Broken tail light - is this ok?

[Byff]

Been rear-ended, fortunately note was left and insurance should sort out the mess.

I've replaced the indicator and stop/tail sections of the light with a new unit. No white light visible at all but I couldn't get the bottom reversing/reflector part to fit on (too bent).

My question is, am I legal without the reflector part or does it look ok?

[willisit]

You have a reflector on the other side, no? Should be fine. I'd avoid driving at night much though - could still draw attention. I've seen far far far worse on the road. It'd just be really bad luck if you got pulled for it!

[Byff]

It actually looks better in the dark, you don't even notice the bottom bit is missing and you can't see the big dent.

[jet_noise]

I've one word for you, son, adhesives. Oh, and gaffer tape. I've three words for you, son, adhesives, gaffer tape & trim the part till it fits. I've got several... /the Graduate/Monty P/Stuart Lee,

regards,
Jet

[cambiker71]

Cover the broken sharp bits with gaffer tape, stick a pair of cheap reflectors somewhere on the back near the sides to stay legal when parked.

[Rich G]

Ouch! Agree with the gaffer tape and stick-on reflectors; had to do the same to our Fester when a bus used us instead of his brakes.

Oh, most appropriate username too!

[MJK 24]

Is it worth losing your NCB and having to declare an accident for the next five years for the cost of a bootlid and a straightforward repair to the rear corner of your Mini?

I'd be looking into paying for that out my back pocket if it was my car I think.

[Byff]

The woman who's car bumped it has already gone through her insurance so I'll have something somewhere logged about the accident in the nether regions of the insurance databases. As it happens, we're both with directline and they've already been in touch telling me to get quotes.

However, this isn't about insurance. It'll be getting some gaffer tape and a reflector stuck on it in the morning so I should be sorted.

[rscott]

MJK 24 said:

Is it worth losing your NCB and having to declare an accident for the next five years for the cost of a bootlid and a straightforward repair to the rear corner of your Mini?

I'd be looking into paying for that out my back pocket if it was my car I think.

Why would he lose his NCB? He's not claiming against his policy.
Declaring the accident (as he's supposed to) may or may not affect any renewal costs anyway - it varies from insurer to insurer.

[SVTRick]

Byff said:

Been rear-ended, fortunately note was left and insurance should sort out the mess.

I've replaced the indicator and stop/tail sections of the light with a new unit. No white light visible at all but I couldn't get the bottom reversing/reflector part to fit on (too bent).

My question is, am I legal without the reflector part or does it look ok?

I would just cut a and stick small bit of reflective tape in there or a glue cycle reflector
in the gap, at least then you have made the effort.

[Byff]

I've been on nights all weekend so I've missed loads of phonecalls from her insurance (same company I'm with).

They finally got hold of me Sunday afternoon and the car will be taken away today for repair and a hire car supplied. Been told it'll not affect my No claims bonus and I don't have to declare as a claim.

Full story is that the lady's car had rolled down a hill un-attended until it had "mated" with the Mini's rear end. Just a Golf and a Mini having a concious coupling. She checked the handbrake and it was on tight, then left a note on my windscreen, so I'm very grateful she's been so honest. I was fast asleep and didn't hear a thing.

[anonymous-user]

Byff said:

I don't have to declare as a claim.

you do, it is just a non fault claim.

[Byff]

The Spruce goose said:

you do, it is just a non fault claim.

That's not what the insurance fella told me. He told me she was the one making the claim, not me.

The repair people have back-heeled the repair as the car's so old and they now want to put it in secure storage for an assessment. I have a feeling they might be angling for a write off.

[Fatboy]

Byff said:

The repair people have back-heeled the repair as the car's so old and they now want to put it in secure storage for an assessment. I have a feeling they might be angling for a write off.

Hopefully they're just getting hold of someone who knows Minis - that's not a massive job, as long as it's no worse than the bootlid, rear panel and possibly boot floor.

If they do try and write it off, get an opinion from a good bodyshop (i.e. one that doesn't just do insurance work, try the Mini forums for recommendations)...

[Rtype]

Byff said:

The Spruce goose said:

you do, it is just a non fault claim.

That's not what the insurance fella told me. He told me she was the one making the claim, not me.

The Spruce Goose is correct. When looking for future insurance you need to declare that you have had a "Non-Fault" claim as, yes whilst it is her insurance, you are claiming on her insurance as the incident was his or her fault, which presumably once this is resolved will be fully recovered from the third party. Unlikely to have any impact on any future terms.