Thanks milord,

It's not a scratch; it's quite serious damage (diameter ~50cm, depth ~5cm, mainly in passenger door). So I don't think do-it-yourself will work. Any other suggestions?

Edward:  your first move should be to contact a car bodyshop dealing with your automobile brand and model and ask for a quote in two options: 1) replacing of part and new paint, 2) fixing big bump damage on existing part and paint . Try make sure the estimate does include a courtesy car while your car is being repaired.

This document will be used on next steps for chasing a better offer. Depending your flexibility and current location, your car can be fixed on Geneva side or on french border side.

Milord - I already have a calculation from a Volkswagen dealer. Now I need other garages to compare. You're right that I may want to look in France.

Dont !  I live in FR  ... all workmanship here is shoddy to say the least.

Hi

Well thats a sweeping wide statement to say the least !!!  Do not be naive in thinking it's better in Switzerland.

I have seen both good and bad on both sides concerning garages and 'carroserie' workmanship.

These have worked for me

route du Mandement 15
1217 Meyrin

022 796 68 89

Yes, I'd also say that not all garages in France do shoddy work. I can recommend Carrosserie Grossiord in Ferney (near the big Carrefour). You won't get some of the niceties like a courtesy car, and you probably won't want to eat your lunch off the floor like you can in some of the garages in CH. But they get the job done and I guarantee they'll be cheaper than the Volkswagen dealers in Switzerland.

Thanks for the recommendations guys. That gives me something to get started.

Hi Edward,

I know this was a long time ago, but do you remember where you got the body work done and whether or not you were happy with the results / price?

Thanks,
Oded

Good and cheep dont exist here. what about insurance coverage, we al must have insurance, hope you had casco integral or complete.

Further Good and cheep is all relative.

In situations like Edward's they replace the entire door because fixing the dent would be more expensive and potentially unsafe (structural damage). If the car is a popular color dealers can sometime order the part factory painted and just fit it. A third party garage would still order the part from the dealership of your car for the same price so if there's not a huge difference in labor costs I would say stick with your dealer.

Thanks Cata,

My situation is different from Edward's.

I just have a couple of small scratches on the door.  No serious damage that would require a new door.

I saw that someone mentioned do it yself scratch removing paste so I'll give that a try.

O

I would still go to a garage. You don't want to be experimenting on your car. They have professional products and a machine with rotating bristles to apply it evenly, not to mention the know-how. For a small surface it should be less than 50 bucks.