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Car is having a repair estimate from a proper repair place this week as its come recommended from a couple of mates and I would 'prefer' it to be done properly.
But..... The issue that might arise from going to a repair place where they source new genuine parts and cut out panels and again replace with genuine ones and their work in manufacturer approved is the cost involved.
My issue it I really love the car and want to keep it but fear that they may say its not financially viable.
So wondered if anyone knows the percentage cut off point in a cars value to when it becomes an uneconomical repair and how much of the agreed payout you have to pay for salvage to keep the car?
Car is worth around 3.5k I'd say.
There's also my less preffered option of going to a cheaper repair place I suppose to get another quote where hopefully I can sourse some second-hand parts to keep the costs down?
Cheers for any advice. 👍
If they decide to write it off, ask for a cash offer in lieu of repair, then negotiate. There’s usually a bit of flex.
They would give you an offer for the car if it is not an economical repair but they would normally let you buy the car from them however it is then up to you to get it repaired and normally remotd or inspected dependant on category (structural or non structural) and you will have to declare it a written off car if you try to resell it.
Some insurance companies refuse to let you buy the car. Tried recently on a van which an employee managed to write off. It will probably end up at Copart auction (see other thread)
Happened to me last year, had the front offside wing pushed in by an idiot driver who changed her mind on a roundabout. Didn’t affect the drivability of the car, a 51-plate Octavia, had it assessed, it was written off, but I could keep the car if I accepted a lower cash offer based on a 28% reduction. The car was valued at £900, I got £680, plus it had to go through an MOT to prove roadworthiness, which it did.
Still driving it every day over a year later, it failed its most recent MOT, due to worn front suspension components, and a few other bits, which cost a bit, but it’s good for another year, so I’ve effectively got a car I know that’s cost £545 for the next year.
Thanks all.
Wonder if I should speak to the Insurance Company before I take it in for the estimate....?
Does your insurer not know of the damage/accident already? They can get a bit moody about things like that. Was there a 3rd party involved?
You are in a stronger position with buying it back if you are actually in physical posession of it.
It doesn’t take much to write off a £3k car these days, a dint on the door was enough to finish mine off.
£1900 of estimated repairs on a car worth £2800 was enough to write the car off the other year. Annoying as I'd far rather it had been repaired.
Yes insurance company knows and there's a third party involved, blame yet to be decided. Not that it changes the outcome of what happens to my car, just my excess.
Just wondered if I should have a discussion with the insurance company along the lines of the car being a possible write off before I go to the repair shop or wait until after I've seen them.
I told the insurance company that I would like to take it to my preferred place to get a quote myself, rather than it being collected. Thinking along the same lines as you tj.
From what rh & ebg are saying with their figures it's not looking good for me I'd say 🙄
Wish me luck... 😁
An inattentive van driver dented the tailgate on our 55 plate BMW 330d touring and that was enough to render it a cat N write off. £4,500 offer from our insurer less a £1k buy-back meaning we've got a perfectly usable car that now owes us nothing.
The fact we'd recently spent the best part of £2k on the clutch / DMF, tyres and a service just made me even keener to hang in to it.
22% buyback is that the normal percentage?
its probably not far off if its just light panel damage (different from a burnt out wreck). Seems like a fair deal?
Isn't there something about the insurance co not having to write it off, if you can agree a settlement with them and there's no structural damage. Might be better if you want to sell it later? I may have dreamt it though.
Our Panda was written off in July. A nice old lady in an SUV drove through a give way line while looking the wrong way and bashed our doors in. She took full responsibility. No damage other than the crushed door skins but repairing it was out of the question.
This was an immaculate, low mileage 100HP that we paid just over 3 grand for and intended to keep long term. They offered us £3100 for the car or £2650 if we keep it. We took the money, I found a matching pair of doors for £60 and spent a morning fixing it. The car looks brand new again but it's a Cat D which probably halves the sale value but we haven't tried selling it yet.
Had a helpful visit to the repair shop, waiting for their email in next couple of days.
One area of concern I had turns out it can be repaired rather than replaced so that's a relief but when the chap starting listing what would be done.... I fear the worst. 😭
Anyway, cup half full time. Fingers crossed 😁
Around 14% buyback for you then shark.