Bodywork repair cost

enkoda · 13 Nov 2013 at 20:51

Just put a deposit on a 2008 Focus but needs some cosmetic repair work doing.
I'm avoiding getting it done through the main dealer as I suspect it will cost much less taking it somewhere else. Problem is, I'm not sure how much would be a reasonable price for this work?

Looks like something has penetrated the rear bumper, approx 15-20mm across:

Few scrapes across the front, with some smaller ones just off camera:

Scuffed wheel arch:

Would I be barking up the wrong tree if I expected this to cost around £200ish?

--Mike-- · 13 Nov 2013 at 20:52

Should the main dealer not be sorting this out for you as part of the sale?

enkoda · 13 Nov 2013 at 21:01

They can, but it'll wipe out the friends & family discount I'm getting!

Just need a ballpark figure that I can work with when taking it for a quote somewhere else.

geekman · 13 Nov 2013 at 22:08

I'd probably polish out the scuff on the wheel arch and use touch up paint for the other marks. I'd imagine a bodyshop would charge quite a bit more than £200 for that job, so I probably wouldn't bother.

Richie · 14 Nov 2013 at 07:09

You can get them SMART repaired. Dependant on the repairer, it would be around £250:

Rear bumper repair and paint - £70
Front Bumper paint - £110 (due to being large middle section)
Corner Scuff repair and paint - £70

These are rough prices.

scratch · 14 Nov 2013 at 07:25

I'd be looking elsewhere for a car that's been better looked after, especially on something as common as a Focus. If the previous owner couldn't be bothered to fix bodywork damage like that, then what else have they skimped on?

hawker1986 · 14 Nov 2013 at 07:28

scratch said:
I'd be looking elsewhere for a car that's been better looked after, especially on something as common as a Focus. If the previous owner couldn't be bothered to fix bodywork damage like that, then what else have they skimped on?

This tbh, not worth it

Hawker

Howard · 14 Nov 2013 at 08:07

scratch said:
I'd be looking elsewhere for a car that's been better looked after

Me too

enkoda · 14 Nov 2013 at 10:36

The car is mechanically sound, and has had a good looking over by two mechanics who I trust.

Richie said:
You can get them SMART repaired. Dependant on the repairer, it would be around £250:

Rear bumper repair and paint - £70
Front Bumper paint - £110 (due to being large middle section)
Corner Scuff repair and paint - £70

These are rough prices.

Thanks Richie, will investigate.

acemastr · 14 Nov 2013 at 10:51

Those issues couldn't have been done in 1 incident, it looks like it was owned by a blind elderly woman.

Would you really want a car that has most likely never had its bonnet opened outside of yearly servicing?

*Edit*

Plus it's in 'old biddy 'brown'' so was definitely owned by an elderly couple!

Richie · 15 Nov 2013 at 10:04

Who's to say some of the damage was caused by the owners? That damage can occur for a number of reasons and, if the OP has had it looked over as he says, there is nothing really to worry about. The damage above is very minor, is all plastic (no rusting issues) and is easily repairable.

Of course, I would be looking for money off to repair the damage.

Nickyyy · 15 Nov 2013 at 10:16

I got the front bumper of my car done. Cost around 200 for a full respray. Might be a good option going for the smart repair if you're not really fussy.

enkoda · 17 Nov 2013 at 08:53

Update: the dealer is going to get it "touched up" so at least it will look a bit more respectable.

Abyss · 17 Nov 2013 at 10:37

I would expect to pay about £400 to get that sorted properly at a bodyshop on the basis of a full respray to both the front and rear bumper. Can I ask how much you are paying for the car?

enkoda said:
The car is mechanically sound, and has had a good looking over by two mechanics who I trust.

Thanks Richie, will investigate.

That's all well and good, but you wouldn't really expect any different on a 5 year old Focus. The worry for me would be what long term damage has potentially been done through the blatant neglect that this car has had in it's ownership. For example if the oil hasn't been regularly changed but the dealer changed it recently there would be no visual signs of problems but it could cost you further down the line.

The dealer must love you, being able to offload a piece of **** car that they otherwise wouldn't sell in that condition under the pretense of friends & family discount.

Personally on a car so common I would treat the bodywork condition as a reflection of the care given to the car and steer well clear. Surely you can just get a friends & family discount on one of the numerous other cars they will have for sale?