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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: greencode on 26 January 2021, 13:33

Title: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 26 January 2021, 13:33
I suppose I've been lucky after owning the R for over 3.5 years but somebody has finally hit me. I knew it'd happen when the slightest bit of snow fell! Annoyingly and weirdly, he managed to find where my dad lived and asked for me by name and my dad told him where I lived (literally over the road) but he failed to show so I'm presuming that'll be the last I see, or not see, of him!

It appears to have damaged just that panel i.e. not gone on to the door or front bumper.

(https://i.ibb.co/jDRVnvV/c2.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/LhRBrH7/c1.jpg)

Any ideas of what's the best and most cost effective way of getting this fixed and a very rough price.

Any ideas or help would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: sjw on 26 January 2021, 14:25
No cracks in the paint? That might be a paintless dent repair (PDR) job. I believe you can call people out and they come to your house and take no time at all, with very good results
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 26 January 2021, 14:26
No cracks in the paint? That might be a paintless dent repair (PDR) job. I believe you can call people out and they come to your house and take no time at all, with very good results

Thankfully no paint damage or cracks in the paint.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: Finglonga on 26 January 2021, 16:33
Trouble is it is on the swage line (Crease) so the chances are they will not get it 100% out sadly.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 26 January 2021, 16:38
Trouble is it is on the swage line (Crease) so the chances are they will not get it 100% out sadly.

I had a feeling you might say that! So the other option would be a new panel from VW. I would imagine that would be costly.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: SRGTD on 26 January 2021, 16:42
@greencode; I would think good PDR operative should be able to remove that. I’ve used an independent PDR a couple of times and he achieved excellent results. I emailed him pictures of the damage in advance and he was able to tell me if the damage could be removed, and the cost of doing the work.

As for cracks in the paintwork; is there a small one in the area I’ve circled on the picture below - doesn’t really show in my copy of your picture but you can see it clearer in your original picture. If it is a small crack, then it should be easily rectified with some touch up paint, once the dent’s been removed.

(https://i.postimg.cc/761JV2FN/5667-C1-CF-E955-4265-963-C-FB06-C1-BC2980.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R6F0CNV3)
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: colsay on 26 January 2021, 16:45
Some years back my wife had a black Mini which had a couple of dents from the previous owner. A guy came out to fix it (recommended by a local garage). He had numerous tools and removed interior trim to get at the offending panel. Then with gentle tapping and presumably a lot of skill made a vast improvement. OK. In bright sunlight if you looked for it you could see it wasn’t perfect but 99% of the time you wouldn’t notice it.
Why don’t you email the photo to an appropriate specialist and get a quote?
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 26 January 2021, 16:46
I would think good PDR operative should be able to remove that. I’ve used an independent PDR a couple of times and he achieved excellent results. I emailed him pictures of the damage in advance and he was able to tell me if the damage could be removed, and the cost of doing the work.

As for cracks in the paintwork; is there a small one in the area I’ve circled on the picture below - doesn’t really show in my copy of your picture but you can see it clearer in your original picture. If it is a small crack, then it should be easily rectified with some touch up paint, once the dent’s been removed.

Blimey, well spotted with the slight crack - hadn't noticed that! I'll have a proper look when I can get my car out. Still a little snowed in but with all the rain forecast I should be able to move it soon. Just hoping the guy shows up again. He hard the part decency to try to find me but just didn't completely find me. Just my dad!!!
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 26 January 2021, 16:48
Some years back my wife had a black Mini which had a couple of dents from the previous owner. A guy came out to fix it (recommended by a local garage). He had numerous tools and removed interior trim to get at the offending panel. Then with gentle tapping and presumably a lot of skill made a vast improvement. OK. In bright sunlight if you looked for it you could see it wasn’t perfect but 99% of the time you wouldn’t notice it.
Why don’t you email the photo to an appropriate specialist and get a quote?

Yeah, I do hear amazing things with these dent companies. I'll get the car out at the weekend, take a few better pics and try to find a local company.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: chas.s on 26 January 2021, 17:56
Hi Greencode,
Sorry to hear of your predicament. You should report the incident at your local police station, then you have complied with your side of the Road Traffic Act, which states it should be reported as soon as practicable after the incident or in any case within 24hrs. At least that way if you should get the index number of the offending vehicle the police can help you get the registered owners details. Are there any houses with CCTV in the area that may have captured footage of the collision or dash cams?
Hope you get it sorted. Chas.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 27 January 2021, 16:03
Hi Greencode,
Sorry to hear of your predicament. You should report the incident at your local police station, then you have complied with your side of the Road Traffic Act, which states it should be reported as soon as practicable after the incident or in any case within 24hrs. At least that way if you should get the index number of the offending vehicle the police can help you get the registered owners details. Are there any houses with CCTV in the area that may have captured footage of the collision or dash cams?
Hope you get it sorted. Chas.

Thanks. I wanted to get a bit of evidence together before reporting to the police as it doesn't really matter than I didn't report within 24 hours as my car was parked. Even if it does matter than I can't do anything about the length of time I've left it.

Anyway, through the power of the Nextdoor App I now have photos of the car, including the person involved and clear tyre tracks in the snow leading into my car and where he then parked! Also, have an eyewitness who actually chased him down the road. Looks like I'll have to claim on my insurance but with all of the evidence I have he doesn't have a leg to stand on.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: chas.s on 27 January 2021, 16:12
Hi Greencode,
I appreciate that your car was parked & unattended when it was hit and that you are the innocent party. However, my advice would be to report it ASAP to comply with the legislation. The police can then serve a form on the registered owner of the offending vehicle requesting details of the driver at the specific time. I believe this will make your claim against THEIR insurance easier to cover the costs of your repair etc.
Good luck. Chas.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: greencode on 27 January 2021, 16:13
Hi Greencode,
I appreciate that your car was parked & unattended when it was hit and that you are the innocent party. However, my advice would be to report it ASAP to comply with the legislation. The police can then serve a form on the registered owner of the offending vehicle requesting details of the driver at the specific time. I believe this will make your claim against THEIR insurance easier to cover the costs of your repair etc.
Good luck. Chas.

Thanks, yep I reported it to the police this morning.
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: Lordie on 28 January 2021, 20:05
Are there any houses with CCTV in the area that may have captured footage of the collision or dash cams?

I was going to say this too. Loads of people have CCTV on their houses nowadays and someone might've been able to get a numberplate maybe?
Title: Re: Front wheel arch damage
Post by: barrym381 on 30 January 2021, 22:51
Sorry to hear about your car but it needs a new wing don’t let anyone try repair it   :sad: