Was lucky to get the panoramic roof version, until it got smashed.....

[nikochan]

and now, almost six weeks with a hole in the roof, things are starting to get us down. I'm posting to garner advice over moaning as we seem to be stuck between a rock and hard place with the insurance and glass repair company.

We leased a brand new LR in October, it was a first for us, leasing, using an EV, having a brand new car - it was exciting to begin with. Then the front section of the glass roof got damaged. We got the car at the end of Autumn so have't even made use of the panny roof yet.

My insurer (Admiral) put me in touch with Autoglass for the repairs who ordered in the parts. Despite weekly calls to Autoglass I can't get any updates other than they have to wait for the glass to arrive. Going back to the insurer to ask for a temporary replacement car didn't yield anything. They say courtesy cars are provided by the garage which isn't applicable here. The enhanced hire car policy I have with them doesn't cover glass repairs, mainly theft of vehicle or while it's held by the garage suffering a repair.

We've done our best to temporarily repair the hole and managed to at least stop any water ingress to the cabin. But that repair is then 'taped' to the roof in order to secure it. We can drive it when there's no chance of rain but the tape we aren't comfortable to let get wet. The first waterproof tape attempt we removed as it was really strong and acted like glue so we didn't want to risk any paint damage.

It's been an incredibly frustrating and inconvenient six weeks to now. I work permanent nights so need a car to commute. Fortunately a kind neighbour lends me their car on wet days as they don't use it through the night. I've needed to arrange separate insurance for this as mine doesn't cover driving other vehicles - something I wasn't aware of until we looked into this.

I hate relying on the kindness of my neighbour so looking for advice and the length of time this is all taking is beginning to take it's toll on us. Any tips to get the insurance company on board with a replacement or some better semi permanent repair suggestions that will keep me running in the rain is welcome.

 

[Lovemyev]

Do you have any photos of the damaged area of the glass please ?.

 

[nikochan]

Do you have any photos of the damaged area of the glass please ?.

We took as much of the glass away as possible as it was shattered in tiny pieces and falling into the cabin. Basically all that's left is the very edge all way around the sunroof.

 

[nikochan]

 

[Tim Green]

Nightmare!
Dare I ask how it got broken?
My solution is a bit expensive....
Take the car somewhere it can remain inside until the glass arrives. Then use say £1000 of your savings to buy virtually anything that has an mot for a year, swop the insurance and use that.

 

[MG steve]

Phone insurance company and say you want to use alternative repairer eg MG then get hire car.

 

[Tim Green]

Ah, but you can sell the cheap car when you're done....

 

[MG steve]

Ah, but you can sell the cheap car when you're done....

With my buying skills I’d lose a lot on buying and selling. Cheaper to get an Uber!

 

[nikochan]

Nightmare!
Dare I ask how it got broken?

Neighbour - young child - stone throwing

 

[Lovemyev]

Given the slow wait time on MG replacement parts, I worry that your wait time could be long unfortunately.
I was told by the local dealer, that replaced warranty parts are not returned.
They are held by the dealer for a while and then thrown away.
There has been a couple of owners who had the whole sky roof cassette replaced.
It’s a shame you can’t get hold of the front glass from one of those cassettes !.
I had a Quick look on e.bay and there is a number of ZS EV’s being broken.
I have a feeling that the front section of the sky roof glass can be removed fairly easily.
What about obtaining one of these glass panels and either fit it yourself, or by your local body shop / garage ?.

 

[MG steve]

Neighbour - young child - stone throwing

Oh in that case use his car when raining

 

[nikochan]

Given the slow wait time on MG replacement parts, I worry that your wait time could be long unfortunately.
I was told by the local dealer, that replaced warranty parts are not returned.
They are held by the dealer for a while and then thrown away.
There has been a couple of owners who had the whole sky roof cassette replaced.
It’s a shame you can’t get hold of the front glass from one of those cassettes !.
I had a Quick look on e.bay and there is a number of ZS EV’s being broken.
I have a feeling that the front section of the sky roof glass can be removed fairly easily.
What about obtaining one of these glass panels and either fit it yourself, or by your local body shop / garage ?.

It's a possibility though I'm no way mechanically minded for vehicles.
My gut is telling me though that this is going to be a drawn out situation.

 

[Lovemyev]

It's a possibility though I'm no way mechanically minded for vehicles.
My gut is telling me though that this is going to be a drawn out situation.

I fear your gut reaction maybe spot on.
Maybe send a message to one of the sellers on e.bay ?.
Just ask them to give you a ball park price for the replacement panel.
Then explain your situation and ask them if it is easy item to remove and replace ?.
If the item is affordable and a easy install, you could be back in your car in a much quicker turn around.

 

[ched]

Have you tried contacting MG or a local dealer for availability of the replacement parts. If you can get a part within a reasonable timescale then speak to the insurance company and see if they will pay the dealer to get and fit the replacement.

 

[nikochan]

Oh in that case use his car when raining

This is adding to our misery actually. Nicey Nicey to our face but completely oblivious to how much inconvenience and heartache they've put upon us.

 

[nikochan]

Have you tried contacting MG or a local dealer for availability of the replacement parts. If you can get a part within a reasonable timescale then speak to the insurance company and see if they will pay the dealer to get and fit the replacement.

So far I haven't approached a dealer or the lease company. I was feeling reluctant to make them aware the car was damaged. But that's maybe our naivety of never having a lease before.

 

[ched]

So far I haven't approached a dealer or the lease company. I was feeling reluctant to make them aware the car was damaged. But that's maybe our naivety of never having a lease before.

I would contact MG - ideally your local dealer and explain the issue that AutoGlass are taking a huge amount of time to source a replacement and can they get a definite delivery date from MG Parts?
The lease company are probably not bothered but I wouldn't get them involved as nothing to gain.
That said I have no idea what the lead time from MG might be and how reliable they would be on delivery dates. Just sounds like it's stressing you out so try every avenue to get it sorted asap.

 

[salty]

Neighbour - young child - stone throwing

So the neighbour pays for it then. Don't they?

 

[nikochan]

So the neighbour pays for it then. Don't they?

Yes, they are inclined to assume they're paying for the insurance excess. I've given them an interim bill for the expenses I incurred during that first week of it happening.
They've agreed to it, but so far aren't forthcoming as yet.

It's like a double misery for us.

 

[nikochan]

I would contact MG - ideally your local dealer and explain the issue that AutoGlass are taking a huge amount of time to source a replacement and can they get a definite delivery date from MG Parts?
The lease company are probably not bothered but I wouldn't get them involved as nothing to gain.
That said I have no idea what the lead time from MG might be and how reliable they would be on delivery dates. Just sounds like it's stressing you out so try every avenue to get it sorted asap.

I'll look into this on my next off cycle.