@MJM71 if i’m not mistaken, RACV has a lifetime warranty on the repair so you are covered if there are any workmanship issues that pop up.
Since you say the repaired left side is visibly different that the original right side, I’d say there is an issue with the workmanship and thus with quality of repair which is something that should be addressed.
Holden may state that such repairs need 13 spot welds and I’d guess that is either due to the non factory spot welds not bing as strong as those done within the factory (so more are added to compensate) OR Holden simply recommends 13 so that such vehicle repairs are identifiable. Sadly there is no way of knowing what the reason really is and in any case repairers must do the fix according to the manufacturer’s defined methods. But whether it’s 13 or 10 spot welds, it shouldn’t be an issue to heavily focus on (unless you know it’s done for identification reasons and can prove it, in which case I’d want it addressed).
The real issue in my view is that there should be no ripples, panel alignment or paint mismatch problems, reliance on thick bog to sort out panel waves, etc. Also, the repaired side spot welded lips shouldn’t be appreciably thicker than the other side (indicating poor prep or clamping maybe).
If there are visible differences between repaired and non repairs sides, the vehicle hasn’t really been repaired to its pre accident condition (ignoring the number of spot welds). As such, it must have a lower value. So I’d be focusing on ensuring that RACV knows that you expect the repair that they provide with a lifetime warranted is done at the highest level, basically to reduce issues of having to go back and get things fixed via their lifetime repair warranty. Usually when the accessor knows that the client also knows a little about repair process and understands their policy wording and the lifetime warranty they provide with the repair, they seem to take a “fix it better approach”, usually but not always. RACV don’t seem care much what the contract repairs thinks as RACV has the view they are working for them, not you...
So maybe you can get some Holden repair method docs from motor vehicle repairers association which could help you to gain a better understanding of the spot weld issue and of the industry repair standards. Then you can better discuss the quality of the repair job with the RACV assessor.
Oh, a little late now but always consider whether it may be better going through your insurance rather than the other parties insurance. For example, if the idiot that crashed into you is insured with a budget company and you are insured with a premium company, you will be much better off claiming through your policy (no excess as you’ve identified the at fault party).
It’s sad and results in headaches when some idiot smash into your pride and joy. But what can you do when the state seems to hand out licences as if they came out of a cornflakes box and property insurance isn’t mandatory... have good insurance yourself I guess
