R9UKE's French Car Blog...

[CitroJim]

Anyone got a nice set of original Renault wheel trims lying around for my latest?

Looks like you may need more than just wheel trims if all you have is the instrument pod Luke...

[R9UKE]

Ah... wrong photo!



Well. Had a lovely surprise this morning. Seems one of the neighbours disagreed with the way Renault decided to style the Mégane and thought she'd have a go at restyling it.







Has anybody else had any experience of something like this happening. She's putting it on her insurance but I'd just like some idea of the nightmare of quotes, paperwork and phone calls that await?

[Xaccers]

Find two local body shops that provide courtesy cars, get quotes so you're ready to provide them (make copies) when they're asked for.
Assuming it can be repaired her insurance company will either suggest their own body shop, accept one of yours, or offer you cash to get it repaired (normally less than the quotes you got as they'll say they shouldn't pay VAT).
It's up to you to decide what to accept, you do not have to go with their body shop if you don't want to.
You're also entitled to have a replacement vehicle while yours is off the road so you aren't inconvenienced, so if you can't find a body shop with a courtesy car, get her insurance company to rent you a vehicle.

[CitroJim]

Oh Luke, what a shame

How on earth did that happen on your driveway? Was it really icy or did she just have her head full of non-driving stuff?

Hope it can be fixed as good as new

[R9UKE]

Xac, thank you, now I know what sort of procedure to expect.

I know Jim, I very nearly did cry! The bodywork on that car was perfect and always has been. It was actually parked in the street overnight, my Clio would normally be sitting where it was, in which case I wouldn't have been displeased in the slightest... just my luck!

I think reality has hit home, I'm looking at renting some land off a friend, just outside of Belfast, where I can put some cars and not worry about them.

[red_dwarfers]

At least you're not physically hurt, its clear cut, she's fessed up and willing to put it right

Careful about the renting land thing, especially if its cash in hand. A few possibly obvious things to think about, you could inadvertently fall out with the owner even if you are the nicest most compromisable person on the planet and so are they. A few years down the line when you've got a few cars stashed away (notice the word when, if man have space, man will fill ) and they suddenly need to sell the land or use it for something else. Also not forgetting physical security.

[robert_e_smart]

Thats a bugger! I think Luke's storage "agent" will be 100% Kosher. Typical though, the best car about the place gets hit.

[KP]

I reckon they will class it as a write off as the Insurance co will send out their own assessor, just make sure you are there when he/she is to assess and don't let them go without telling you everything they are writing down so you can be ready...

As above get the quotes including courtesy car of similar stature so you aren't at loss

Also if they have reported it and they are contacting you it saves you some hassle but don't bother letting your ins co know until its sorted out

If you struggle with space to store cars I may know of somewhere with a mechanic on site who doesn't mind extra work its a wee bit far from belfast though (20mins)

If you ever get serious about any motorhogs let me know as i can pop over and give them a quick check over for you and they probably have the parts to fix it in stock as well so it could drive away with the bits in the boot LOL

[pug_owner2002]

That's a shame Luke. We had a similar thing with my dads car over Christmas. I got 2 quotes (one was nearly £900 and the other was just over £250 at a smart repair place).
I gave the neighbour the choice of cash or insurance, they went the cash route. I found this better as neither of us had the hassle of the insurance companies.
One thing to mention, before taking the car to be assessed by the insurance make sure everything is spot on with the car (as I suspect it is). As every time mines been in they've gone over it (checked tyre tread, tax etc) prior to assessing it.

[R9UKE]

A write-off? Really? I honestly don't know what I'd do without Meggy... severely hope this isn't the case!
Yes, freshly taxed, washed and enjoying it's first few days out of hibernation, it was going great!

KP - Thanks for that, I can definitely see it happening at some point when a gem turns up, good to know you're there to help

In other news, looks like I'll be scrapping the S70 this week. Not a great ending. I bought it for £250 at the start of January with a months tax and test. Certainly got my moneys worth out of the car, and had anticipated sending it over the bridge (for £220 at current rates). Thing is, it was a much better car than expected, and I put it through MOT expecting it to pass. It failed, needing two suspension arms at the front. So, with a full ticket, it will owe me £470... which I can't see it making on the market. Anybody need any parts!?

[KP]

Has it got leather and decent radio and tyres/alloys??

If so strip them off when you weigh it in and just put them up on gumtree for say £75 per set and they should soon shift and if not eBay them

Yeah I'd say right off as labour stripping it all down, window out panel cut out, new panel cut to size, welded in, welds smoothed down then all the normal paint prep on that corner and the rear and drivers door a bit to blend it in. That's the proper way to do it. You could do smart repair way but depends how good they are(pity your a wee bit far from xantiaman )

When you get a quote see if you can find someone who would do a cash in hand job as if they do write it off I'd buy it back and fix it up with the payout which should be top dollar for that age of megane

[Citroenmad]

I hope its not a write off Luke however its not the easiest thing to repair on the rear quarter.

When our C5 estate got smashed into the side (worse than yours), for the amount of damage I was staggered at the price. The overall cost of the total repair was £5000, this included the cost of a hire car ... keep that in mind! Our estate was realistically worth £4500 and should have been written off due to the costs, however the garage doing it tried to put the car forward for top value due to its condition and the assessor went with it, luckily. Its one thing writing off your own car but having someone else do it is even worse. Im sure it wont come to that.

On the renting land thing, a good few cars have went 'missing' when stored. Either stolen or nicked by scrap merchants to weigh in. Its one reason ive not looked for anywhere to store our cars, as I like having them here and being able to see them. Andrew (andmcit) has had a good few cars go missing iirc.

[R9UKE]

Well it's being sorted through the insurers. They are to get in touch with me tomorrow to sort out a courtesy car etc. Told them I don't want it as it will no doubt be some Korean diesel, and I'm perfectly fine with my Scénic for the time being. They seem to be adamant that I'm having it though.

The S70 is officially being broken. Already had plenty of requests for parts and it seems the best road to go down. A shame for the car - Had it out today to really see what that 2.5 can do. Lovely noise of it and it pulls beautifully. Ah well.

Yes Chris I was worried about that too. It's a locked yard over which the owners house looks on to. He has numerous Lagunas and Renault 25s in there so whatever is in there will have good company.

[CitroJim]

Fingers crossed for good news on the first part Luke

And on the second, a big dog is good to have in a place like that..

Or, can't you and Robert work out something together for car storage?

[Citroenmad]

No car drives like a Hire car Luke, hopefully its nothing too painfully dull

Shame about the 2.5 S70 though, you can't keep them all so its understandable.

Good luck with the insurance assessment