Dealer wrecks car - what would you do?

One of my co-workers told me today the following occurence, and I'll set it up:

He has a 2012 Mazdaspeed3

He bought it from a dealer new.

He wanted remote-start, so dealer suggested a nearby shop that could install said remote-start system.

Since he bought it, he has had the dealer do all scheduled maintenance, oil changes, and even a new set of tires last month (don't get me started on having the dealer do that stuff, lol.....)

On monday he dropped off his car to get oil changed and other scheduled maintenance. Left it outside of business hours and keys in drop box. Car was parked in a flat lot and left in gear. He has left it similarly many times before.

He got a call today from dealer. The valet had gone to get the car for the service and activated the remote start, presumably to turn on the A/C since it was 100 degrees yesterday. Car started and took off across the lot, hitting some stuff (no people, thankfully). Apparently has significant front-end damage, smashed headlights, right side fender/door mashed up, and a large deep scrape across the roof. Possibly some other stuff too.

Sound like the dealer is taking full responsibility for what happened and has agreed to fix everything. I've suggested that he press the dealer for loss of value, since with a partial respray and replaced panels, etc the car has definitely lost resale value. Either that or press them to buy-back the car at full book value or something like that.

What say you?

Wait...someone put a remote start in a manual transmission car!?

I would be looking at the installer for damages if I were the guy OR the dealer!

He's lucky to be getting anything, having a remote start in a stick car without a neutral switch. Unless the dealer was explicitly warned.

I'm with NOHOME. Mopar won't even offer a M/T remote start kit for that very reason.

NOHOME wrote: Wait...someone put a remote start in a manual transmission car!? I would be looking at the installer for damages if I were the guy OR the dealer!

There are tons of people who put remote start in a manual transmission, but the installer berkeleyed-up the install because it shouldn't have been able to start in gear. There is usually a neutral switch.

Sorry for the guy, that really sucks.

I don't think they will accept to buy his car back, because it's just like having a hit and run. You are in no way responsible for the damage, but you still end-up living with the consequences.

I would be looking just as much at the remote start installer and correctness of installation per the remote start manufacturer, as I would the dealership. However, if this was a 'correct' installation and the owner was fully aware of this shortcoming, then this same portion of the blame falls right back on themselves. Of course, there is also absolutely no reason for a dealership employee to need to remote start a car unless they're trouble shooting a factory remote start system.

I wouldn't hold my breath for getting a loss of value from the dealership, especially for their partial level of blame. I doubt they have a legal obligation in this regard. My guess is that may be best pursued from the installer, or may simply have to be eaten by the owner as is generally the case.

While I'd criticize your coworker for leaving it in gear (flat lot, presumably reliable e-brake, knowledge that someone else is going to drive it), I'd say that the dealer is on the hook for loss of value.
Car was in their care, will now be worth significantly less money due to something they did, sounds cut and dry to me.

Expecting the installer to pay for damages caused by something he had them install is like asking FM to pay for my speeding tickets once I buy some boost...
Just no.

Neutral and "Parking Brake" on. Should have been. Why did the valet use the remote start ? So many questions.

Seriously, what kind of pansy can't drive across a parking lot without letting a car cool down first?

Kids these days.

SnowMongoose wrote: Expecting the installer to pay for damages caused by something he had them install is like asking FM to pay for my speeding tickets once I buy some boost... Just no.

Would you feel the same way if FM installed their turbo kit for you, but neglected to install the boost controller, and then your engine grenaded the first time somebody took it to WOT?

Driven5 wrote: Would you feel the same way if FM installed their turbo kit for you, but neglected to install the boost controller, and then your engine grenaded the first time somebody took it to WOT?

Apples to Oranges, OP's coworker had something installed correctly but used wrong.

Keith isn't going to be happy about your scenario, btw

Loss of value? Do insurance companies even pay for that?

I think his main issue was that the dealer itself had recommended this shop as "where we send people for remote start install," when he first bought the car (obviously a manual transmission). He's made a point to go to this dealer for all his service in the last 2 years, and the remote start has never apparently been a problem so I'm assuming he had it marked or notated on the work order or something (I'll check for sure tomorrow).

z31maniac wrote: Loss of value? Do insurance companies even pay for that?

wasn't there just a thread about that on here a couple days ago? I remember reading it (I thought here), which is why I even brought it up.

SnowMongoose wrote:

Driven5 wrote: Would you feel the same way if FM installed their turbo kit for you, but neglected to install the boost controller, and then your engine grenaded the first time somebody took it to WOT?

Apples to Oranges, OP's coworker had something installed correctly but used wrong. Keith isn't going to be happy about your scenario, btw

No, it was installed wrong, this is why you typically don't see remote start on a stick car. You need to do real actual fabrication to mount a micro switch somewhere in the shift linkage so it will not start in gear.

Sounds familiar.

If they even offer to make you right, then they are good people in my book.

If it was me I would ding you for damaging my property and tell you to go talk to your remote start installer for the damage. Flat out.

He's lucky the dealer is doing anything at all. Some would have put the blame on him for having a remote start on a manual trans car. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Without knowing more about the damage it's hard to respond intelligently. Depending on how bad it is and depending on how well it's fixed the car won't necessarily have reduced value.

I would assume they'll provide a decent loaner car for the duration of the repair.

I'm kind of shocked the dealer is taking responsibility. That said, I'm guessing the damage will show up on a carfax. Someone should foot the bill for the loss of value IMHO. Might be worth a $50 phone call to a lawyer. Again though, I think it's cool that the dealer stepped up.

The fault is with the installer. Car should not be able to start in gear.

Hope he is insured.

Referral by the dealer does not make them responsible for the poor workmanship of the installer.

However, damage to the car while it is in their possession and on their property IS the responsibility of the dealer, and their insurance will cover it.

I guarantee the adjuster and claims department will be having a little talk with the installer's insurance company.

Doubt he'll get loss of value.

In reply to poopshovel:

Not every dealer pounces on the chance to partake in a pouch of penii

thanks for the thoughts. Will forward them along.

Wally wrote: In reply to poopshovel: Not every dealer pounces on the chance to partake in a pouch of penii

Brilliant. Slowclaps to you, sir.

Hennessy Honda of Woodstock they are not.