Wing mirror - rip off?

VeeEmmy

I had the misfortune of breaking the wing mirror of a parked car - oncoming car came into my lane. Regardless, I take full responsibility. The owner apparently has a written estimate from their regular garage of €250 to replace/repair. This seems excessive to me.

The most a whole mirror, casing, etc. part(s) would cost is around €120 (est via telephone from customer service at micksgarage.com) + labour, of course. I was fairly shaken and embarrassed, and I did not get the year or reg on the car - new Opel Astra.

They want the money from me before they have the work done.

If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't be looking for the cheapest way to get it fixed, but $250 does seem OTT... ?

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

cml387

To be honest 250 euros sounds cheap.

Kimbot

250 is mild compared to some cars. Had the same happen my golf a few years back, smashed the casing/indicator and mirror glass and VW wanted about 500 to fix because its a heated mirror.

Alun

Wing mirrors can be expensive things these days ... apart from the casing itself and any wiring, motors etc. you can have indicator repeaters, heated glass, all-round view cameras etc. I'd imagine it's not just a 5 minute job removing and replacing one either.

bucketybuck

Banished-She wrote: »

I had the misfortune of breaking the wing mirror of a parked car - oncoming car came into my lane. Regardless, I take full responsibility. The owner apparently has a written estimate from their regular garage of ?250 to replace/repair. This seems excessive to me.

How much of it is parts, how much labour, and how much VAT?

I could easily see an invoice for a complete wing mirror assembly from a main dealer costing circa ?250 so the devil is in the detail here.

Just saying you could get a spurious part somewhere doesn't mean anybody is out to rip you off.

Atlantic Dawn

You have to consider that it needs to be fitted, wired up etc. The mirror casing may also be colour coded to the car so that will need to be sprayed to match the car so the Micks Garage version will need work to match the car. 250 is not bad for new and fitted.

VeeEmmy

jacksie66 wrote: »

If it wasn't my fault I'd want it replaced with genuine opel parts.

I totally agree with that, jacksie.

Thanks to all for the feedback. I'll swallow the pill.

corglass

Plus you're avoiding a future hike in insurance by dealing directly with owner. Imagine how much extra you'd pay in insurance over next few years if you'd a claim?

250 sounds fine, considering that undoubtedly includes VAT.

Just make sure you keep a record of transferring payment

bladespin

Banished-She wrote: »

The most a whole mirror, casing, etc. part(s) would cost is around €120 (est via telephone from customer service at micksgarage.com) + labour, of course. I was fairly shaken and embarrassed, and I did not get the year or reg on the car - new Opel Astra.

There's your problem.

The repair should be done with genuine manufacturer's parts supplied by the authorized distributor - Opel.

Give an Opel garage a shout and check prices with them.

Thanks your lucky starts it wasn't an old Lexus

JoeA3

You got away lightly. €250 is not bad at all. The one on Micks Garage is likely to be spurious (non OEM) and if it were me and the car was fairly fresh I would not be happy to accept that.