Write-off advice, please…

[RickZ4]

So… I had a big argument with a fox which I have claimed on my insurance for. Basically, a smashed foglight and torn bumper which has now been assessed and they have decided it’s cheaper to write-off Cat N (non-structural) and give me £3,300. Alternatively, I can keep it and they will give me £2,300.

The assessment was based on it requiring a new bumper, foglight, wheel arch liner (torn at one mounting point) and front plastic under-tray (probably further damaged while driving though a lake on the A30). It probably also includes a new headlight which had misted up - the headlight access panel in the wheel arch was dislodged and I drove on the A30 dual carriageway through torrential rain which would have given it a good soaking :driving: so is probably salvageable once dried out and the wheel arch is watertight.

I have neither the tools, time or inclination to repair it myself…

The bumper has a 3-4 inch tear starting from the corner of the foglight but is otherwise ok.

I’m based in West Dorset. The car has 130k miles and is in good condition otherwise. It’s basic Sport spec including heated seats and PDC - black with red leather.

What would you do. Does anyone have an idea what this might cost if I get it repaired ‘cheaply’ and where?

 

[paddy wright]

Keep it! You can replace the bumper and fog for a couple of hundred pounds and be sat in a zed that owes you nothing with a pot of money to cover any future maintenance!

 

[inkey$]

Keep it! You can replace the bumper and fog for a couple of hundred pounds and be sat in a zed that owes you nothing with a pot of money to cover any future maintenance!

^ this

 

[Zedebee]

Or you can offer it up to the forum as a project car to someone who has the time and inclination to repair it, and buy a new one with what you get for it plus the insurance money. Everyone is a winner (except your insurance record).

 

[paddy wright]

If you still love the car then fixing is the only option- you’ve had it a long time and most of its miles are yours! Just to remind you how good it will look when it’s fixed

 

[Pondrew]

Or you can offer it up to the forum as a project car to someone who has the time and inclination to repair it, and buy a new one with what you get for it plus the insurance money. Everyone is a winner (except your insurance record).

That, from the OP's opening post, sounds like a very good idea.

 

[raymond.harper]

Would you buy a Cat D car? Probably not so take the money and buy another one.

 

[inkey$]

I’d happily buy the right Cat N car (as opposed to Cat S) if the recorded damage was logged and photographed and done up to a good standard. This way the OP gets his car back for £1000 and £2300 to do it up and maintain for quite a while.

Option B is try and find a decent car for £3300.

 

[Special Kay]

Keep it! You can replace the bumper and fog for a couple of hundred pounds and be sat in a zed that owes you nothing with a pot of money to cover any future maintenance!

+1

 

[Mr Tidy]

If you can find a bodyshop that will fit used parts you ought to be quids in taking £2,300 and keeping it. It just depends how much of an attachment you have to the car, and whether running a Cat N would bother you as it's always going to affect the price when you do come to sell.

 

[inkey$]

If you cant deal with the Cat N status, then I’ll buy it off you for £1000.

 

[Special Kay]

I think everyone on here would jump at the chance to buy it at that price. A truly wonderful car. Good luck whatever you decide to do

 

[RickZ4]

If you still love the car then fixing is the only option- you’ve had it a long time and most of its miles are yours! Just to remind you how good it will look when it’s fixed 73F1BFED-AE00-4F2F-9E0A-CD11711C64F4.png

They certainly do remind me of how good it looked when I bought it.
Forgot I’d posted them on here.

 

[RickZ4]

Thank you all for your considered opinions which have helped me way up the 2 options I’ll probably go with the general consensus and get it repaired. Cat N I can live with…

Just need to find a suitable body shop in Dorset.

 

[Special Kay]

fantastic news, very wise decision

 

[nick_l]

I bought back and repaired a previous zed after someone ran a red light and hit me.

I was paid out close to what I paid for the car, bought it back for about £600 and fixed it myself over the next 2 weeks. It needed new bumper, drivers side front wing and headlight. All in all I think I paid about £600 in parts for the repairs.

If you document the damage and repairs most buyers (if you sell later) won’t be too bothered about it.

Oh, and because I changed the headlights to the 2xcite ones I sold the near side original for £150 so made some money back.


This was the damage from mine.

 

[inkey$]

IMO a good decision, Rick. There are lots of people on here that I’m sure can assist you with parts, advice and even local physical help if needed.

 

[paddy wright]

Thank you all for your considered opinions which have helped me way up the 2 options I’ll probably go with the general consensus and get it repaired. Cat N I can live with…

Just need to find a suitable body shop in Dorset.

From the sounds of the damage this is an easy DIY fix

 

[enuff_zed]

Thank you all for your considered opinions which have helped me way up the 2 options I’ll probably go with the general consensus and get it repaired. Cat N I can live with…

Just need to find a suitable body shop in Dorset.

From the sounds of the damage this is an easy DIY fix

It does sound mostly nut and bolt work tbh.
Pretty sure that you'll be able to source most of what you need through people on here, and chances are if they know why they won't hike their prices.

Once you've decided, make yourself a list of bits you need, then start a rebuild thread.
For example, if I were in two minds about whether to pick up a particular car for spares, it would possibly sway me if I knew you needed some of the parts.

 

[Zedebee]

I agree for many on this forum it would be an easy fix, however:

I have neither the tools, time or inclination to repair it myself…