Car park bump (with note) - advice? Cheapy MX-5.
Discussion
Left the office this evening to find a nice surprise waiting for me - someone's had a go at shunting my little MX-5, it seems. The driver left a note, which is nice.
Here's the damage:
Obviously the bodywork has taken the brunt of the impact. The front wing's been buckled, the passenger door doesn't open any more (it fouls on the raised bit of the dented wing) and the wheel's got two reasonable scuffs on it too. There are some small scratches on the wing mirror and the front bumper, but these aren't particularly bothersome.
I'm a little concerned as to how much force the wheel took, it was pushed inwards a little when I got out to the car, and now I've parked up at home it looks slightly out of alignment with the right-hand wheel. I turned the wheel a quarter-turn left and the wheels moved fine, a quarter-turn to the right moves the r/h wheel a touch but the l/h wheel still appears to face straight ahead. Hopefully this is just the tracking.
I've never had a bump before and would appreciate some advice. I've spoken to the other driver, who seems reasonable and offered to pay for the repairs if they were reasonable. I'm getting three quotes tomorrow to get a figure for myself, but she said that she'd already got a quote for my car from someone, who said it'd be £550+parts to fix the Mazda. I can't see it costing that much - a replacement front wing is £75 ( clicky), add £100 for paint and maybe £50 for fitting? Again, advice welcomed. I don't really want to go through insurance as they'll probably write the car off if it's costing £550+parts, and I love that little Mazda so I don't want to see it go.
Do I also need to inform my insurer? The car's only insured TPFT so it doesn't seem necessary to inform them if I don't have the ability to claim off them anyway.
Thanks in advance.
(edited since the original pics broke)
Here's the damage:
Obviously the bodywork has taken the brunt of the impact. The front wing's been buckled, the passenger door doesn't open any more (it fouls on the raised bit of the dented wing) and the wheel's got two reasonable scuffs on it too. There are some small scratches on the wing mirror and the front bumper, but these aren't particularly bothersome.
I'm a little concerned as to how much force the wheel took, it was pushed inwards a little when I got out to the car, and now I've parked up at home it looks slightly out of alignment with the right-hand wheel. I turned the wheel a quarter-turn left and the wheels moved fine, a quarter-turn to the right moves the r/h wheel a touch but the l/h wheel still appears to face straight ahead. Hopefully this is just the tracking.
I've never had a bump before and would appreciate some advice. I've spoken to the other driver, who seems reasonable and offered to pay for the repairs if they were reasonable. I'm getting three quotes tomorrow to get a figure for myself, but she said that she'd already got a quote for my car from someone, who said it'd be £550+parts to fix the Mazda. I can't see it costing that much - a replacement front wing is £75 ( clicky), add £100 for paint and maybe £50 for fitting? Again, advice welcomed. I don't really want to go through insurance as they'll probably write the car off if it's costing £550+parts, and I love that little Mazda so I don't want to see it go.
Do I also need to inform my insurer? The car's only insured TPFT so it doesn't seem necessary to inform them if I don't have the ability to claim off them anyway.
Thanks in advance.
(edited since the original pics broke)
Edited by sebhaque on Monday 6th July 19:18
I'd just get a few quotes as you are and put it to them, I've been very surprised by the cost of repairs before though!
Of your not too bothered (and it can be bent back to let the door open) if you don't mind the dents just offer £300 cash, hit it with a hammer and walk away...
I wouldn't bother with insurance...
Of your not too bothered (and it can be bent back to let the door open) if you don't mind the dents just offer £300 cash, hit it with a hammer and walk away...
I wouldn't bother with insurance...
kiethton said:
I'd just get a few quotes as you are and put it to them, I've been very surprised by the cost of repairs before though!
Of your not too bothered (and it can be bent back to let the door open) if you don't mind the dents just offer £300 cash, hit it with a hammer and walk away...
I wouldn't bother with insurance...
The bodywork's rippled a bit and there are some nasty scuffs on it so I don't think it'll really bend back as such - and while I don't mind the odd scuff it's picked up over the years, this one is rather unsightly. A few friends have said I could just buy a front wing and fit it myself - it's tempting, but I'd like to get some proper quotes first just as a matter of cause. Of your not too bothered (and it can be bent back to let the door open) if you don't mind the dents just offer £300 cash, hit it with a hammer and walk away...
I wouldn't bother with insurance...
TooMany2cvs said:
Piccies no worky.
Whoops - reupped them. 
k does someone get parking that wrong? Bint should had in her driving licence at the same time.That's quite a smack!
I think you've been very lucky that the bumper/bonnet/door appear undamaged.
Shouldn't cost much to fix.
Even if there is suspension damage, you could get salvage arms etc cheap enough, with a new pair of shocks.
If they have offered £550 and are willing g to just give you the cash, I'd definitely go for that.
I think you've been very lucky that the bumper/bonnet/door appear undamaged.
Shouldn't cost much to fix.
Even if there is suspension damage, you could get salvage arms etc cheap enough, with a new pair of shocks.
If they have offered £550 and are willing g to just give you the cash, I'd definitely go for that.
I'd have thought it would have just moved the alignment bolts, there is loads of adjustment, even if slightly bend wishbone the adjustment bolts will have enough to correct it. I'd get a new wing and quote for painting probably all done no more than £200 + £100 for alignment reset so say thanks so much for leaving a note, £450 would be more than enough thanks for being honest. No need for insurance.
daytona365 said:
I'd take the 550 and hope someone would do the other side as well !!
