My $1,900 Test Drive

[Boostang]

You are at fault. But I would name and shame them purely for their extortionate pricing. Absolute piss-take pricing.

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[doulos4jc]

The Pirelli summer tires are on the 19" black performance package wheels on the ecoboost. I would check other dealers on pricing just to get an objective opinion.

 

[HobokenStang]

You should just buy the whole car to feel better about it!

Sadly, if it were a properly spec'd GT, I probably would have in a heartbeat.

Just look at it from another perspective. If that was your brand new car in for service and they did that. You would have an attitude also.

I completely understand... I think I would have had a heart attack if a tech had done so to my own brand new car. Also why I'm not pushing them hard to refinish the rim, since it certainly wouldn't get it back to OEM.

 

[DivineStrike]

I want to respond to this really quick. I can understand the dealer charging you for the repairs. However, it shouldn't be at full retail. It should be the dealer cost of the parts.

 

[RisingForce]

There's no need to name and shame. As you admitted you were at fault.
You have three options.
Turn into insurance.
Pay the dealer what they asked ( minus labor fee )
Or get a second estimate from another source and tell dealer you'll take care of it.

Well fourth option would be buy the vehicle.

 

[RisingForce]

I want to respond to this really quick. I can understand the dealer charging you for the repairs. However, it shouldn't be at full retail. It should be the dealer cost of the parts.

^^ this ^^.

 

[POOPonYOU]

Pulled from: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/accident-while-in-a-test-drive.html

Well, you have to carefully read you own insurance policy. In fact, then insurance adjusters must read your insurance policy and the dealership insurance policy.

To learn how to read a policy (does not read like a book), visit: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/read-your-auto-insurance-policy.html

Usually, you are liable for damages you cause to a vehicle while test driving the car. However, insurance follows the vehicle.

That is why dealers make you sign things so you assume all responsibility for any/damage (that way your insurance company is on the hook for everything).

If you did not sign anything making you solely responsible for the damage, then their insurance company could be on the hook for the damages.

Do not feel that this is morally wrong. It is not. The key is in how an insurance policy reads. You are responsible for the damages that you caused.

There is no way around that. However, insurance policies consider the driver the insured. In other words, you could be considered an "insured" under the dealership policy, meaning that they would cover the risk that they assumed for people just like you. Exactly what the dealership pays premium for.

The dealership will tell you that you must pay for everything and that you assumed every single thing, this is incorrect.

Simply provide your insurance information and allow for the insurance adjuster to do an investigation.

They have to read both policies and look to see if you are covered under the dealership policy (probably since you did not assume any responsibility).

If you are covered under the definition of insured or there are no exclusions for vehicles being on test drives, your policy will act as the secondary coverage, but your primary policy will be the dealership.

An investigation must be done, and their insurance company could potentially pay 100% of the damage.

I hope this helps - See more at: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/accident-while-in-a-test-drive.html#sthash.QjZ10VXC.dpuf

 

[POOPonYOU]

Just look at it from another perspective. If that was your brand new car in for service and they did that. You would have an attitude also.

Yeah but he's the customer. Fudge that!

 

[Mustangchief]

Welcome to the forums and bummer on what happened. You are responsible for the damage, but not at their price. Your job would be to restore it to new condition. Did it cut the tire? If so, was it on their lot? If it was their curb in need of repair, there is a slim chance you could split the damages. Pictures would also be great. If the tire just has rash and the sidewall wasn't cut, I wouldn't pay for that. The rim is another story. If he says they have to do the work, then file a claim with your insurance agent. It will get reported as a collision and the car will have that entered into its record and cannot be sold as brand new. I bought my Daughter an Xterra once like that, it was never titled, but was disclosed it was involved in a collision. Different states have different rules. I would talk to your agent, even if you don't file a claim, they can still give you the best advice. $1892 for a wheel and tire is a tad excessive.

 

[RisingForce]

Pulled from: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/accident-while-in-a-test-drive.html

Well, you have to carefully read you own insurance policy. In fact, then insurance adjusters must read your insurance policy and the dealership insurance policy.

To learn how to read a policy (does not read like a book), visit: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/read-your-auto-insurance-policy.html

Usually, you are liable for damages you cause to a vehicle while test driving the car. However, insurance follows the vehicle.

That is why dealers make you sign things so you assume all responsibility for any/damage (that way your insurance company is on the hook for everything).

If you did not sign anything making you solely responsible for the damage, then their insurance company could be on the hook for the damages.

Do not feel that this is morally wrong. It is not. The key is in how an insurance policy reads. You are responsible for the damages that you caused.

There is no way around that. However, insurance policies consider the driver the insured. In other words, you could be considered an "insured" under the dealership policy, meaning that they would cover the risk that they assumed for people just like you. Exactly what the dealership pays premium for.

The dealership will tell you that you must pay for everything and that you assumed every single thing, this is incorrect.

Simply provide your insurance information and allow for the insurance adjuster to do an investigation.

They have to read both policies and look to see if you are covered under the dealership policy (probably since you did not assume any responsibility).

If you are covered under the definition of insured or there are no exclusions for vehicles being on test drives, your policy will act as the secondary coverage, but your primary policy will be the dealership.

An investigation must be done, and their insurance company could potentially pay 100% of the damage.

I hope this helps - See more at: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/accident-while-in-a-test-drive.html#sthash.QjZ10VXC.dpuf

If he takes that route it will be a long drawn out battle that will end up in court and he will lose.
You don't have to sign anything to be in fault for damaging another person or company's vehicle. A judge will definitely rule against him and he will end up paying a lot more including court costs.

 

[RisingForce]

Yeah but he's the customer. Fudge that!

He's not the customer if he hasn't purchased anything. He's just a prospect. That's all.
How do you see this as dealers fault? The only fault I see from the dealer is trying to charge for retail for parts. They should charge him their cost and eat the labor fees.

 

[POOPonYOU]

There are companies out there that can repair that rim for under $200. It's not like you cracked it.

 

[POOPonYOU]

He's not the customer if he hasn't purchased anything. He's just a prospect. That's all.
How do you see this as dealers fault? The only fault I see from the dealer is trying to charge for retail for parts. They should charge him their cost and eat the labor fees.

I'm not saying that he's not at fault for the damage but is it really necessary to give him attitude about it?

 

[Brent302]

There are companies out there that can repair that rim for under $200. It's not like you cracked it.

If I'm coming in behind him to buy a New car....I don't want a "Repaired" Rim....

 

[DivineStrike]

Also for those suggesting the wheel repair. IMO that is unacceptable. It should be all brand new equipment on a brand new car they are selling as new.

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