Do I write off the Cerbie or repair it?
Discussion
""As the car is being repaired (and is not a write off) it will not appear on any crash damaged register""
Not wishing to be a misery or doubt you but are you sure thiss is correct ? Isnt this what the different classifications are for i.e. cat d (which I think is stolen and recovered but I am probably wrong)
The other thing is that as this must be such a borderline case between write off and rebuild surely as the car has had so many upgrades iss the new prespective owner not going to call the factory to check out what has been done I know I would and did !!!
Only to be told about one of the cars that I was looking to buy from a specialist factory quote " Oh yeah I remember that one, it was the one that only ever stood on 3 wheels !!!!!!"
Sorry for sounding so negative its just such an emotive subject money and cars !!!!
Not wishing to be a misery or doubt you but are you sure thiss is correct ? Isnt this what the different classifications are for i.e. cat d (which I think is stolen and recovered but I am probably wrong)
The other thing is that as this must be such a borderline case between write off and rebuild surely as the car has had so many upgrades iss the new prespective owner not going to call the factory to check out what has been done I know I would and did !!!
Only to be told about one of the cars that I was looking to buy from a specialist factory quote " Oh yeah I remember that one, it was the one that only ever stood on 3 wheels !!!!!!"
Sorry for sounding so negative its just such an emotive subject money and cars !!!!
The damage will only be registered if the car is surrendered to the insurance company. If they elect to have the car repaired then you are not under any obligation to tell the purchaser anything. As others have said the 'upgraded by TVR to 2003 spec' advertising approach has rather more merit than 'I crashed it, but it's alright now' ! Both are, of course, true.
This is good news bandit especially if your insurers will cough the extra grand. One thing to be mindful of though, TVR themselves will record the accident and details regarding it’s repair. If someone then asks customer services for a chassis/car check like so many of us do it will come up as an accident repaired car…. just a thought.
Sounds like you’re going to get the beastie back in time for spring – lovely
Paul
Sounds like you’re going to get the beastie back in time for spring – lovely
Paul
phib said: ""As the car is being repaired (and is not a write off) it will not appear on any crash damaged register""
Not wishing to be a misery or doubt you but are you sure thiss is correct ? Isnt this what the different classifications are for i.e. cat d (which I think is stolen and recovered but I am probably wrong)
The other thing is that as this must be such a borderline case between write off and rebuild surely as the car has had so many upgrades iss the new prespective owner not going to call the factory to check out what has been done I know I would and did !!!
Only to be told about one of the cars that I was looking to buy from a specialist factory quote " Oh yeah I remember that one, it was the one that only ever stood on 3 wheels !!!!!!"
Sorry for sounding so negative its just such an emotive subject money and cars !!!!
Thats alright phib, I was thinking along the same lines as you.
I spoke to the insurance company and asked them specifically, "Will my car appear on any crash register, you know cat C, cat D etc" . They said "no, so long as it is repaired and the work inspected then it will not have any record of damage recorded against it"
My main concern was that someone would do a search on the car and find a CAT D repair recorded against it....and I wouldn't have bought it either if I'd found this.
So long as I'm upfront about it having been in an accident but being repaired and produce the factory report they promised me, then I hope it won't put people of even a fraction as much as if a CAT D was recorded against it. I'm sure the crash won't do me any favours, but its not as bad as I thought it would be.
In reality the car will probably be better than ever, but I understand that people will be concerned about it being in an accident.
As to the work that gets done, the factory will give a 1 year warranty on the work they've done. If my car so much as squeeks, then as it has been rebuilt from scratch, I guess the factory will take repsonsibility to correct the issue.
I'm not 100% I've made the right decision, but I had to make my mind up one way or the other.
Thanks again everyone for your input !
Lets hope they get me back on the road again soon. I think I'm going to blow the Vauxhall Corsa up if I drive it any longer, I keep thinking its not in gear.....but its just cr*p ! 
