, as it's a 45 cm scratch in red paint which means they have to sand and repaint the front panel, passenger door, rear passenger door and rear panels. He said they don't have to remove any doors, just the accessories and trims. There was concern about the trim clips breaking, thus the variation in estimate.

Nevertheless it seems an extraordinary amount of money. I have a $2,000 excess on the NRMA policy but fear the consequences of a claim for future premiums. When walking around the body shop with the manager today he showed me two other work-in-progress Tesla repairs and remarked one was around $60,000 for hail damage and the other around $120,000 for a front-end crash. I can see why insurance premiums on these vehicles are out of control.

The question is can any of your recommend a reputable body shop that might provide me a more competitive price, hopefully closer to my excess amount? I don't mind if I am without the car a while or have to travel a bit. Or if they're all charging similar amounts I guess I'll have to just make a claim and live with the next 5 years of higher insurance premiums because someone else didn't like the look of a Model X. Any suggestions much appreciated.

The trim clips for a full door are worth about $10. Fairly certain most tesla workshops keep plenty in stock as they often break when door handles are replaced, or rattles sorted out. Any repairer claiming these are worth $1000 is ripping off the system. I’d be going elsewhere. I use a guy in Adelaide who fixed a door and rear panel scratch for $1000 (metallic black). The traditional crash repairer wanted $5000. The company I use specialise in looking after expensive collector cars. Exceptional job with 1 day turnaround. You just need to find someone like that in your area.

 

[meloccom]

I'm not sure it's necessary to go to a Tesla approved repairer for such a small repair, particularly if it's paint only and there is no dent.
I would also show it to a detailer first if the colour coat has not been breached.
The only repairer I have used recently is Epsom Smash in Alexandria, around the corner from the Tesla Service Centre who did a good job on my previous car, but it was Holden in Fern white.

 

[Shock-On-T]

Tragic news, especially because I also park my Model S at that aquatic centre !!
Any chance you can share the license plate so I don't park next to the guy?

 

[Tension]

If you have the incident recorded, then you would just need to put a claim in with your insurance agency, explain what happened, and notify them you have video evidence. They would wave the excess because you're not at fault. When the responsible party challenges the claim (as they no doubt would do), the video should be all the evidence your insurance company needs. Can you clearly see the individual in the footage? Or is it more so assumed that it was them from circumstances?

 

[paulp]

Tragic news, especially because I also park my Model S at that aquatic centre !!
Any chance you can share the license plate so I don't park next to the guy?

He might park next to you.

 

[paulp]

If you have the incident recorded, then you would just need to put a claim in with your insurance agency, explain what happened, and notify them you have video evidence. They would wave the excess because you're not at fault. When the responsible party challenges the claim (as they no doubt would do), the video should be all the evidence your insurance company needs. Can you clearly see the individual in the footage? Or is it more so assumed that it was them from circumstances?

I’ve been through an issue where I provided high resolution footage of a vehicle doing damage (including licence plate) He then got out and attempted more damage wearing sufficient headwear to avoid identification. The car owner claimed to police that he loaned the car to a friend that night but it was a party and wasn’t sure which one....so nothing eventuated.
So without a detailed face shot, nothing happens.

 

[bena]

I also park my Model S at that aquatic centre !! Any chance you can share the license plate so I don't park next to the guy?

I'm reluctant to write the license plate, but he's easy to avoid. Based on a few visits to the pool since, he parks in the disabled spots (he has a sticker), drives a grey VW, and it has a dent behind the front passenger wheel. It's pretty rare to get one of the great spots near the entrance anyway, so chances are you can avoid him just by parking nowhere near the disabled section. I got lucky with the parking spot, but unlucky with unprovoked vindictive behavior from this guy.

 

[Shock-On-T]

I'm reluctant to write the license plate, but he's easy to avoid. Based on a few visits to the pool since, he parks in the disabled spots (he has a sticker), drives a grey VW, and it has a dent behind the front passenger wheel. It's pretty rare to get one of the great spots near the entrance anyway, so chances are you can avoid him just by parking nowhere near the disabled section. I got lucky with the parking spot, but unlucky with unprovoked vindictive behavior from this guy.

Thanks, I'll take that advice.
It still boggles my mind how people can damage a beautiful car.

 

[bena]

Can you clearly see the individual in the footage? Or is it more so assumed that it was them from circumstances?

The footage is from front and rear Blackvue cameras. It covers a 4 hour period from the hand washing of the car that morning (by multiple people) when the scratch was not present, to the visit to the pool, to subsequent discovery of the damage (by multiple people). So we have uninterrupted proof the scratch happened and who went beside the car, but we do not have them actually scratching it. There were only four groups passing the car in the period:

1. A guy wearing a Google shirt who passed by in under 3 seconds and was carrying nothing in his hand that could cause damage in that period.
2. A mother and a daughter of about 6 years old for 10 seconds. Unlikely offenders.
3. A mother and two children about 8 and 10 years old for 12 seconds. Unlikely offenders.
4. The VW guy.

The VM guy was carrying a bag and keys. He went to his driver door (away from the Model X) then put away his bag. He then without explanation walked around to our car, disappears from camera for 53 seconds, then reappears. He the drives off.

It's pretty clear who did it, but the pool won't give me footage (they'll only give it to the police). And the police couldn't give a crap obviously. Insurance will tell me I don't have the name, address and license of the offender so cough up the excess.

The worst thing about all this is I rarely take the Model X to the pool or carparks in general. I only did it this day as a family friend's teenage kids wanted to see the car at a BBQ we attended immediately thereafter. Doing someone a favor and it costs you thousands of bucks. Would have been cheaper to hire them a car for the day.

