Andrew Swindells’ BMW was involved in a crash at a multi-storey car park by Manchester Airport’s valet staff while he was on a business trip to the US. The car was left up at the car park for weeks as it was unable to be moved due to the extent of the damage. His insurers eventually settled with the airport, after what he described as a lack of customer service. Swindells likened the scenes at the airport to something out of ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
Swindells gave his BMW One series to the valet staff at the airport after paying for a meet and greet service. While having dinner in Chicago, he was alerted to a serious collision in his car, which he initially thought was a sensor error. He was then contacted by BMW asking if he was alright and to pull over immediately. Upon returning to Manchester, he saw his car crashed into a concrete bollard at the car park. The airport has since settled with his insurers and apologized for the incident.
The airport staff initially informed Swindells that the car had been driven slowly and safely before it crashed into the concrete block, rendering it a write-off. The car, bought second-hand 12 months prior, could not be moved and had to be left at the top floor of the car park for an insurance assessment. His insurers provided him with a hire car while the situation was resolved, and eventually offered him market value for the car.
Swindells had to follow up with the airport multiple times to get the situation resolved and eventually agreed to the settlement offered by the airport for his car. Despite the lack of communication from the airport throughout the process, Swindells acknowledged that the managers he met with on site were helpful and cooperative. The airport’s spokesperson issued an apology to Swindells and assured that incidents leading to any kind of damage are extremely rare.
The airport’s valet staff at Manchester Airport crashed Andrew Swindells’ £30,000 BMW One series into a concrete bollard while he was away on a business trip to the US, using the meet and greet parking service. The car was left at the car park for weeks due to the extent of the damage and had to undergo an insurance assessment before being declared a write-off. Swindells criticized the lack of customer service he received from the airport but eventually reached a settlement with his insurers after weeks of back and forth.
In conclusion, Swindells’ experience with Manchester Airport’s valet parking service resulted in his car being written off after a crash by the airport staff. Despite the delays and lack of communication from the airport, the situation was eventually resolved with a settlement from the insurers. The incident highlighted the importance of customer service and communication in such situations and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with valet parking services at airports.
