Way OT: Newly leased car damaged on the first freaking day!

[Serge28]

So, I need some advice cause I'm a dumbass. Got into my first accident, totalled my car, and decided that, after working my ass off since moving to San Diego, I'd lease a car and actually drive something from this century.

First day driving back, I figured I'd use that fancy rearview camera to back into my parking spot. Didn't realize how much "fatter" this thing is and clipped a corner opposite of the fence I was trying not to back into. There are some scratches, as you can see above. Also a little bit of a dent that results in the driver's door making a popping sound every time I open it. This happened on July 15th.

The dealership had called me to come pick up floor mats weeks ago, but I've been avoiding them. Now that my license plates have finally come in the mail, I really need to go back there to have them attached. No idea what to do. They made me get insurance with an insane minimum coverage AND a $1,000 deductible. Of course I didn't get wear-and-tear, not that it would cover this.

Am I essentially just screwed no matter what? Do I tell them the truth? Tell them somebody hit the car with something when it was parked on the street somewhere? Say nothing and save up for 2 years? Something else I'm missing?

Sorry for the long post. Would love to get some honest feedback besides the obvious - you're an idiot and go face the music.

[LittleRooster]

No, go there and pick up whatever you need. Most likely they won't even notice. If you're going to the service department to pick up stuff, they don't care, they're not affiliated with the guys who will knock you for your car being damaged.

And, on that note, don't tell them anything! When your lease is nearing its end, go to a place you trust and have them fix the damage. Since no accident report was ever filed, they wouldn't know

ETA: I'm on my 2nd leased car and I was in an accident with my first car, waited until my lease was almost up to fix the damage and returned the car. I was not charged any additional money.

[vegaspacker]

I know a guy here in Vegas, and his business is called Bumper Medics. They do repairs for much less than an auto body shop. I imagine that there are places like that in San Diego. I would check out yelp, you're bound to find someone with good reviews that can do it for less.

You can definitely take your time with this if you need to. It appears to be simple cosmetic stuff. As long as your tire doesn't create noise when turning, you'll be able to find someone to fix it for a reasonable amount.

[sidney lanier]

I agree that a quick and dirty repair should be all you need. I'd go to one of the many spiritual descendants of the great Earl Scheib and tell them your lease situation, that you just need something that will pass the dealer's "credit card test" (damage smaller than a credit card usually considered normal wear and tear at the end of the lease), and see what they can do within your budget.

I wouldn't wait until the end of the lease. If you can afford to, fix it now. Every time you get in the car you're going to reminded of the incident, so you might as well put it behind you as soon as you can.

And remember: objects in the camera are closer than they appear.

[humanrefutation]

I had a similar situation with a leased car. I was backing out of a spot, and a car was parked next to me at such an odd angle that as I reversed out of my spot, our fenders smooched a bit and swapped some paint. Between the two vehicles, it was probably ~$800 in damage.

I wasn't sure what to do - I talked it over with my insurance company, and they suggested that they cover the scratches on the other car and I pay out-of-pocket for my damage. That way, I'd avoid the claim costing such a point where my premiums would rise. Seemed fine with me, but I didn't want to pay a dime to re-paint my fender because it was a lease and I didn't give a **** about a little scratch.

In that process, I learned two things:

1. They don't give a **** about any damage like that to a car until your lease expires. I brought in that car to the dealer I leased it from to do oil changes and tire rotations. No questions. No hassle. They didn't GAF. Frankly, the mechanic probably didn't have any idea whether my car was a lease or a purchase or from a third party.
2. If you plan on buying a car from that lessor after your lease, you might be able to have them waive any costs like that in order to solicit a purchase - which is what happened with me.

[WRau1]

I'm telling.