Insurance category C write off....

sillygirl73

We only bought it in Nov last year, and it had new break discs and pads, 4 new tyres and had just passed its MOT and had a full service . I don't think it has a cambelt?

kk20

2003 zetec were fantastic cars - I had an estate mondeo that I drove to its end (big end bearing at 210,000 miles). It does have a cambelt and it DOES need changing circa 90k (ford say longer but they have issues with worn cambelts).

Personally i'd leave it be, the condenser is low down on the front and can push the radiator up. Did the radiator fan get "nudged"? There is a lot of framework around there and if that needs straightening out then it will cost more to source parts, jig and sort out than probably buying another second hand one with money from ebay etc. Cat D is normally "too old to be bothered repairing" whereas Cat C usually means a jig of some sort - frame damage.

I dont know where you are but here is a ballpark figure of a replacement (garage too not private so you'll be able to knock a couple of hundred quid off)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-FORD-MONDEO-1-8-ZETEC-PETROL-5-DOOR-HATCHBACK-GRAPHITE-/250971252157?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a6f0d65bd

s_b

still sounds like a high front bump/roll on to me where the damage is mainly to the bonnet
these were good cars
i would buy it back if i could if damage is bonnet aircon radiator and a scratched bumper for the reasons i outlined above

sillygirl73

Have been offered a settlement figure for £2000 and can buy the car back for £340........I tried to get more but he would not budge. Think its a pretty good offer actually? Am getting back to him tomorrow.
Spoke to assessor who looked at car, and he has said that parts alone (at his garage) would be £1300 plus £1000 for labour! New bonnet, bumper, headlights, grille, condenser. No wonder it was written off at those prices!
Insurers would want the car MOT'd again, VIC etc before they would insure again.
Undecided what to do........

colino

I really think that in this case, with you not doing the work yourself, you should try to jack up their offer and then take the money and run. Decent enough cars, but a 9 year old should be easily replaceable with £2k in your back pocket. Let the salvage go to trade and everyones happy.

sillygirl73

colino wrote: »

I really think that in this case, with you not doing the work yourself, you should try to jack up their offer and then take the money and run. Decent enough cars, but a 9 year old should be easily replaceable with £2k in your back pocket. Let the salvage go to trade and everyones happy.

I am beginning to agree......it would save us much les hassle in the long run. Not sure how I can get more out of the insurers........there are only 4 cars on autotrader with exact same spec, and they are all 54 plates (ours is 03) and range from £2300-2600. I quoted those and he said that a years difference is significant. He also pointed out that there was an identical car to ours, same age, mileage etc for £1400:eek:, but agreed that it must be a dodgy car!! The morning of the accident we had put £70 worth of petrol in it, could I be cheeky and ask for £2100 in light of that? Glass's guide values it at between £1800-2150 and CAP £1875-£2100, so it does seem like a sensible offer. How would you barter to get more off them?