Definitions:

“Chelmsford Car Care” refers to the Chelmsford Car Care trading company as shown on the face of the invoice/estimate.

Estimates and Bookings:

The estimate prepared by Chelmsford Car Care is an offer to conduct repairs to the damage indicated at the price stated. The customer’s agreement however stated to proceed with repairs constitutes acceptance of that offer and forms a binding legal contract incorporating these Terms of Business.

If for any reason, including but not limited to inclement weather, Chelmsford Care Car is unable to carry out the repair or collection at the time or date indicated on the Estimate, any and all liability incurred by Chelmsford Car Care as a result shall be discharged by Chelmsford Car Care making an offer to conduct the repair at the Estimate price at an alternative time or date convenient to both parties, whether or not such time date is identified or such offer is accepted.

Carrying out vehicle body repairs:

Chelmsford Car Care undertakes to carry out the repairs indicated on the Estimate. If it becomes clear during the work that, in the opinion of the repairer, further work is necessary to properly complete the repairs outlined on the Estimate, the customer’s authorisation and agreement will be obtained before any further work is undertaken that would increase the price shown on the Estimate. If such authorisation is not forthcoming, Chelmsford Car Care reserves the right not to continue with the repairs that require the further work. In these circumstances the full Estimate price remains payable by the customer. Further work that does not increase the Estimate price may be proceeded with without the requirement for customer authorisation.

No repair will be identical to an automotive factory finish, which is machine-sprayed to tolerances beyond human capability. Hence no repair will ever be ‘as good as new’. Chelmsford Car Care discharges its obligations under any repair agreement by providing a good quality, hand-completed aftermarket repair. In normal circumstances, such a repair is unlikely to be detected by a casual examination of the vehicle by an untrained observer unaware of the previous damage location.

The Chelmsford Car Care repair system includes elements (including but not limited to factoring paint reproduction recipe database) that are provided by third parties. Finish (including but not limited to colour) match may be approximate only when limitations of such third party supplied elements prevent a more precise finish match. In any such case, provision by Chelmsford Car Care of an approximate finish match will be considered supply of a good quality repair.

It is the absolute responsibility of the customer to advise Chelmsford Car Care of any non-original finish areas on the vehicle. In case of incompatibility with a non-original finish (whether or not notified by the customer) Chelmsford Car Care has the right to void this contract – in these circumstances, Chelmsford Car Care will not be obliged to complete or rectify any repair and the customer will not be obliged to make payment. Liability for mutual contractual mistake under this agreement rests with the customer.

Carrying out Air Conditioning Repairs and Services:

Chelmsford Car Care undertakes to carry out the services indicated on the Estimate. This Estimate guarantees a service to a vehicles air conditioning system which includes the following (if applicable), an initial system test, a visual check of the assessable system’s components such as hoses, belts, condenser, compressor, fans, electrics etc, checking of internal system controls, flaps, heating etc (visually), the recovery of any existing refrigerant from the system, a vacuum of the A/C system, a re-gas (recharge) of the A/C system with refrigerant to the vehicles specific levels, the adding of leak testing components; for example A/C oil and leak detection dye, and were applicable an odour and bacterial Removal Treatment (where an addition charge will apply), a full post re-gas system test, the adding of security seals and to update customers service records.

If it becomes clear during the work, that, in the opinion of the repairer, a repair is necessary to properly complete the service outlined on the Estimate, the customer’s authorisation and agreement will be obtained before any further work is undertaken where a surcharge will apply (parts etc), there is no guarantee that this can be performed on the agreed day stated on the Estimate and may be re scheduled depending on the availability of the repairer. If such authorisation is not forthcoming, Chelmsford Car Care reserves the right not to continue with the service requiring the further work. In these circumstances the full Estimate price remains payable by the customer. Further work that does not increase the Estimate price may proceed without the requirement for customer authorisation and may also be recommended following the service, possibly increasing the performance of the vehicle’s air conditioning. This will ultimately be down to the customer’s discretion.

Extent of warranty on vehicle body repair:

Chelmsford Car Care guarantees repairs for a period of two years. This is a formulation and application guarantee: that the finish will not degrade due to the paint being improperly mixed or applied by Chelmsford Car Care.

No guarantee of any sort is offered against damage to the finish by any corrosion or rust (whether or not evident before the repair was carried out) by failure of the surface to which the repair is applied (including but not limited to failure of a previous aftermarket paintwork repair), further accident or impact (including but not limited to stone chipping) or by inappropriate aftercare once the vehicle has been returned to the customer. Aftercare instructions will be supplied by Chelmsford Car Care with the customer invoice.

Chip repairs, ‘touch-ins’ and any other repairs identified as such to the customer by Chelmsford Car Care will be on an ‘improve only’ basis, and no representation is made and no guarantee offered that such a repair will be in any way undetectable against the original finish. Repairs may be identified as an “attempt to improve only” in which case Chelmsford Car Care does not guarantee any improvement. Claims under the Chelmsford Car Care guarantee are settled by free rectification or (at Chelmsford Car Care’s discretion) a refund equal to the portion of the invoice price representing the unsatisfactory repair. Any refund or liability shall be limited to a maximum of the amount quoted upon the estimate or invoice. Chelmsford Car Care will not be liable for any consequential loss incurred as the result of a repair. It is incumbent on the customer to keep a receipt as proof of work carried out. Any warranty claim made without a receipt shall be at Chelmsford Car Care’s discretion.

The warranty is not transferable.

Extent of warranty on Air Conditioning repairs and services:

Chelmsford Car Care guarantees repairs for a period of one year against defects arising through workmanship. New parts fitted also have a warranty period of one year.

Chelmsford Car Care use only extremely accurate testing equipment, but this unfortunately may not detect very slow leaks which normally take days or even weeks to drain. Therefore, Chelmsford Car Care will not be liable for any consequential loss or damage incurred as a result.

The stickers used recommend a vehicle’s next service date, all warranty claims will be invalid without the presence of an intact self adhesive service indicator, no guarantee will also be offered if a vehicle following a service, provided by Chelmsford Car Care returns with (tampered) broken service seals.

Payment:

Unless other arrangements have been agreed beforehand, payment in full is due on completion of the repair and shall be by cheque, cash, and credit or debit card (subject to the card processing fee in force at the time of payment). We regret we are unable to process payment by American Express. Chelmsford Car Care is entitled to exercise a lien over the repaired vehicle until satisfactory payment is made by the customer, which in the case of payment by cheque shall be deemed to have taken place when a cheque has cleared in the banking process.