Car wash damage to car

[Tristarpete]

Has anybody ever had damage to the paintwork and if so did they ever get compensation for paint work repairs

[said]

Has anybody ever had damage to the paintwork and if so did they ever get compensation for paint work repairs

I use a car wash weekly - but so far, I have been OK. How did the damage happen?

[Tristarpete]

I use a car wash weekly - but so far, I have been OK. How did the damage happen?

they scratched paintwork with the end of the jet lance

[Ceam]

Most have disclaimers.

[said]

they scratched paintwork with the end of the jet lance

You need to read this first - I know this is a mechanical unit, but the disclaimers are the same:
https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...iability-shell.
A similar event in the USA with a manual wash, concluded that the customer had handed his car into the care of the person washing the car, and when damage occurred it was due to the negligence of the person washing the car - the disclaimers are not legal in that case.

Did you report the damage immediately to the personnel at the car wash? Did they inspect the damage? and did they make a note of your complaint? Every such service unit has a responsibility to take care of your vehicle - evidently from what you say - this was not so.

You need to write to the company (politely) and say that you are not happy with their response. Take photographs of the damage and point out exactly how the damage occurred on such and such a date at such and such time, and your subsequent actions after discovering the damage. (If possible show that the damage is new and corresponds to a blunt instrument scraping the car) State that the company has a responsibility to pay due care and attention to the vehicle that you placed in the hands of their employee, and that you would like to be recompensed for the damage within fourteen days.

If they fail to respond, or send you a reply which you do not agree with - you can then sue them on line, by the Government Small claims link. It is not guaranteed you will win - but your case is reviewed by a panel who decide where the liability lies. It will cost you about £50 and you follow the instructions given to you. This on line action is very fast in comparison to main courts and in most cases you do not have to actually go to court. But do put your case very clearly and cover every detail. If you win - you get your costs refunded to you.

It is up to you if you want to go down this route.