I'd be snapping their arm off at £550 to be honest, you could get that looking perfect for rather less assuming no significant suspension damage. In fact if you can find a tidy s/h wing of the right colour then you'll have quite a few tanks of petrol left over.
Perhaps I should clarify. The other driver said they'd been quoted £550+parts to fix the car, which would be an insurance job for her. We both agreed that a decent out-of-insurance job would be £300-£400. As I'm dwelling on it further tonight, I get the feeling that realistically I've lost my Mazda tonight. It drives okay - I took it out briefly earlier and, while it may be the placebo effect, it felt like it was hurting. It coughed on start up, the electric windows have stopped working, the pax mirror has obviously taken a knock and there's new wind noise coming from the n/s/r.
I've been using the car as an everyday car and I'm actually quite sad that it might have to come to an end. I have no doubt that if it's written off, which is highly likely, I'll be straight on the horn to the other driver's insurance company as I'm definitely getting another MX-5.
I assume the third-party insurance company will pay out for a similar car to mine to get me in the position that I was in? I don't want a million-mile 1.6 MX-5, I had a low-mileage 1.8 with a glass rear screen and electric windows - how much arguing do I have to do to get myself in a similar car? I want nothing better than what I had as it was pretty much perfect.
ETA - appreciate the input!
I've been using the car as an everyday car and I'm actually quite sad that it might have to come to an end. I have no doubt that if it's written off, which is highly likely, I'll be straight on the horn to the other driver's insurance company as I'm definitely getting another MX-5.
I assume the third-party insurance company will pay out for a similar car to mine to get me in the position that I was in? I don't want a million-mile 1.6 MX-5, I had a low-mileage 1.8 with a glass rear screen and electric windows - how much arguing do I have to do to get myself in a similar car? I want nothing better than what I had as it was pretty much perfect.
ETA - appreciate the input!
I think that in this day and age of someone is still honest enough to leave their details and not slink off then it would be fair to try and fix it back to how it was for the least amount of money v hassle.
If it's just the wing then an Ebay jobby is going to be fine. I'd just be making sure I used a good painter as it will be annoying to forever see a colour mismatch.
If it's just the wing then an Ebay jobby is going to be fine. I'd just be making sure I used a good painter as it will be annoying to forever see a colour mismatch.
That is a big whack, and you say the wheel has been hit too, plus mirror etc. panel work is expensive these days, I have paid £80 per hour for the right job recently.
You are potentially being rolled. What they have is an estimate in absence of a proper inspection. What did they do to get it, show their friendly repairer a photo? How does that get the steering and suspension checked? Get the car inspected to ensure that the damage to steering and suspension doesn't blow the whole thing out of the water. Once you have your own estimates, then you can go back to the person that damaged your property and they can decide whether it is to be put through their insurance, or cough to the extent required to properly repair your vehicle.
I personally think £500 could be light. I had a 10 reg three layer pearl white rear bumper done on my daughters mk3 mx5 and it was over a grand. Admittedly, it was not a cheap body shop as above, as it needed to be immaculate and it was.
Think about it. Check steering and suspension alignment, including camber / caster / strut alignments and adjust / repair as necessary. Remove nsf wing, any trim, replace wing, check wheel for buckle / replace or refurb wheel, mask surrounding areas, prep adjoining panels (ns door, scuttle and bonnet), prime and repaint wing in 2k metallicand, blend colour into adjoining panels and lacquer all painted panels, replace trim, unmask and compound / polish, all at labour of £50+ an hour (this is not insurance reduced rates) add on the vat (if it is only £400 then it is £480 to you sir) and bus fares while it is away under repair and it sounds a good £500 to me.
It is not up to the other driver to tell you how much it will cost to repair the damage they did. IMO, Ignore them, get your own estimates and make sure you are properly compensated to put it right.
You are potentially being rolled. What they have is an estimate in absence of a proper inspection. What did they do to get it, show their friendly repairer a photo? How does that get the steering and suspension checked? Get the car inspected to ensure that the damage to steering and suspension doesn't blow the whole thing out of the water. Once you have your own estimates, then you can go back to the person that damaged your property and they can decide whether it is to be put through their insurance, or cough to the extent required to properly repair your vehicle.
I personally think £500 could be light. I had a 10 reg three layer pearl white rear bumper done on my daughters mk3 mx5 and it was over a grand. Admittedly, it was not a cheap body shop as above, as it needed to be immaculate and it was.
Think about it. Check steering and suspension alignment, including camber / caster / strut alignments and adjust / repair as necessary. Remove nsf wing, any trim, replace wing, check wheel for buckle / replace or refurb wheel, mask surrounding areas, prep adjoining panels (ns door, scuttle and bonnet), prime and repaint wing in 2k metallicand, blend colour into adjoining panels and lacquer all painted panels, replace trim, unmask and compound / polish, all at labour of £50+ an hour (this is not insurance reduced rates) add on the vat (if it is only £400 then it is £480 to you sir) and bus fares while it is away under repair and it sounds a good £500 to me.
It is not up to the other driver to tell you how much it will cost to repair the damage they did. IMO, Ignore them, get your own estimates and make sure you are properly compensated to put it right.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff