Got my badly crashed Volkswagen Polo back: Looks almost new!

I will keep the car for a few months, if all is well, then I will keep her for 5 years. If there are issues, will take a financial hit and sell it off.

BHPian sinharishi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A week and 1050 km later:

• Took delivery on the 7th December, the day after DO was submitted to the dealer. Had planned to take delivery on the 9th but couldn't wait, so at 1 am on the 7th decided to board 6 am Shatabdi to Jaipur!
• Reached dealership at 12 pm. Met Mr X (Bodyshop Manager, VW Jaipur). Had called them up at 9 am informing them that I am on my way and have the car ready for delivery.
• I could spot my car from the entrance of the workshop, polished, decorated, all set for delivery.
• I have to write a line about the hospitality I received at the workshop. I was served tea, biscuits and snacks. They even offered lunch but I refused politely!
• Moving on, I met Mr Y (my SA). Completed all paperwork, reviewed the bill and paid the difference.
• Next up was the test drive, we drove the car around the Sitapura Industrial area and I came back fully satisfied!
• I had told Mr X to drive the car for as many KMs as possible till they wait for the DO. It took the insurance company a week to send the DO.
• Finally, it was time for me to leave. They gifted a box of sweets, clicked a few pictures and departed for the hotel.
• I told Mr X and Mr Y, I will visit again in a month if I face any issues with the car. Submitted the gate pass and off we went! Parked the car a few km ahead of the showroom and removed all the ribbons.
• Drove to Agra on the 8th and then to Delhi on the 9th early morning. Car was put on marriage duty till the 12th.
• Issues to report: Just one as of now, the LHS door has a paint mismatch which is visible under sunlight, apart from the door, they have succeeded in matching the colour of the rear damaged portion of the car with the factory colour.
• What next? I will keep the car for a few months, if all is well, then I will keep her for 5 years. If there are issues, will take a financial hit and sell it off. As of now, I am enjoying every bit of the drive!

I was worried about VW after-sales and leaving them away from me in a workshop in another city. Mr X was in constant touch with me from October 16th till the day of delivery, sharing regular updates and pictures on Whatsapp. They took their time but did a wonderful job in the end. Kudos to them!

Sharing some pictures:

Taking Delivery

Here's what BHPian sandeepmohan had to say on the matter:

I must say, that has turned out really well. Good on the garage who sorted out the car for you. It's one of those rare instances where you walk out pleased from a VW garage.

Personally; I'd be a little reluctant to keep the car, not knowing if structural integrity has been retained. Something for you to keep in mind.

Here's what BHPian tbppjpr had to say on the matter:

Congratulations on getting the car back in the shape, nice to know that you liked the hospitality at the workshop in our city.

This is a usual issue with the vibrant paint shades, though it happens with the lighter shades as well mostly it remains unnoticed. Report the workshop about the paint difference and wait for a month of time if some other panel also show the difference. Check the car for paint mismatch at different times of the day, like in the morning before sunrise, in the daylight, after sunset and in the night. Also, check the car paint when it's parked under the shade at different times of the day.

One cheat code to quickly spot the paint difference is to click the photographs covering the whole car from different angles in varied conditions as mentioned above and then see them in thumbnail size or small view size on the mobile screen, that way you can quickly spot the paint difference which you can not while seeing the car in person. Wherever you go and park, don't forget to click the photos of the car and then check them in your free time.

This trick I learned long back accidentally when I was checking the photos and found a mismatch in the paint shade of one of the repainted doors on my red car which was then rectified by the same workshop.

Here's what BHPian adisan had to say on the matter:

All's well that ends well!

Nice to read about the sensitive and warm approach of the service centre. Especially when it is in a different city.

Wishing you trouble-free motoring!

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