Model Year 23/24 Splitter replaced at dealer, charging for recalibration

[jacketh]

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice please. 2 years ago I had a VZ1 and was a bit of a numpty and damaged the splitter driving into my security post. I had it replaced at the dealer. £200 for the part and £50 for the labour. Fast forward 2 years and I now have a VZ2 (2024) so no facelift. Being an idiot I did exactly the same thing. This time round same part, £210 but the labour is around £300 because the bumper had to be removed to replace the splitter. This was surprising as my VZ1 is almost identical, especially in that area. They also charged me for dynamic recalibration. However this failed so they removed it. However they are charging me £350 as they need to calibrate it offsite as they don’t have the equipment at the dealer

Am I having my pants pulled down here? A job has gone from £250 odd to around £850 odd this time. Also the sensors were working perfectly fine. They’ve left me with a car with 3 warning lights and no assist systems now. If ifs fair and I need to pay this then fair enough. But just wanted to get some advice as I feel like they have caused this by removing the bumper?

Thanks all, appreciate any advice!

 

[James_R]

I dare say the workshop manual will state that the ACC radar will need some form of calibration (be it static or dynamic) whenever the bumper is removed and refitted due to the possibility of it being in a slightly different position once the repair is complete. They are following Cupras repair instructions.

They may have been better off quoting for a static calibration from the offset.

It is unusual for a dynamic calibration to fail, but it does happen.

If they have to sublet the repair then they have no control over what the other company will be charging.

 

[tomek_olo]

Normal procedure to recalibrate the radar if the bumper was removed.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

£350 for a radar calibration is ridiculous, we charge £150 + VAT

 

[Cupra_33]

If they have to sublet the repair then they have no control over what the other company will be charging.

Sorry, a bit late…
Maybe I misunderstand, but to me, if the dealer has to subcontract any part of the work, it nevertheless remains his responsibility to assess the right price before the job is done. The customer has to know how much he will be charged, before he decides to have the car repaired by the dealer or not.

 

[James_R]

I do agree, however in the case of the OP, the dealer will have no idea before the repair if a dynamic calibration will work or not and has quoted for further work.