Car write off??

Raymundo2387

Hi everyone,

I was involved in a three car accident (not my fault), where the front of my Volkswagen Scirocco 2009 has buckled (just drivable to get off the single road, but coolant leaked and a lot flashing computer lights screamed at me). Green flag took the car away to the garage (he mentioned at the time it would be 50/50 to be a write off) and I'm wondering if this incident will actually make it a write off? (70,000 miles to date).

I kinda hope (although I love this car) it is, so I can get a new one and the cost to repair will likely be a substantial amount, but I don't know if it will be considered a write off as it's a fairly decent/pricey car.

Any help or advice is greatly welcome from anyone.

Thanks,
Leroy

Foxy-Stoat_3

Noone can answer this without knowing the approximate pre accident value and the cost of the repairs.

Has an engineer looked at this yet?

If it was just the front of your car that was damaged, how can this be not your fault?

Raymundo2387

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

Noone can answer this without knowing the approximate pre accident value and the cost of the repairs.

Has an engineer looked at this yet?

If it was just the front of your car that was damaged, how can this be not your fault?

I appreciate that, I just wanted to hear other peoples experiences with their cars being written off and if I could understand this some more. The engineer has not as of yet.

In most cases I would agree with you, but in this instance it was a different situation. Essentially the first car in a line of three all moving together (not bumper to bumper but along a high street road of sorts), the first car came to a full stop behind another car that was turning right into a side street, the car in front of me (New Honda Civic) did not see this or in fact brake in time and hit the first car from behind at 15mph, myself going at 20mph saw/heard this and did an emergency stop, but could not stop in time.

The above probably sounds stupid and you may or may not agree with me, but no one was hurt or laid blame on anyone. Just a couple of battered cars.

Foxy-Stoat_3

Question of blame is irrelevant, just pointing out that you are partially/fully to blame for the damage to your car.

As for indicating if the car is a write off or not, in a 20 mph accident, I very much doubt that it will be, but as noone will be able to know how much the repair estimate will be, its a guess.

DUTR

Raymundo2387 wrote: »

I appreciate that, I just wanted to hear other peoples experiences with their cars being written off and if I could understand this some more. The engineer has not as of yet.

In most cases I would agree with you, but in this instance it was a different situation. Essentially the first car in a line of three all moving together, the first car came to a full stop behind another car that was turning right into a side street, the car in front of me (New Honda Civic) did not see this or in fact brake in time and hit the first car from behind at 15mph, myself going at 20mph saw/heard this and did an emergency stop, but could not stop in time.

The above probably sounds stupid and you may or may not agree with me, but no one was hurt or laid blame on anyone. Just a couple of battered cars.

There was a bit of a debate on another thread, from what you describe, you at the rear will take the claim.
As for beyond economical repair? It's often 50% of the street value, tbh I wouldn't want a vehicle that has had front end damage back.

mcjordi

you hit the rear of the civic? then unless you were pushed into it its your fault

ive seen these at circa 10/11k on an 09.. so if damage is around 5k or more chances are write off

macman

Never heard of minimum safe stopping distance? No matter how quickly he stops, you need to be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Spicy_McHaggis

Raymundo2387 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I was involved in a three car accident (not my fault), where the front of my Volkswagen Scirocco 2009 has buckled (just drivable to get off the single road, but coolant leaked and a lot flashing computer lights screamed at me). Green flag took the car away to the garage (he mentioned at the time it would be 50/50 to be a write off) and I'm wondering if this incident will actually make it a write off? (70,000 miles to date).

I kinda hope (although I love this car) it is, so I can get a new one and the cost to repair will likely be a substantial amount, but I don't know if it will be considered a write off as it's a fairly decent/pricey car.

Any help or advice is greatly welcome from anyone.

Thanks,
Leroy

Whilst you didn't cause it you're certainly liable and it will be your policy paying out.

Foxy-Stoat_3

If you could not stop driving 20 mph you must of been so close to the car in front, unless your head was pointing down, texting someone on your phone....

If a 20 mph whack has caused more than £5K worth of damage to a VW, I'll buy and hat, then eat it.

The air bags wouldn't of deployed at that speed, so that has probably saved £2-3K on the repair bill right there.

AdrianC

You drove into a stationary vehicle. End of.

As for "write-off or not" - it very much depends. If it's borderline, then things like parts availability delays and hire car costs will make a difference.

Here's a more recent and much lower-mileage Scirocco that's Cat C for relatively minor damage.
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/18195255

Astronaughtwannabe

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

If you could not stop driving 20 mph you must of been so close to the car in front, unless your head was pointing down, texting someone on your phone....

If a 20 mph whack has caused more than £5K worth of damage to a VW, I'll buy and hat, then eat it.

The air bags wouldn't of deployed at that speed, so that has probably saved £2-3K on the repair bill right there.

20mph is ample to cause £5k and airbags can deploy at <20mph in the right circumstances.


Hat ready?