All I really want to do is find a panel shop that can sort this out for a sane amount (< $2,000). If anyone can recommend any Sydney panel shop I'd be hugely appreciative.

 

[paulp]

The footage is from front and rear Blackvue cameras. It covers a 4 hour period from the hand washing of the car that morning (by multiple people) when the scratch was not present, to the visit to the pool, to subsequent discovery of the damage (by multiple people). So we have uninterrupted proof the scratch happened and who went beside the car, but we do not have them actually scratching it. There were only four groups passing the car in the period:

1. A guy wearing a Google shirt who passed by in under 3 seconds and was carrying nothing in his hand that could cause damage in that period.
2. A mother and a daughter of about 6 years old for 10 seconds. Unlikely offenders.
3. A mother and two children about 8 and 10 years old for 12 seconds. Unlikely offenders.
4. The VW guy.

The VM guy was carrying a bag and keys. He went to his driver door (away from the Model X) then put away his bag. He then without explanation walked around to our car, disappears from camera for 53 seconds, then reappears. He the drives off.

It's pretty clear who did it, but the pool won't give me footage (they'll only give it to the police). And the police couldn't give a crap obviously. Insurance will tell me I don't have the name, address and license of the offender so cough up the excess.

The worst thing about all this is I rarely take the Model X to the pool or carparks in general. I only did it this day as a family friend's teenage kids wanted to see the car at a BBQ we attended immediately thereafter. Doing someone a favor and it costs you thousands of bucks. Would have been cheaper to hire them a car for the day.

All I really want to do is find a panel shop that can sort this out for a sane amount (< $2,000). If anyone can recommend any Sydney panel shop I'd be hugely appreciative.

The other option which I’ve used twice and was extremely cost effective is a mobile paint repairer. They basically have all the same gear, paint, and mixing devices, but work in your garage instead of theirs. It was around $500 to repair a damaged rear panel and part bumper. All of about 2 hours with zero inconvenience. Mine was in Adelaide, but might be worth googling who is in Sydney and see what they are like.

 

[Shock-On-T]

The other option which I’ve used twice and was extremely cost effective is a mobile paint repairer. They basically have all the same gear, paint, and mixing devices, but work in your garage instead of theirs. It was around $500 to repair a damaged rear panel and part bumper. All of about 2 hours with zero inconvenience. Mine was in Adelaide, but might be worth googling who is in Sydney and see what they are like.

You’ve inspired me to get few scuffs sorted.
One of the problems with the pro shops is they strive for a 100% perfection at high cost. I’m happy with 90% at a much lower cost.

 

[paulp]

You’ve inspired me to get few scuffs sorted.
One of the problems with the pro shops is they strive for a 100% perfection at high cost. I’m happy with 90% at a much lower cost.

I’d suggest the mobile shop is 99%, and that last 1% you can get from a good, passionate car polisher

 

[Dborn]

Agree with Paulp 100%. I have seen excellent results from these guys. Mine in Sydney has unfortunately retired. However the franchise he worked for was “touch up guys”.google them and get a quote. You will be pleasantly surprised. He worked on my car twice (separate incidents) and you can’t tell where it was. The shops all will want to paint at least the two panels either side because they claim it is impossible to get a perfect match.
I had a previous car damaged by 2 guys and a girl. A licensed security guard witnessed the incident. They nearly ran him over. He got the license plate. I reported it to the cops with his formal report. He could testify it was one of the guys but could not identify which one. Cops did not charge anyone because each bloke blamed the other and they could not prove which one did it. Case dropped!! Why it did not go to court and let the magistrate decide I have no idea. Low priority I would guess.

 

[ICUDoc]

I can’t contribute re: a bodyshop, sorry.
All i can say is I’m sorry you got keyed- it makes you feel terrible. I hope he is payed back in some way as he deserves.

 

[bena]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

For the benefit of Sydney owners who find this thread, I got the Model X fixed at Quest Collision Centre in Asquith. The contact there was Ash. They did it for $1,000 cash. It took 7 calendar days and I am very happy with the result (you cannot see any paint differences at all). Ash told me they didn't remove the passenger door at all, but masking taped the fittings when respraying. They even buffed out some other minor scratches. So much for the $5,000 quote I got from a Tesla approved smash repairer!

Quest is a fairly big operation. It was recommended by a friend who was also very happy (he had a $400 repair done on a Mazda 2 bumper, including a light being replaced). In the Quest customer lounge area it has a big elevanted window to see what's happening down on the shop floor. They have 3 painting booths etc. For quality resprays I'll happily take it back there again.

Hope this helps any of you unlucky enough to need a respray.

 

[Mark E]

Hope this helps any of you unlucky enough to need a respray.

Thanks for sharing -Asquith is pretty handy for me. I was looking around for some stone chip repairs on my wife's car (non-Tesla)

 

[Shock-On-T]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

For the benefit of Sydney owners who find this thread, I got the Model X fixed at Quest Collision Centre in Asquith. The contact there was Ash. They did it for $1,000 cash. It took 7 calendar days and I am very happy with the result (you cannot see any paint differences at all). Ash told me they didn't remove the passenger door at all, but masking taped the fittings when respraying. They even buffed out some other minor scratches. So much for the $5,000 quote I got from a Tesla approved smash repairer!

Quest is a fairly big operation. It was recommended by a friend who was also very happy (he had a $400 repair done on a Mazda 2 bumper, including a light being replaced). In the Quest customer lounge area it has a big elevanted window to see what's happening down on the shop floor. They have 3 painting booths etc. For quality resprays I'll happily take it back there again.

Hope this helps any of you unlucky enough to need a respray.

Great result, glad it worked out well.
Do they do dents/hail as well, or just paint/scuffs?