HELP! Looking for a garage after an accident

[Deadpool]

Hi all,

My zed was parked when hit by a third party who had a tyre blow out. Can anyone recommend any reputable garages near the Potters Bar area that can provide a quote and carry out repairs?

Damage is to the rear driver side wheel, rear fender and bumper. The wheel has buckled into the vehicle. I don't want the zed to be a write off which will most likely be the case if I proceed matters with the insurers garage of choice

 

[mmm-five]

Sorry, can't help with any recommendations in your area, but I really feel for your predicament.

You may still want to go through insurance and if there is potential for write-off, ask about getting cash in lieu of repairs and then repair it yourself.

If the wheel has buckled like that from a sideswipe, then you really need to check out the rear trailing arm and diff, as both of mine were damaged (trailing arm was bent and the half-shaft transmitted impact to the diff splines).

Unfortunately most places won't spot any diff damage - and you'll only notice it when you start driving again.

Total bill for mine (damage to front driver's side wing & door too), including the eventual diff replacement, was £13k - ex VAT. If the diff issue had come up earlier it would definitely have been written off - but the estimate was more like £9k+vat, so it was on the cusp and decision left to me.

With the ongoing issues I've had with the shoddy repair (the diff mostly, but also the relocation of brake pad sensors to inside body panels, and my never previously notchy gearchange becoming notchy), I wish I'd got it written off instead.

This is how mine looked...

 

[Thrustyjust]

I suspect sadly it may get written off. The impact has snapped the rear arm, obviously but might had damaged the subframe and driveshaft etc also. It would be a good car to do up and get back on the road and could well be worth buying back and repairing . Most insurance companies will look at an overall picture and not just what is visible. They dont strip cars down to inspect but I hope you can get it repaired by them, but not all is lost if it is written off and you buy it back to repair. Looks a great car and can be made great again

 

[skelters]

I had similar damage on a 316 coupe after being hit by a hit and run driver. That car was worth £8500 at the time and was written off. Yours is probably what £3500 - £4500 car?

Sorry to say it's probably a write off. :thumbsdown:

Look on the bright side though. Now you can upgrade to a bigger engine just in time for spring!

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

Sadly I'd agree that it's going to get written off. Visibly it's quite a bill in relation to the value of the car and the insurer will be well aware of the potential for hidden damage to escalate the price further. I'd get a head start and swap out any mods of value you may have added, as the insurer is highly unlikely to allow for these in its valuation offer. I'd think buying it back is probably only going to work if you/a mate have the necessary skills/facilities to do a large proportion of the work, using 2nd hand bits where possible. Paying labour to a garage is likely to only be worthwhile if you really want to keep that car 'at any price'.
Really feel gutted for you.

 

[Jl-c]

Sadly I'd agree that it's going to get written off. Visibly it's quite a bill in relation to the value of the car and the insurer will be well aware of the potential for hidden damage to escalate the price further. I'd get a head start and swap out any mods of value you may have added, as the insurer is highly unlikely to allow for these in its valuation offer. I'd think buying it back is probably only going to work if you/a mate have the necessary skills/facilities to do a large proportion of the work, using 2nd hand bits where possible. Paying labour to a garage is likely to only be worthwhile if you really want to keep that car 'at any price'.
Really feel gutted for you.

Couldn't have put it better, totally agree. Have you got spanner skills and a place to do it in? Could be a satisfying project to do if so.