How to tell if my car will be written off?

Nebbit

My car has a valid MOT till next summer and drives perfectly well. However it has a fault which would lead to definite MOT failure next time  - a big crack in the windscreen in front of the driver. This windscreen is not replaceable through the usual sources because the car is an import, never having been sold commercially in this country. The correct windscreen would have to be imported from Japan for approx £1500, and with labour, the total cost of replacement would be near £2000. The car is 15 years old and might be worth £4000  without this fault - a few are available on the market as whole cars, but none currently 'breaking for parts'. I fear that if I report the broken windscreen to the insurance company the car will be written off, hence I am reluctant to do so.  But how can I find out, without asking them? 

cymruchris

I once owned a Honda SM-X - something that's in this country in fairly low numbers as an import only model. Windscreens seem to come up regularly as an issue (as in someone says 'I can't get one') and then someone says 'I've got one'. Are you in Facebook specialist groups for your particular car? You may find that if you post every month or so - someone will say they have one. (just beware of scammers!).

You can't ask your insurance company without actually them recording it - so best not go down that route unless you intend to claim. The challenge will be when you fail the MOT - what will you do then if you haven't got your windscreen? Is it a daily driver?

I know on the SM-X the windscreens aren't that expensive!

Hoenir

In certain instances driving with a cracked windscreen can be deemed a motoring offence. Did your insurer provide you with windscreen cover? 

Nebbit

cymruchris said:

I The challenge will be when you fail the MOT - what will you do then if you haven't got your windscreen? Is it a daily driver?

it is a daily driver and the problem needs to resolved well before the MOT comes up again

cw8825

If you have glass cover contact the repairer and see what they suggest
it may be on them to source the correct glass and deal with the cost

Mildly_Miffed

They won't write a £4k car off for £1500 of glass.

Nor will fitting a windscreen cost £500 in labour...

Have you actually had several quotes around that figure from glass fitters (not the big national chains!), or is that price a guess?

Nebbit

Mildly_Miffed said:

Nor will fitting a windscreen cost £500 in labour... 
Have you actually had several quotes around that figure from glass fitters (not the big national chains!), or is that price a guess?

I have had quotes and the fitting is in fact approx £220, however the costs of importing the glass from Japan are variable because it is all priced in dollars and so depends on exchange rate at the time. I think the whole thing will cost between £1700-£2000

Mildly_Miffed

Nebbit said:

Mildly_Miffed said:

Nor will fitting a windscreen cost £500 in labour... 
Have you actually had several quotes around that figure from glass fitters (not the big national chains!), or is that price a guess?

I have had quotes and the fitting is in fact approx £220, however the costs of importing the glass from Japan are variable because it is all priced in dollars and so depends on exchange rate at the time. I think the whole thing will cost between £1700-£2000

Surely the purchase price in Japan will be in yen...

But exchange rates fluctuate, sure, within a fairly narrow rate...

Looks a huge fluctuation, right? Then you notice that the vast majority of the scale is omitted - it's actually gone between 185 and 195 - 10yen over nearly 200, so about a 2.5% range either side of a fairly static central point. Work on 190yen, and you won't be far off.

Transport costs will vary, obvs, and may well be in USD - but again, it's not going to be a huge range.

Ignore your insurer's 'screen cover (that's tied closely to the big national chains, who are useless and expensive at the best of times), and talk to a specialist JDM parts importer and a local independent glass fitter. Sure, it may take a while for the 'screen to arrive in the next container for that importer. But that's the perils of driving something niche...

How bad is the screen right now? Just an MOT fail, or actually unroadworthy?

Nebbit

How bad is the screen right now? Just an MOT fail, or actually unroadworthy?

Here is a picture. 

Arunmor

Wheeler Dealers had a different windscreen with correct curvature cut to size.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0UfTq5gMG0&ab_channel=WheelerDealers

Nebbit

I wish the complex curve of my screen was as easy to easy to replicate with another car as the Saab 96's is in this video. Interesting though