Topic: pre-inspection question

[xirurg]

I'm due to return vehicle from lease in January. It's Honda CR-V, good km, however has some scratches, rear bumper needs work, etc.
So I have two options:

1) go to pre-inspection and see what their estimate for fixes will be. Then go fix it in garage of my choice and go back to inspector.
2) fix it first, then go for inspection.

Which one is better?
I'm afraid that if I choose 1) they would say - no you can't fix it in Joe's garage - you gotta do it at dealership where prices in much higher of course.

I'd like to mention - I also have lease insurance - up to 3K I believe - have to double check on that.

Any help will be much appreciated.

[jamie1]

Have them do the inspection and give you the est of repairs. Then go and get your own est. In some cases I've heard your own est can be higher, so the benefit is to just leave the repairs and let the lease company look after it.

[Hammy]

If you get it fixed up front they will not look for it when you bring it back, i returned a 2007 pilot, they caught everything, i have a blog about it which i will post later.  Take my word for it, fix it up front.

[Mark N]

the only thing I would say is if you have it fixed by a garage of your choice, make sure it's good work, they can charge for poor quality repairs

I would get the pre inspection done first, that will tell the story...if it's chargeable you will know, if it's not chargeable, no cost to you...you could end up spending money not necessary by going the other route.

[KailynLaw]

Xirurg, If you go in to the dealership for the pre-inspection I don’t think that they can make you get the repairs done at a specific place.  I would recommend you get a written estimate for required repairs then get a written estimate from the shop of your choosing.  If the prices are close then I would let the dealership fix the automobile. 

If you have the repairs done somewhere else, take before and after pictures of all the damage so that you can prove to the dealership that you got everything fixed that needed fixed.

Let us know what you decide.
KailynLaw

[Careener]

+1 for fixing it up front.

[pmt]

get the inspection done first the bill may be lower than you would think.  more options doing it that way