A tree crushed my uninsured car - what should I do?
Discussion
So my first post is a desperate plea for help. I own a 1997 Mazda MX-3 V6, which was in mint condition having only covered 55k with a full service history.
I'm not a wealthy man and have very few possessions, but the things I do have I look after and treasure. I took the car off the road and declared it SORN last year because I couldn't afford to run the car over the winter, but was looking forward to getting it back on the road this summer. It really is my pride and joy.
Last night a huge Beech tree came down and crushed a lot of the car. It's SORNed so no insurance, and a check on howmanyleft.com reveals I will probably never find another in such good condition, and I wouldn't stand a chance of affording another anyway.
Sorry for the sob story, my question to the masses is: What do I do?
Do I need to get it trailered somewhere so it doesn't get soaking wet inside?
Will anyone want to buy a minty fresh tiny V6 engine?
It has a custom built stainless exhaust, is that worth anything?
What are my options to recover as much as possible from this awful situation. It's hard to get across on here but I'm pretty devastated by the whole episode. I have no money to spend putting this right.
I'm not a wealthy man and have very few possessions, but the things I do have I look after and treasure. I took the car off the road and declared it SORN last year because I couldn't afford to run the car over the winter, but was looking forward to getting it back on the road this summer. It really is my pride and joy.
Last night a huge Beech tree came down and crushed a lot of the car. It's SORNed so no insurance, and a check on howmanyleft.com reveals I will probably never find another in such good condition, and I wouldn't stand a chance of affording another anyway.
Sorry for the sob story, my question to the masses is: What do I do?
Do I need to get it trailered somewhere so it doesn't get soaking wet inside?
Will anyone want to buy a minty fresh tiny V6 engine?
It has a custom built stainless exhaust, is that worth anything?
What are my options to recover as much as possible from this awful situation. It's hard to get across on here but I'm pretty devastated by the whole episode. I have no money to spend putting this right.
would likely repair,but probably uneconomic to do so.
Best way to get the most money is to break the car, but it will take ages and you would need somewhere to break it.
Only other option is sell it to a breaker or advertise it as damaged but no insurance claim made......someone will buy it at the right price.
Best way to get the most money is to break the car, but it will take ages and you would need somewhere to break it.
Only other option is sell it to a breaker or advertise it as damaged but no insurance claim made......someone will buy it at the right price.
tty end for your car This makes a nice change; someone has their property damaged and instead of coming on here and asking who they can sue, is actually asking for proper advice.
Sorry to hear this OP.
The exhaust may be worth someone but then you've already said they're not exactly abundant these days so that limits your market somewhat.
As someone else said, probably best breaking/scrapping it?
Obviously you need to do something to ensure the interior isn't open to the elements asap.
Sorry to hear this OP.
The exhaust may be worth someone but then you've already said they're not exactly abundant these days so that limits your market somewhat.
As someone else said, probably best breaking/scrapping it?
Obviously you need to do something to ensure the interior isn't open to the elements asap.
Edited by Centurion07 on Sunday 26th January 10:40
hedgefinder said:
g3org3y said:
I may be wrong, but my understanding of the recent insurance changes were that despite a car being SORNed, it still required the owner to have insurance?
yes, you are wrong.
(Off the road, still needs insurance. Once officially SORN, insurance no longer needed).
Best of luck getting this sorted OP. Terrible situation.
Going rate is about £80 for a flat bed pickups worth of hardwood logs, that looks a big tree so as said start the process of getting the tree off the car chopping to logs as you go may get £300 / £400 for the wood. Then find any mx3 forums / owners clubs and put your story on there with loads of photos showing how good condition it is and say you will break the car, sell as much of it that way (the scavengers will descend on you if they are that rare)as you can. Then sell what remains for scrap, I got £100 for a bare MX5 shell last year collected from axle stands.
I suppose the tree belongs to my parents, but there was no sign this was a possibility. It was a freak accident by all accounts. My Mothers Ford Puma was also crushed, but is insured.
It's just really gutting. I really treasured that car. It may not have been the fastest, prettiest thing out there, but it was my own slice of proper 90's driving pleasure.
I just am speechless.
It's just really gutting. I really treasured that car. It may not have been the fastest, prettiest thing out there, but it was my own slice of proper 90's driving pleasure.
I just am speechless.
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