Advice Please Regarding Accident

Diamond78

Tesco called me to say the problem with the system that has crashed could be down until Monday. I understand its a nation wide problem and lot's of people will be affected by this but if my bumper would cost £309 which was quoted to me by the garage, why can they not work it from there for the estimate? Does anyone know how the estimates are worked out? Thanks in advance.

Quentin

If the bumper itself costs £300+, then by the time you add labour and respraying you may be looking at a write off here, which may explain the delay.

MadDogWoman_2

The bodyshop will have an on-site estimator who sends over the estimate which lists what he thinks is required parts, labour etc, Tesco's will have an in-house engineer look at the pictures and compare them to what the bodyshop is asking for.

The engineer will then contact the bodyshop and they will discuss the estimate and if necessary arrange for someone to visit the garage and physically inspect the vehicle (always the case in possible write offs).

Our bodyshop uses more than one estimating system and some of our work providers have been asking us to use our other one today.

Diamond78

Thank you MadDogWoman. The engineer from Tesco phoned me today and he told me their system they use was still down and would be down until Monday. He is a bit suspicious of the garage as he inspected my car but the garage gave him an estimate over the phone for £1274. I was shocked and he said in all his years he has worked, he has not none for any car with a damaged bumper to cost so much. He reckons that the garage have included the dent in the front of my car, which was already there when I purchased the car. So he has to go back there again and inspect it as well as look into why the garages estimate is so high. The dent in the front of the car is old and it is obvious due to it being rusty. So there is nothing I can really do about it although I am not happy. I have the hire car through Enterprise now and I am grateful that I have it but I would rather have my car back. Thanks for your info.

MadDogWoman_2

That's sounds entirely possible but the engineer has the power to say that certain damage isn't accident related and is not to be repaired.

It also possible that they are trying to use genuine parts which would bump the price up.

Diamond78

Thanks MadDogWoman for your reply. The only part they would be getting is a bumper which is £309, plus labour and VAT on top of that. Hopefully the engineer will sort it out and give me an accurate estimate on Monday.

Diamond78

Hi Everyone,
Well the engineer just called me as their system is up and running. My car is a write off as the estimate is over £1000. He offered me £500, which I suppose is ok but I have my car stereo in the car and I paid £90 for it. He said I could go up to the garage and collect it but its too far for me to go there. Should I accept the offer or decline it and see what he says or can he refuse by refusal of not accepting the offer? Many thanks in advance.

mcjordi

see if they will increase the offer, they normally do on a first refusal.. i would go and get the cd player personally.

what are similar condition/mileage examples going for on autotrader?

Diamond78

Thanks mcjordi. I had a look on autotrader and there are 2 cars similar to mine, one is just under £500 and the other is £700 but both cars mileage is less. Mine is 124,000. The engineer explained that due to hig mileage and the other dents ect in my car, that was all he could offer me. The garage is too far for me to go and collect the cd player and there is no one else that could get it for me. I don't think I would be able to find a car to buy for £500. Im gutted and wish I never bothered with getting the garage to take my car.

mcjordi

is that after or before you excess is taken?