Sentry has let me down - What is the advise and estimate for the PDR?

[QuirkEinstein]

After parking for a few hours, I discovered a significant dent on the trunk of the car.

I successfully retrieved the dashcam footage of my arrival and departure, featuring a different vehicle each time. However, there was no footage captured by Sentry, which was activated with Camera-aware for the entire duration. Consequently, I cannot ascertain whether it was the departing vehicle, the arriving vehicle, or another vehicle that attempted and failed to parallel park. Attempted forensic recovery of the USB drive without success.


Considering the dent, I would have expected Sentry to activate due to the motion or even the minor vibration caused to the vehicle; however, it did not. I am disheartened and quite disappointed with Sentry, which I consistently utilise to prevent such incidents and was one of the significant selling points of Tesla, in my humble opinion. It captures trivial recordings of someone merely walking alongside the vehicle on the sidewalk, yet when another automobile collides with me in a parking lot, it seemed disinclined to record...
Over the preceding eighteen months, Tessie informed me that the vehicle consumed more than 750 kWh on Sentry mode while stationary. That amounts to practically a complete fee per month without any benefit, which has left me somewhat irate.

Are there any indications regarding the repairability of this damage via Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), an estimated cost, and recommendations for shops or mobile services in South London? I estimate approximately £200, which is not catastrophic but remains frustrating when incurred due to a negligent and insensitive driver who departed the scene without leaving a notice.

[p00rmansp0rsche]

Are you entirely certain that the event occurred at the time you believe it did? A ding on the passenger side or the trunk could remain unnoticed for several days.

[QuirkEinstein]

Affirmative, one hundred percent. I had freshly cleaned the car in the morning and would have noticed immediately when opening the boot to retrieve items. Regrettably, it is quite difficult to overlook.

[CyberNinja]

It is exasperating when Sentry fails to meet expectations; yet, I pose a sincere inquiry: what actions would you have taken if you have evidence and a registration?

Review your insurance and face elevated premiums? The sole occasion it has been advantageous to me was when it involved a colleague, allowing me to discreetly persuade them to cover the repair costs personally instead of utilising their insurance. I would never have made such a claim, however.


Regarding that dent. I am unable to assist you with South London; but, I had four distinct dents removed off my brand new Y by an individual in Wickford, who charged me £50 and completed the task in a matter of minutes.

[QuirkEinstein]

They would have filed a claim with their own insurance, not mine. Therefore, no excess is anticipated, and ideally, there will be no rise in the premium due to lack of fault. NCB retained. Furthermore, they would incur a penalty for the offence of evading a road traffic collision without exchanging information, which would be justly deserved.
The cost is contingent upon whether it is a £50 repair achievable with suction cups and skill, or a £300+ repair due to its complexity and the angles of the body lines.

[CyberNinja]

I am genuinely with you. You are conversing with an individual who pursued a person relentlessly for £30 worth of damage to a fence post on my driveway, which ultimately incurred a cost of £95. This endeavour required nearly a year of follow-up, all due to their lack of courtesy in failing to knock on the door and apologise for damaging the post. I would have responded with, "No worries, it happens frequently."

I only took that action since no other car was involved, and my method prevents any linkage of the claim to a driver, therefore avoiding any rise in premiums.


If I had to file a claim with my car insurance, the situation would have been markedly different. Although these companies assure that it will not impact my no-claims status or raise my premiums, I am still obligated to disclose it upon renewal, and they will inevitably find a way to disadvantage me.

I believe the penalty for evading a road traffic collision is likely excessive, given individuals may claim they were unaware of the incident.

That was the sole message I intended to convey. We are in a predicament regardless of the circumstances.

[Rashman4u]

Apologies, original poster. However, it is possible that your TSLA does not perform rear recordings. Could you verify that?

[Rashman4u]