Valuing an unusually specced car for insurance claim...

[Kwai Chang Caine]

Hi Guys,

The Mrs' car was written off by a lunatic (not her but apt) on Saturday.

The problem is, I don't know what to accept as an offer from the insurance due to the car's unusually high spec (I've yet to come across one with so many options).

Anyway, it's a 2005, 55 reg mini one with 43K miles in metallic black. 1 owner. If it helps, it was 16K new in sept 2005.

Options:

Chilli pack (think that's some interior upgrades etc).
16" alloys
Xenons
Full black leather interior
Anthracite headlining
Sunroof
Heated seats
Harmon Kardon sound system with cd player
Leather steering wheel and gear stick (not sure if these were part of chilli pack).
chrome stuff inside and mirrors

It is unusual to find a MINI one with all this stuff for sale to get a guide for how much it was really worth.

Any ideas how much extra the spec make s the car worth?

I reckon I should be looking for £7K. Maybe I'm being overly optimisitic as usual.

All help much appreciated.

[Blakeatron]

Not that into my minis but friends are and that spec doesnt seem too special to me - I may well be wrong though.

Ring a dealer and ask about its value?

[Thankyou4calling]

I don't think the spec will make a huge amount of difference. Don't just take their first offer though. Look at what it would cost to replace for a similar vehicle and go for that although you may be pleasantly surprised, it does happen..

[Kwai Chang Caine]

Blakeatron said:

Not that into my minis but friends are and that spec doesnt seem too special to me - I may well be wrong though.

Ring a dealer and ask about its value?

Well I can't find one.

An S, yes, not that unusual. Not a One though.

[Kwai Chang Caine]

Thankyou4calling said:

I don't think the spec will make a huge amount of difference. Don't just take their first offer though. Look at what it would cost to replace for a similar vehicle and go for that although you may be pleasantly surprised, it does happen..

This is the problem though. The car cost 50% above list when new due to options and there is nothing out there that I can see that is similar to even know what's a good price.

Never had to go through this malarky with insurance cos before.

I'll just go high and see what I can get away with I guess.

[Thankyou4calling]

Several on autotrader. Thing is with options you font get back what you pay out. Sat nav is a good one as is leather but beyond this and decent wheels insurers may well just value it as a normal mini one. Good luck.

[832ark]

Yes a one of that spec must be unusual but there must be some high spec coopers about. See if you can find a cooper of similar spec/age/milage then subtract a bit and go from there.