So, I know it's been a while... I promised to post an update when everything is done and I've been waiting for everything to be done before posting... but today I need some advice...
The repair at Capital Collision Centre located on 1570 Laperriere Avenue in Ottawa, ON was done with many details overlooked. I've brought the car back several times to the Collision Centre and to Kanata Mazda, the dealer they chose when they brought it there the first time.
At the Collision Centre a few cosmetic things were fixed. At the dealer, after being jerked around a few times and after a call to Mazda Canada, I finally got the service manager to take a serious good look at the car. It was only the 6-th time I went back there with the same diagnostic code coming up... "EVAP system gross leak detected".
Now they've had the car since Monday morning. All computer diagnostic apparently shows up OK. On Tuesday dealer has the Collision Centre fax over the details of the repair they did. Wednesday, the dealer's service manager tells me that he's surprised that the car was not a write off with this much damage, he says he'll get in touch with the insurance company and that he'll get a smoke machine to find the leak. Today he calls me and says that when the repair was being done in the body shop the charcoal canister was punctured with a drill in two spots. He adds that he's ordered a new one and that he'll get in touch with the insurance company. I thanked him and hung up.
In a little while this sinks in and I call him back... I asked him to check the overall repair and see if the rest of the repairs are done OK. He informs me that it looks bad... exposed metal, welds, shoddy workmanship, etc... He says that he'll have a word with the insurance adjuster and that he may possibly have him out there to look at the car too. I asked him to make a few pictures before they close it all up if the insurance guy can't make it to see for himself.
Ideally, I would like to get the car written off so I don't have to deal with this crap... I think the chances of that are low, what say you?
If it is not written off, what can be done about it at this point?
Thanks...
Its too bad you are dealing with these many issues. Some repair shops do a good job all the time, some do a bad job all the time and many doo a good job most of the time but sometimes slip up. I don't know which this one is but a mark of a good repairer is that when they do mess up that they get it right. Doesn't sound like this is the case.
A couple of things. The dealer service manager has no standing to suggest to you or anyone if car car "should have been written off". The rules are quite clear. Certain things (like deformed passenger compartments) or a car that can't be safley repaired are automatic writeoffs. Otherwise the decsion to write a car off is based on the cost of repairs versus the value of the vehicle. Usually they will repair it up to about 80% of the value of the vehicle (depending on the salvage value of the vehicle). No one is going to listen to the service managers opinion at the insurance company about if it should have been totaled and neither should you. The service manager calling about the adjuster about the quality of collison repairs to the adjuster will have no effect either.
MAYBE JUST MAYBE he meant he's have a word with the appraiser and that the appraiser would come look at the car. Non on the insurance adjusters I have ever worked with would go out to see a car. Adjusters as a rule don't know SQUAT about cars or repairs. They help determine libaility and coverage. They know the insurance rules. Adjusters don't appraise cars.
I would call your insurance company and request that an appraiser come and reinspect the work done with you so you can point out issues and he can assess the repairs. If there is shoddy work the insurance company will require the shop to fix it (and SHOULD require the shop to cover your rental costs while its done) or have it repaired at another shop with the origional shop footing the bill.
They have sunk a lot of $ into the car at this point they are not going to write it off unless its unsafe.
I agree with intial D in principal (if not in execution). Don't start by being annoying but if you don't get results (as long as your are peristent and respectful) keep at the insurance company until its fixed RIGHT. Make a list, take pictures etc. Good luck
