My car was damaged at my home that I rent from a person. He had the roof done by this certain company and somehow my cars' hood was severely dented. I bought this car for 500.00 from a friend of mine but is worth around 3000.00. The estimate I have is for 900.00. This guy is trying to get me second hand hood from a junk yard or body shop. I want a new hood. What is my next course of action?

Hello lsu:

Sue him.

excon

Small claims is usually fairly inexpensive to file and you can do it yourself. Go to the courthouse and in Missouri, they have a small claims handbook that walks you through the process and how to do it.

Frankly, if they are offering to repair the damage using a used part, I don't think you will win. If this was a new car, maybe, but given its an old car, replacing the hood with a used part as long as the condition is comparable and its painted to match, is not unreasonable.

Try Small Claims Court but I would be surprised if you will be awarded $900 to replace a hood on a $3,000 car - and you will be asked what you paid for the car which would complicate matters further.

Make sure you can back up your $3,000 value claim -