>> Edited by bandit on Monday 27th January 16:05
Bandit
I think you have made the right choice, there is a great big emotional barrier between 'big smash but sorted' and 'it was written off but it is ok now'. I think you'll end up with a much better car for your cash. Just make sure that anything which is slightly odd about it when you get it back is sorted.
Good luck
D.
Ps the best way to make a TVR go really fast is to get stuck with another car for a few weeks, after the corsa yours really will fly.
I think you have made the right choice, there is a great big emotional barrier between 'big smash but sorted' and 'it was written off but it is ok now'. I think you'll end up with a much better car for your cash. Just make sure that anything which is slightly odd about it when you get it back is sorted.
Good luck
D.
Ps the best way to make a TVR go really fast is to get stuck with another car for a few weeks, after the corsa yours really will fly.
If you are thinking about changing the car at some point take the cash as its more than you would otherwise get. Besides you are probably not going to feel comfortable when you get asked about crash damage and have to look the guy between the eyes and lie.
Despite the fact the repair is likely to be very good if its going back to the factory, most people would not buy a car which has been totally rebuilt after a smash - and the factory keep records.
Alternatively if you love the car and want to keep it then why not go for the full rebuild. I would just get confirmation from the insurance company that you will get some form of warranty (12 months?) with the rebuilt car, such is the scale of the rebuild task.
bennno
Negociate a payout from the insurance company less the salvage value of the car
Repair the car with someone who knows TVR's from top to bottom
Thus you will be able to get a well repaired Cerbie and a very good price and net will have made some money from the payout.
At the end of the day if it is cat D as long as inspected you will be able to sell it (obviously it will be at a discounted price normal cerbie's)
Repair the car with someone who knows TVR's from top to bottom
Thus you will be able to get a well repaired Cerbie and a very good price and net will have made some money from the payout.
At the end of the day if it is cat D as long as inspected you will be able to sell it (obviously it will be at a discounted price normal cerbie's)
barneyH said: Negociate a payout from the insurance company less the salvage value of the car
Repair the car with someone who knows TVR's from top to bottom
Thus you will be able to get a well repaired Cerbie and a very good price and net will have made some money from the payout.
At the end of the day if it is cat D as long as inspected you will be able to sell it (obviously it will be at a discounted price normal cerbie's)
thats flawed logic as the repair is 18,500, the insurance company only want to pay that much (due to the value of the scrap) and as a Cat D write off the car wont be worth 13K
if it needs a whole new chassis then the factory is the only route to follow
That would potentially be the worst solution in this scenario.
Bennno
>> Edited by bennno on Wednesday 29th January 08:10
I think I've made the right decision.
The car is getting repaired and there will be no HPI record / category of crash recorded against the car (no more so than if I'd dented a door panel).
The car I'm getting back SHOULD be a lot better than how it went. So, other than the inconvenience of losing my car for 10 weeks I'm certainly no worse off than I was before the accident.
If I do come to sell the car I will be honest about the accident, hopefully the new potential owner will take heart from the fact that there is no damage record on the car.
As for taking the money.... thats been the biggest choice. I'd never get 25k for the car in a private sale (maybe 22.5k if I was lucky). If I did take the money then I would be able to buy maybe a 2000 Cerbera model, a year younger than mine.... but the chances are that my car will come back in better shape than a 2000 model anyway.
And as someone said on this thread, I know its kinda sad, but I think you do get attached to your TVR.... I can't see her torn up for parts can I !
The car is getting repaired and there will be no HPI record / category of crash recorded against the car (no more so than if I'd dented a door panel).
The car I'm getting back SHOULD be a lot better than how it went. So, other than the inconvenience of losing my car for 10 weeks I'm certainly no worse off than I was before the accident.
If I do come to sell the car I will be honest about the accident, hopefully the new potential owner will take heart from the fact that there is no damage record on the car.
As for taking the money.... thats been the biggest choice. I'd never get 25k for the car in a private sale (maybe 22.5k if I was lucky). If I did take the money then I would be able to buy maybe a 2000 Cerbera model, a year younger than mine.... but the chances are that my car will come back in better shape than a 2000 model anyway.
