Car written off but I chose to keep it

sumvision2027

Hey guys, my car was written off and I got to save it from salvage (car has value to me) question is, where do I even begin? Yes I've probably bitten off more than I can chew and just entered a money Pitt but regardless.. My plan is to the body panel (front bumper and bonnet) from a breakers yard but the chassis, specifically where the front tow hole is, looks dented in. Do I call out a specific mechanic to check and fix or am I best to just drop off at a local garage? This is definitely a learning curve for me but I'm excited to get started. Insurance isn't getting involved in the repairs as I only have third party. 

Flight3287462

You need to take it to a body shop (or get them to come to you).  It may need jigged which can be expensive.  You really need someone who has the correct kit to do the job for you.

motorguy

Personally i would check with your local body shops.  Tell them you want to keep the cost down and are happy to source and supply second hand parts to do that.

Most of the smaller ones will be amenable to that.

If they can see the car, they will tell you what parts you will need to source, over and above the obvious ones.  

I wouldnt just start trying to fix it yourself without checking chassis alignment / crumple zone impacts etc.

I've done it before on occasions.

sumvision2027

Thank you for the replies, if I can get someone from a body shop to come out and view the car that would be great. I don't mind swapping the body panels out myself as long as I can get the chassis fixed. If the front bar has been bent, how much am I looking at to straighten out? 

angrycrow

You don't tell us what car it is but most modern cars have a collapsible crash bar at the front that includes the towing eye mounting. These are attached with a few bolts. It will be much easier to see what is going on with the bumper removed. 

The crash bar bolts to the end of the chassis legs and is sacrificial to reduce chassis damage. 

Is there any damage to the lights or the slam panel/radiator support. 

Post up some photos of the damage and we may be able to give better advice. 

Flight3287462

Is it bolt on?  Just replace and get the legs straightened.

sumvision2027

Best image I have atm 2007 honda civic type r

clive0510

it was written of for a reason. ie beyond economical repair. so if you repair it and you going to drive it on the public highway, you need to tell your insurance company. thats if they will insure it. also you need to inform dvla at swindon. they will have de regeristed it, so it will need to be re registered. also before you do that it will need to go on a jig for inspection, and also have 4 wheel alingment check. other than that I don't for see a problem.

sumvision2027

clive0510 said:

it was written of for a reason. ie beyond economical repair. so if you repair it and you going to drive it on the public highway, you need to tell your insurance company. thats if they will insure it. also you need to inform dvla at swindon. they will have de regeristed it, so it will need to be re registered. also before you do that it will need to go on a jig for inspection, and also have 4 wheel alingment check. other than that I don't for see a problem.

will be making sure the right people know and going through the proper channels. 

angrycrow

That's taken a fair whack. At very least you are looking at second hand
Bonnet
Os wing
Os wheel arch trims
Front bumper
Front grill 
Number plate
Crash bar
Os headlight
Slam panel
Various fixings

Possibly it will also need 
Aircon condenser
Radiator
Radiator support panel
Os fog light 
Ns headlight

I would also be suspicious of the Os chassis leg given the off centre impact. 

You won't know the full extent until the bumper comes off.

Are the two parralell lines on the screen a reflection or a crack. If the screen cracked on impact the shell is twisted and the car is only good for scrapping. 

On the plus point most type Rs are black so it should be possible to get a colour match. Unfortunately the type R parts command a premium at breakers yard. 

Flight3287462

Parts and labour that was ~£900 to fix this Monte Carlo last year, which my daughter learnt to drive and passed her test in.  Parts were ~£450 and the same for labour (mates rates).

Your wing and bonnet are possibly repairable  ifd you are struggling for parts.  If you can find body pamels the same colour that is a real win.