Low cost body repair for a car declarerd as a total loss?

forgotmyname

Quentin wrote: »

Why? OP is not claiming off his own insurer.

His settlement includes him keeping the car.

It didnt seem to be clear whether that was the case or not. OP didnt seem certain either way.

Quentin

forgotmyname wrote: »

It didnt seem to be clear whether that was the case or not. OP didnt seem certain either way.

You may have missed this:

Stanley_St wrote: »

My information is from an accident management company and they are dealing with the third party insurer rather than with my insurance company,,,,,,,They have indicated a salvage value for the car, and have authorised a cheque for the value of my car less the salvage value.......

forgotmyname

No... oops. In my defence i have not picked my glasses up from the opticians yet

I re-read the OP's posts before my last one to see if i missed something and still didnt spot that.

Stanley_St

Thanks for clarifying my meaning while I was away from the forum. Yes, arrangements will be with the third party insurer.

It would be a bit hard on me for an insurance company to claim ownership of my car, just because their client damaged it.

I have not agreed a settlement, though I am told that the insurance company has mailed me a cheque (not so far received). The sum I am told does not include the salvage value for the car (not a large sum), and I am assuming that it is mine still.

What concerns me is that the insurance company has declared my car a total loss, when there seems to be the possibility of me being able to repair the car with the sum they are offering in settlement. So even if the car is restored to its previous state, there is a big drop in re-sale value associated with it having been a write off

That also doesn't seem right to me.

I also have the expense of having to put the car through an MOT (and VIC check?) before the car goes back on the road.

Stanley_St

patman99 wrote: »

You still haven't answered the question regarding make/model of the car.
If the chassis is undamaged, then you could replace the front grill yourself easily enough. Same with front bumper.

Yes, I tried not to give too much information, thinking it best to be anonymous while things are still in play. That said I expect BMW 3 series are in crashes every day of the week! The garage is checking for damage to the chassis, but I haven't heard back yet.

colino

As well as expensive body, radiator, fan and a/c at risk, not unknown for the wing damage on a 3 series being due to the crumple zone, including the inner wings, pulling the outer wings, in and down. Needs careful, professional assessment, but the best news is that a lot of people want them, damaged or not, so if you get to keep the hulk for a very low price, perhaps better to sell on as is and move on to your next, straight car.

Stanley_St

colino wrote: »

As well as expensive body, radiator, fan and a/c at risk, not unknown for the wing damage on a 3 series being due to the crumple zone, including the inner wings, pulling the outer wings, in and down. Needs careful, professional assessment, but the best news is that a lot of people want them, damaged or not, so if you get to keep the hulk for a very low price, perhaps better to sell on as is and move on to your next, straight car.

That is useful information, and the bit about the wings does make sense from the damage on one of the wheel arches. I shall need to get good advice before deciding on repairs. Without seeing it, the local body repairer I phoned was interested in buying the hulk (without seeing it) if I didn't repair it, so that fits with what you write as well.

londonTiger

ilikewatch wrote: »

Which panels are damaged? If they're bolt-on panels and there's no damage to the rest of the cars structure then you might be able to get panels the same paint code from a breakers and get the job done for peanuts.

I managed to replace 2 doors and the front wing on my car with perfectly matched replacements for £80 and 3 hours labour :-)

Yeah this is a great option. I had ugly black trim on my car spray painting them would csot £250+ for doors, handles, anmd two bumper trims.

Other owners were spray painting them using halfords paint (which ineivtable peels off few years down the road.

I bought these trim pieces from breakers for no more than £50 - original factory painted parts that matched the car perfectly.

Breakers should be your best choice. Practically all panels are bolt on apart from the C pillar/rear wings and roof which are welded (on most cars)

Rodney_Trotter

londonTiger wrote: »

Yeah this is a great option. I had ugly black trim on my car spray painting them would csot £250+ for doors, handles, anmd two bumper trims.

Other owners were spray painting them using halfords paint (which ineivtable peels off few years down the road.

I bought these trim pieces from breakers for no more than £50 - original factory painted parts that matched the car perfectly.

Breakers should be your best choice. Practically all panels are bolt on apart from the C pillar/rear wings and roof which are welded (on most cars)

I don't think any cars have bolt on c pillars.