Valuation Car

Shoshannah

I have had an initial discussion with my insurer regarding the value of my stolen car. I would like to point out something straight away - it is a Ford Sierra. I owned this car for four years under no delusions that it was worth thousands. I am aware that whatever happens, I will not get a lot for it. Please bear that in mind, I am not in cloud cuckoo land.

It was a 1992 Sierra Sapphire 2.0i GLX Automatic. It was insured for 'Market Value, not exceeding £5000'. The gentleman I spoke to when I called the insurance company was honest and helpful. He told me to find examples of similar cars to try and estimate the value. They will not accept an owners' club valuation for this car because it was not quite a Classic.

The value he gave me on a 1992 GLX 2.0i Estate was £295. Deducting my £100 excess, I would be looking at a payout of £150-£200 basically. If this is the case, I will accept that.

Now... I have owned Sierras for a long time and it would be fair to say I know a thing or two about them. It is clear to me that they are less common and generally worth a bit more than they were 3 or 4 years ago. My Sierra was no minter, by any means. But it was not a shed.

Photos if it helps. Photos are 2-3 months old; saggy wingmirror has been replaced since then!!!





I have no history before I bought it 4 years ago. I have kept all MOTs and garage receipts since I had it, but serviced it myself at home so have no official service history. Any work it ever needed doing, was done. It was well looked after and had new brakes, reconditioned head, TCA polybushes, lots of other new parts, and MOT until December 2009.

Only downside was a few parking dints and high mileage (190,000K). Slight rust on arches (common Sierra problem) but bodywork 100% sound otherwise.

I hope you can see that the car was not a £50 nail.

I personally think it was worth £400. Last year I purchased a vastly inferior car to this one for £450. I looked on Autotrader but was unable to find any equivalent Sierras. Ebay and classified ads have revealed equivalent cars with prices ranging from £275 to £570. Some of these were asking prices, others were sold for the prices.

I found a 1991 Sierra Sapphire 2.0i Auto, albeit lower mileage, with an asking price of £590, with a massive dent in the door!!!

I think I will end up getting £200 for her, but I would like to try and up the value. Every little helps when I have to replace all the stupid things like wellies and glasses which were in the car when it was taken.

Any ideas? Or should I just take whatever they offer me?

dacouch

Send them in evidence of the adverts, speak really politely to your claims handler and explain you will be happy with say £500 and it will save a lot of hassle for you and them. There is a good chance taking into account the amounts involved they may agree to this especially if you are lucky enough to get the right person and speak in a polite and friendly way. I find using their name when addressing them helps as they will associate with you more especially if when they call you Mrs X you say thats ok call me (Whatever your first name is).

Bear in mind they have to be able to demonstrate if any one else reviews your file in the future that the amount they have paid you is correct so they will normally want some evidence from you. Also just because cars are advertised for x price does not mean they are selling for this amount so proof from ebay that the same or very similar cars have actually sold for the amount you are asking for is a great help. Also bear in mind they are not interested in what effect your £100 excess has on the amount you get paid so don't use this as an arguement.

Like I said be polite, friendly and have info with you and approach it as it will save us both a lot of time if you increase to £500. They might agree or will often say I'll meet you half way.

Good luck

Shoshannah

Thanks for the tips.

One more thing (sorry, I'm bleeding your brain dry today!!!). When looking at adverts for cars of this age, it is clear that the amount of MOT left on it (if any) often seems to have some bearing on the price.

If I had sold the car, the longish MOT surely would have got me more for it? It had about 8 months' worth. Will this push up the value even though it is completely meaningless how much MOT it had really?

That sounds a bit silly reading it back...

dacouch

It won't affect it massively as the Insurers would expect you to maintain and service the vehicle anyway.

You can use it as an arguement but like I said it won't make a massive difference.

Try and find adverts or ebay listings for the same or very similar car (Same age etc) and use these as a guide for you and them