Leased car in accident - advice?

Jims5543 · 11-19-2005, 07:03 PM

I cannot catch a break. 2 weeks ago I bought a 2006 Toyota 4x4 for a work truck. With 70 miles on it my Coordinator rear ended a truck, its been in the shop since. The accident was technically his fault although the truck driver took off and stopped short at a red light he thought was green. My guy took off and the ABS did not let him stop again in time.

I was heading to work in my Dodge 1 week ago and had to crawl my way past backed up traffic blocking the intersection only to clip the rear 1/4 of a lady that ran the red light. My bumper is messed up but I have decided to live with it and not tie another car up in the shop.

I am in North Carolina for the weekend closing on a new house. My in-laws are watching the kids. I told them to just use our Audi since the car seat for the 2 year old is in it.

He gets rear ended in the rain, bumper is toast and trunk is all buckled up. - Pics tomarrow.

Now my question.

How do I handle this with the other guys insurance. In Florida the one at fault pays all the damage in a rear end collision. I am more concerned with fees incurred at the end of the lease due to the car now being blemished and not worth as much.

I am taking the car to the dealership where the lease originated but I need to be sure once its fixed its over, or do I have to sweat being screwed over when I hand the car in at the end of the lease?

BTW- The Audi only has 2200 miles on it.

Joeaksa · 11-19-2005, 07:11 PM

Jim,

Do NOT buy a lotto ticket this weekend. Jeez hate to hear of all the accidents.

Look at it on the bright side, it has to get better! Hope soon...

Joe A

Steve Carlton · 11-19-2005, 08:31 PM

If your Audi is fixed properly, there should be no issues at the end of the lease. The car will just get eyeballed for obvious damage that would be chargeable on the return inspection.

kaisen · 11-20-2005, 07:21 AM

What Steve says is correct. You can give it back at lease end, and say goodbye to the 'blemished' car. Have it fixed at a reputable shop, preferably an Audi dealer's bodyshop. The lease company will have nothing to say.

When leasing, always think of the alternative. If you OWNED your Audi, you might be in worse shape because you now own a car that has an accident report in its CarFax. The marketplace will determine how much of a penalty you take for the mishap. When leasing, the lease company will take the hit.

E

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Why tell them anything?

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

I'm sure your lease contract covers this sort of thing in fine print.

Jims5543 · 11-20-2005, 10:28 AM

I am not concerned about the "blemish" honestly. Its mostly cosmetic and the car was not hit hard enough to really screw up the frame. I am more concerned with the fact that if I decide not to take the car at the end of the lease I will be punished due to the wreck.

I found out my dealership has no body shop so I need to take it to a reputable shop in town. I already have one lined up. Due to this being a 4 car wreck it is turning into a mess. My car was at the front of the domino line. I have to wonder how fast car #4 was going to do this much damage 3 cars away.

Here are some pics. I am more worried about the frame around the trunk. It is pretty bent up. This blows. 2000 miles on it and some nimrod doesn't know how to aviod an accident. He was wondering why his brake pedal was vibrating under his foot as he plowed into everyone.

Steve Carlton · 11-20-2005, 01:37 PM

If the damage is repaired properly (which is no big deal), why would you get punished? They're only looking for the car to be in good condition, with no visible abnormal wear and tear. They just send them to an auction to be liquidated if you turn them in. They're not the repair history police.

kaisen · 11-21-2005, 05:16 AM

Even if they (the lease company) find out, or you tell them, it is fine with them. They don't expect that the car never had any accident. They just expect that it was repaired properly and the car is an 'normal' or 'average' condition. They will ask you if the car ever had any repairs under your ownership and ask you for a dollar amount. That's it. Then when Audi/VCI takes it to the auction they will annouce 'PPW' for Previous Paint Work so all the Audi dealers bidding on the car will not arbitrate the sale because it had previous accident history.

Do not worry. Have it fixed and you'll be fine.

E