I am looking to lease a new Lexus, my current lease is up and I extended it. It is open-ended and I can end at any time.

However, over the weekend I noticed a scratch/dent on the front passenger door. I park in a parking garage daily, so it could have occurred there or a shopping cart, etc. A pic is posted. There are three scratches, it is slightly dented, and the longest is probably 8-10 inches. I’m beyond angry. I do not understand how someone can hit a car and cause this much damage and leave. Not sure how it could have happened and they didn’t realize it. I used some rubbing compound and buffed out some of the surface damage.

I went to a body shop, and they said $760 to “paint and make it look good” or $1,260 to blend the paint and do it right. My insurance deductible is $500.

Looking at the picture, I assume I’m better off to get it fixed then to take the hit from Lexus when I return it? Anyone have experience with this? The rest of the car is in great shape. Tire tread, bumpers, etc. Very, very minimal curb rash on rims.

Thoughts? Any idea what AutoVIN would charge me?

 

too minor if leasing another lexus. Just get a lease return inspection and "if" they ding you for that just negotiate to get that waived since you leasing a new one..

 

Picture is hard to tell but is it down to the metal? That almost looks like you could make most of that disappear by polishing it out. If you know someone with a random dual orbital polisher they should be able to make that go away.


-Nigel

 

I see no dent and it's superficial rub, not really a scratch. Wet sanding usually makes those disappear completely. Starting with maybe 1200 grit, VERY gently with lots of water. Going all the way up to 3000 grit>polishing compound.

 

Yeah, there is a dent. Hard to see in the picture. One of the scratches is kind of deep.

 

Check DentBusters - paintless dents removal.

 

I checked with them, and apparently it's near a brace so they couldn't help. I'm wondering if I should just chance it and give it back... hoping Lexus dings me for less than the $700 the body shop wanted to paint it.

 

It's impossible to judge over a single pic that doe snot really show much, or lets you feel it. I pulled out several flat metal dents with meat grinder suction base... seriously. The rest is wet sanding.