Main Dealer caused damage during recall work - Advise please

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Last October I bought a brand new Honda Civic and in February this year it went into a Honda main dealer to have the fuel filler cap assembly replaced (Honda Recall). When I went to collect the car, they were very apologetic and said they would need to keep the car for a few more days, as the fitter had damaged the paint work whilst removing the filler cap assembly.

They ended up re-spraying the rear passenger side quarter panel and rear door. As you can imagine I was not happy they had done this to a 3 month old car! They gave me £300 worth of accessories and that was that - or so I thought.

At the beginning of June, whilst walking back to the car late at night, a friend of mine pointed out the rear panel and door are a different shade (darker) to the rest of the car when viewed from a certain angle.

The next day I called the garage and they were not to helpful, they said how come I did not notice it before and that because I had accepted the accessories, it was the end of the matter. After a lot of arguing and me pointing out the fact whatever the say the car was perfect when it first went into them and the panels they re-sprayed are a different colour, ultimate responsibility lays with them.

Anyway they have now reluctantly agreed to sort it out, but are dragging their heals in getting it booked in.

I'm at the point where I want to take this further; they have devalued my car and ruined the experience of owning a new car for me.

Do I have a case to seek considerable compensation (though the small claims court if necessary) or can I demand they replace the car, as I feel they can never get it back to it's ex-factory condition.

Any advice would be welcome.

[Jeanjaquessmoothie]

Why do you feel you should be "considerably compensated"?

Appreciated they haven't been too helpful, but I doubt you would have a claim for compensation because:

A. They have repaired the damage (twice)
B. They've given you £300 of accessories, free

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Originally Posted by Jeanjaquessmoothie

Why do you feel you should be "considerably compensated"?

Appreciated they haven't been too helpful, but I doubt you would have a claim for compensation because:

A. They have repaired the damage (twice)
B. They've given you £300 of accessories, free

I look after my cars and I paid for a new car which was perfect, I now have a car that has been repaired and will never be right. If I wanted a car with re-sprayed panels, I would have bought a second hand one and took that chance.

They have only repaired it once (poorly) and have admitted they may not be able to get the pans to match nor have a factory finish. Why should I accept that - I now have drive around in a car that has obviously had parts re-sprayed and when I come to sell it/part ex it, you can bet a sharp eyed salesman will see it too! thus valuing it lower!

I had planned to keep the car for a good few years, I now want to get rid of it and to do so wll cost me! Why should I be put in this position by someone careless actions.

[Conniff]

You could take it to a couple of dealers and ask about part exchange against one of their other cars and see if they ask you if you have had accident damage repaired which will mean it is noticeable.
You could also try the same with a used car dealer and see if he notices.

If they don't, it does not mean they wont when you come to actually do a trade in.
You are seeing it now because you know it is there, if they see it without a detailed examination then it definately needs looking at.
In the latter case you should go to specialist body repair workshop and tell them the story and ask the cost of paint matching and respraying maybe it can't be done without a complete respray.

I only say these things as a suggestion so you will have a better idea of how it affects the cars resale value.