I leased a new car 3 weeks ago and when I went to have it tinted, the person at the tint shop hit another car and created a noticeable but small dent. They offered to have it fixed at their cost at a local body shop that they work with, but my husband is VERY concerned that if we don't have it fixed at the dealer that they could charge us for it when we turn the car in in three years even if the repair is perfect. I don't think we have to have it fixed at the dealer - just as long as it is fixed back to new. Does anyone know how strict they are when you turn in lease? The lease is with Chase. My husband says they have a machine that can tell if there is 2 different paints, but I don't see why they would feel it necessary to check this on every vehicle. By the way the damage is to a side door panel and does not affect any of the engine or driving of the vehicle. Thanks!
Well, I leased through Toyota and when I was hit by a drunk driver and had the car fixed at a Toyota dealership - I was still charged by the leasing company. I think I would tell them that you want it fixed at the dealer and keep the papers that cover the repair.
Read the contents of your lease and follow it to the letter - then you at least have a leg to stand on if they charge you later.
It's in your best interest to have who YOU want repair the vehicle, you pay for it, then have the tinting company reimburse you.
The bottom line in any accident is that it's your vehicle, so you get to get it fixed where you want. However, if it accident is cause by someone else, they still get the bill. (They may ask you to get a second estimate tho.) Obviously a dealer is usually more expensive than "their" shop. However, with a three week old car, that's their problem. They have a responsibility to make it new again.
I would call the dealership and ask. There are so many loopholes in most contracts that you can easily find yourself hung in one if you aren't careful!
Good luck!
I think you should probably call the dealer and find out. Maybe don't give them the full info as of course they'll want you to bring it to them for the money they would get, but maybe ask about some hypothetical situations! ;) I don't know, actually, but I used to lease and I thought I got something fixed on my own, i just don't remember!
Have you called the place you leased it from and ask them? Also look through your paperwork because I am sure somewhere it will mention what to do. If you trust this place you are getting it tinted at to repair it correctly then let them otherwise call your insurance company to report the damage and have them help handle it so you can chose where to go and the insurance company will handle getting the money from the tinting place.
Dealership are expansive, we avoid them if we can (unless they are repairing it at their own cost). A reason the tinting place offered to do it could be to be nice and so insurance companies do not get involved because their insurances rates might go up due to this incident (which would happen if this is not the first time this year it happened). If they have the means to do it and correctly be nice and let them do it BUT tell them you want a copy of the receipt of what they fixed with a signature & date of both YOU and THEM/manager that they fixed it and it is fixed properly. Keep that forever (or many years, even after trading the car back just to make sure no further problems arise). That way it covers you if the place you leased it from asks about it.
It depends if you are going to trade it in at the same dealer or simply turn it in and "walk away" from it. If you do it as a trade in you don't even get inspected the same way and so it wouldn't matter. Even if you walk away from it you are allowed up to a certain dollar amount "per panel" or a grand total, which is actually higher than you would think. I was so freaked out over my leases because of this - one car had a huge scrape and dent on the bumper with several dings on the sides and the other had a big scratch on one side and also had a scrape on the bumper.. we "walked away" from the one with the most damage and traded in the other...and paid no penalties on either. I was shocked but the guy at the dealership told me leases aren't like they used to be. I don't know how true that is but I certainly would lease again after my experience. Btw this was at a Honda dealer so I don't know if other dealers are more strict... but I would say have it fixed in whichever manner would not cost you anything... :)
I returned my car and they didn't even look at it. I think it depends on the dealer, but I wouldn't take it to the dealership. If you do they will add it to your record and possibly check your car even closer when you return it.
I leased a truck several years ago. Your best bet is to have it repaired by the dealer where you are leasing it. No matter what you do, they will find a flaw(s) and charge you for the damage(s). It is better to be upfront with them this way there are no hidden fees when you do turn the vehicle in. But do look through your lease papers it will give you some idea of what better ways to do things.
Good luck.
S.
