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Damaged floor, worth fixing? dangerous?

tiamai_d
tiamai_d Posts: 11,987 Forumite
10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
Our little 3 door fiesta was in an accident today. Back end spun out on a corner and it went over bricks. Only damage is underneath which has caused the floor in the back footwell (drivers side) to rise up quite a bit.

The back seats have never been used as the car is used to take OH to work and back.

If, the car turns out to still be safe and legal to drive, would it be worth having it fixed or just leave it and never use that side of the back seats?

Opinions please.
«1

Comments

  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Check no damage to brake pipes and exhaust system. You might also want to check that the wheels and suspension are OK.

    Assuming there is no other damage it shouldn't be a problem driving it. You might want to get you local bodyshop to bash the floor back down again how much you spend on doing that will depend on the value of the car.
  • steveo3002
    steveo3002 Posts: 2,731 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    if the garage confirms all the important bits are still safe , then id suggest you find a friend thats a diy person..a stout block of wood and a club hammer should make it useable again
  • goldspanners
    goldspanners Posts: 5,910 Forumite
    i would also go under it with a tin of hammerite and slap it over any bits of bare metal,especially the floor,with the amount of salt put on our roads it will rot in no time.
    ...work permit granted!
  • Depends if the chassis is still straight.

    Get it looked at.
  • wazza
    wazza Posts: 2,595 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    First off i will check if the brake pipe and petrol pipe has been damaged. Easy way to check is look under the car and see if you see anything dripping or if there is a wet patch on the ground. Check your brake fluid reservoir to see if it is still full,

    most car have brake pipes running under the car and some have petrol pipe running inside the car.

    Remove the back seat to check if nothing has been damaged like the wiring for the rear lights etc.

    If you are not qualified then take the car to the garage and check underneath. Check for damaged pipes and also for any damage to the suspension and the chassis. If the garage says everything is okay then just get them to hammer out the dent.

    Has the wheels hit anything? If so have the tyres checked and have a four wheel alignment check.
    Problem with having access to internet is that i get asked by many to solve their problems :( Well at least i learn something on the way :D
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    steveo3002 wrote: »
    if the garage confirms all the important bits are still safe , then id suggest you find a friend thats a diy person..a stout block of wood and a club hammer should make it useable again


    I think I'd actually thump this back reasonably flat before I got it checked out, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that you could do damage to brake/fuel lines that isn't visible at present.

    It is quite possible that if it's raised the floor by the amount you have indicated it will have distorted the chassis, this being all one and the same effectively. Needs a 4 wheel alignment check methinks.;)

    Ah, just seen the last post mentioned this too.
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • tiamai_d
    tiamai_d Posts: 11,987 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks everyone.

    Seems to be running fine and no puddles underneath.

    It will be going in in the next day or two.
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Just keep a feel for any untoward vibrations, you might have damaged a rim.

    Assuming it is an older car as has been stated a block of wood and a big hammer should do the trick.
  • tiamai_d
    tiamai_d Posts: 11,987 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's a 2001 (or 2002, can't remember off hand) fiesta.

    The back end keeps wanting to slide out though, so there may have been a problem there already. Though I think he was just going too fast and it's his own fault. :rolleyes:

    It's booked in for next week anyway.
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    tiamai_d wrote: »
    The back end keeps wanting to slide out though, so there may have been a problem there already.

    Possibly needed a shock absorber or a rear suspension bush if it was skipping out at the back.

    I have an old Merc tthat was revived for another yea on the road (almost up) and there is a rear bush away and it always wants to step out at the back on corners or even under acceleration....very dangerous. Thanfully it is now off the road.
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