I have narrowly avoided a hammering

Did it? I must be having a dim day. 😕

Erm, right.

[Walks away, shaking head slowly, none the wiser.]

I suppose it makes sense not to make you pay the excess and claim it back - you said it's the same insurance company for both parties. No point in the cost of the extra paperwork on themselves.

Sounds like a good outcome and you'll be glad to gave the Leaf back.

Way hay that was quick! Sounds like it was just bolt on bits rather than having to straighten anything which is great.

Oh dear. It just arrived. The bonnet does not sit level against the charging flap at the front, really big gap on the side where it was damaged. Sent it straight back to the workshop. Sigh. Looked like they'd reused the bonnet and it just doesn't fit any more.

Good part is the paint match on the bumper and wing are perfect, I don't know if they come pre-sprayed these days but if not it's a good job.

But it clearly wasn't right overall so back it must go. Honestly don't know who signed that off, just nowhere near good enough.

Yes, I'll do that. It's a bloody shame, I had designs on this car being a keeper, it's such a good one and with a really full spec list of options. I kind of don't want to now. Bah.

She feels absolutely terrible about it already, I haven't got the heart.

Seems it really was just a sloppy bonnet adjustment. They've bought it back already (they're only 0.5 mile away or so) and it's spot on now. Have given it a visual check in all the affected places, and a test drive round the block. It seems fine, doesn't pull anywhere. There's a warranty on the work of course and the bodyshop chap told me to drop by any time if I'm not happy with anything, there's a 5 year warranty on the work. Happy to provide the list of parts replaced and work done if I want it, so I'll probably get that. Looks like the headlamps and sidelights were replaced, obviously wing and bumper, but not the bonnet, and the wheel was resprayed rather than replaced, which is fair enough as it was only scraped not bent. Nothing structural at all to worry about.