And as someone said on this thread, I know its kinda sad, but I think you do get attached to your TVR.... I can't see her torn up for parts can I !
I have to say that I am a little dubious about what you have been told by your insurers. I had a very minor repair done to the front of my Griff, and that showed up on the HPi search done by the guy who bought it off me.
In terms of not telling a potential buyer, whilst you do not have to offer the information, if you are asked the question whether the car has been in an accident and you say no, then that is a fraudulent misrepresentation and could invalidate any subsequent sale. You could also arguably be guilty of a criminal offence of obtaining monies and/or a pecuniary advantage by deception.
Any buyer worth their salt gets the chassis number and calls the factory anyway to ask what they know about the car. They have service records (if it's done at a dealer) and will certainly tell any enquirer about the fact that they have done a tyres up rebuild of the whole thing at a cost of £18k.
If you really liked the car, then get it rebuit, but don't get carried away with future re-sale values or the like. You will get rumbled if you try to hide it's chequered past. Then what happens?
Take the money, and buy a Griff!!!
In terms of not telling a potential buyer, whilst you do not have to offer the information, if you are asked the question whether the car has been in an accident and you say no, then that is a fraudulent misrepresentation and could invalidate any subsequent sale. You could also arguably be guilty of a criminal offence of obtaining monies and/or a pecuniary advantage by deception.
Any buyer worth their salt gets the chassis number and calls the factory anyway to ask what they know about the car. They have service records (if it's done at a dealer) and will certainly tell any enquirer about the fact that they have done a tyres up rebuild of the whole thing at a cost of £18k.
If you really liked the car, then get it rebuit, but don't get carried away with future re-sale values or the like. You will get rumbled if you try to hide it's chequered past. Then what happens?
Take the money, and buy a Griff!!!
NICE EH said:
In terms of not telling a potential buyer, whilst you do not have to offer the information, if you are asked the question whether the car has been in an accident and you say no, then that is a fraudulent misrepresentation and could invalidate any subsequent sale. You could also arguably be guilty of a criminal offence of obtaining monies and/or a pecuniary advantage by deception.
Take the money, and buy a Griff!!!
NICE_EH - Did you read the thread? Look at my statement above "I will tell any potential buyer about the accident !" I don't intend to lie about the car thankyou !
And I don't want a Griff, I want my Cerbera back !
NB - Why am I so moody this morning??
Not a dig at you Bandit, just an observation about people not coming clean with all the facts about their cars. I make people sign a declaration when they sell a car to me. More people should have proper contracts when they buy a car off a private seller.
Enjoy the Cerbie when it gets fixed. To be honest, I've sold my Griff and am buying a Cerbera......
Enjoy the Cerbie when it gets fixed. To be honest, I've sold my Griff and am buying a Cerbera......
There is a very good chance your car will be better than before.I hope you intend to keep it for a while.
I have a friend who had a similar case with a Morgan,the car was rebuilt with many improvements between the factory & dealer.I have driven it & it goes well,fully sorted & rattles less than they normally do.
He tried to sell the car a couple of years ago expalining to potential buyers what had happened in the past,even though it is not recorded anywhere,the kind of money he would have to let it go for is unrealistic.
The car is now one of the best for it's year but buyers do not want to know,even though he is honest & the car is built on a new chassis.
I know he wished he took the money.
If you plan on keeping the Cerbera for a long time,go ahead & get it repaired,at least you will have a lot of fun!
I have a friend who had a similar case with a Morgan,the car was rebuilt with many improvements between the factory & dealer.I have driven it & it goes well,fully sorted & rattles less than they normally do.
He tried to sell the car a couple of years ago expalining to potential buyers what had happened in the past,even though it is not recorded anywhere,the kind of money he would have to let it go for is unrealistic.
The car is now one of the best for it's year but buyers do not want to know,even though he is honest & the car is built on a new chassis.
I know he wished he took the money.
