[whose2know]

I was rear ended while stopped at a traffic light in April. I only had my bolt for 6 weeks and brought it to the shop the next day. The Chevy Dealer I brought it to did not sell Bolts. I did not know that...I brought it there because it was supposedly one of the "preferred repair" shops from the insurance company and I had bought my Bolt from a dealer out of state because no one had the color and options I wanted in state. The dealer has worked on my vehicle for 6 weeks and had indicated they had trouble lining things up. The repairs amounted to $8,000 and it was the rear hatch that was hit (no side quarter panel crease). When I went to pick it up yesterday, I could tell in 2 seconds that the hatch was lined up very poorly (see picture attached of rear of car and look at right side vs left side of the hatch). When I said that it was unacceptable, they said they agreed it was noticeable, but said they weren't sure there was anything they could do. They brought it into the shop and 15 minutes later, the rear lines looked good, but the side lines were off and the left bottom light was not popped in the bumper correctly. I pointed out the light in the bumper and they popped it in as best as they could, but there was still a gap between the light and the bumper (see picture). I asked what the GM specifications were on the side gaps of the hatch and they said they didn't think there were any specifications. I could fit most of my pinkie finger in on one side (see picture). Also, the trim in the inside of the hatch is poorly lined up. For $8k, and six weeks in the shop I would have expected all repairs to be done perfectly. I left my car there and went to another dealer to look at Bolts on their lots and compare rear lines. The last picture of the black car is a new bolt with the lines/gaps shown that are much tighter than mine.

I'm waiting for the insurance adjuster to come to the repair shop and see my car. Does anyone with collision repair expertise (preferably GM) know if GM has standards on gap widths and/or repair certifications? Any advice for me when I talk over the repairs with the adjuster and the shop? I've been burned in the past when selling/trading in a vehicle with prior damage and "the quality of repairs/lines that did not match properly". This car was absolutely pristine when it was hit, and now I have a car with not just a history of an accident, but with repairs that are visibly noticeable.

 

[DucRider]

I would not consider those gaps to be acceptable.

I hope you also file for DV with the (hopefully) at fault insurance company. A lot harder to get DV from your own insurance. DV (Diminished Value) covers your loss when trading or selling the car (as you mentioned having experienced firsthand). Just the reported accident alone will cause a value hit - a shoddy repair even more so.

 

[NY-Rob]

That's some poor workmanship there!

Go and measure the gaps in a couple of new Bolts... use that as a benchmark for your repair.

 

[gern_blanston]

That's some poor workmanship there!

Go and measure the gaps in a couple of new Bolts... use that as a benchmark for your repair.

Indeed. That's crap work and needs to be re-done. Make 'em fix it.

 

[mraymondus]

The gaps on new bolts are not great either. One more thing.. perhaps you know this.. but in L mode, your car will come to a complete stop. But the brake lights will go out once the car is almost stopped. You need to put your foot on the brake pedal to activate the tail lights.

Most Bolt owners discover this before they get hit, but I definitely had a near miss a few weeks after getting mine. Now I religiously drop my right foot on the brake and glance in the rear view mirror to make sure the car behind me is slowing and aware of my stop.

 

[redpoint5]

Curious what was the reason for getting rear ended?

I've got some experience haggling with claims adjusters. Mostly you have to be a pain in their butt to get fair compensation. They will lowball at every opportunity, though they will be eager to close the claim, so that is your leverage for negotiating the payout. I went 3 months once haggling the payout from a rear end collision. It paid off though as I got 2.5x more than they initially offered, which was a joke of an offer that wouldn't have bought a non-running car.

Do your research though, because your counter to their offer will be stronger if you can cite reasons for claiming things like DV. The car was brand new, and now it's far from that, and should be reflected in the compensation.