If you plan on keeping the Cerbera for a long time,go ahead & get it repaired,at least you will have a lot of fun!
There have been alot of negative comments about getting the car repaired and yes it will have some effect on the the value of the car. Whether it's a cat D write-off or repaired by the insurance company.
However think about this. You have already said you were going to replace it with a new one in a year. A new one will set you back atleast £47K and you will get about £25K for yours. That means you would need to find £22K next year.
With getting your car repaired you get almost completely new 2003 car for no cost. So you can now keep it for a few years. You have not had to find £22K for a new one and if you subsequently sell your repaired car for more that £3K you have made money on the deal.
I know this is a little simplistic but the car has already done the large part of it's depreciation and will now hold value resonably well. Yes you may lose a few thousand on resale but definately keep in mind that it has meant you don't have to replace it for a number of years.
However think about this. You have already said you were going to replace it with a new one in a year. A new one will set you back atleast £47K and you will get about £25K for yours. That means you would need to find £22K next year.
With getting your car repaired you get almost completely new 2003 car for no cost. So you can now keep it for a few years. You have not had to find £22K for a new one and if you subsequently sell your repaired car for more that £3K you have made money on the deal.
I know this is a little simplistic but the car has already done the large part of it's depreciation and will now hold value resonably well. Yes you may lose a few thousand on resale but definately keep in mind that it has meant you don't have to replace it for a number of years.
Just a quickie update...
After insurance company cockup after insurance company cockup, the car is finally being mended
The rubbish insurance company I was with dithered so long with the claim that they only actually gave permission to fix the car last week.... 6 weeks after the accident
After a sh*tty letter to MD of said insurance company telling him what I think of his w*anky company I get the following consessions...
1) Insurance company agree to pay for ALL costs. You may remember they were asking me to contibute an extra grand to get the thing fixed.... they are covering this now.
2) Refunded my £450 car shipping charge and offered to pay for the return fare.
3) Upgraded my hire car to a BMW 530
4) Sent me a case of wine to aplogise
5) Got written statement saying my car would not appear on any type of "crashed" list.
Factory said they had the new chassis built and expected to be finished in 4 weeks so should get her back in mid March.
I really am missing the TVR...I can't get her back soon enough.....
Moral of story.... you can't moan enough when you get bad service. Write those letters !!
Just on a side note I was chatting to one of the guys at the factory about the Speed Six engines again. What he had to say was very similar to what we've heard before but all the same quite comforting. Got the story about the parts being made by a new company and them having problems with the build quality. They identified the problem parts and either re-spec'd them or got them made somewhere else. He assured me that these problems were fixed now and they have very few engines coming back.
Fingers crossed hey !
>> Edited by bandit on Friday 21st February 16:11
After insurance company cockup after insurance company cockup, the car is finally being mended
The rubbish insurance company I was with dithered so long with the claim that they only actually gave permission to fix the car last week.... 6 weeks after the accident
After a sh*tty letter to MD of said insurance company telling him what I think of his w*anky company I get the following consessions...
1) Insurance company agree to pay for ALL costs. You may remember they were asking me to contibute an extra grand to get the thing fixed.... they are covering this now.
2) Refunded my £450 car shipping charge and offered to pay for the return fare.
3) Upgraded my hire car to a BMW 530
4) Sent me a case of wine to aplogise
5) Got written statement saying my car would not appear on any type of "crashed" list.
Factory said they had the new chassis built and expected to be finished in 4 weeks
so should get her back in mid March. I really am missing the TVR...I can't get her back soon enough.....
Moral of story.... you can't moan enough when you get bad service. Write those letters !!
Just on a side note I was chatting to one of the guys at the factory about the Speed Six engines again. What he had to say was very similar to what we've heard before but all the same quite comforting. Got the story about the parts being made by a new company and them having problems with the build quality. They identified the problem parts and either re-spec'd them or got them made somewhere else. He assured me that these problems were fixed now and they have very few engines coming back.
Fingers crossed hey !
>> Edited by bandit on Friday 21st February 16:11
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