I am an idiot - what are my options ?

[Rawhide]

Hi, I've done something stupid and would like some help with my options. I have a 2004 Volvo V70 D5 which is our family workhorse. Its on about 133k and is mechanically maintained to a good standard. I've put some money into it in the last few years to keep it running well but cosmetically it's tired now. Scratches, ding, dents etc. My wife left the keys in the ignition so the battery drained which was not a big deal. I left it on the CTEK charging but left the bonnet open to remind us not to drive off with the CTEK still plugged in to the outdoor wall socket. The battery is in the boot so this is possible for me or my wife to do.

Last night I was going to the gym late and unplugged the CTEK and drove off. It was dark and I did not get any warnings on the dashboard. When I reached about 50mph the bonnet flew up and smashed into the windscreen. I did not close it properly. I managed to stop ok. The bonnet is deformed and needs replacing for sure. The front wings were damaged by the hydraulic struts which were ripped off with the force. Therefore it's three panels which are damaged and the hydraulic struts.







The car is not worth a lot as it's self serviced since 88k. It's got war scars and family abuse. We buyanycar valued it at £1800.

I think my options are;

1) repair cheaply with second hand panels and respray front end
2) claim on insurance - this might write off the car especially if we have a loan car which we really do need.

If I follow option 2 what are my options of buying back the car as a CAT D? I know I will lose no claims but that cars insurance is not too bad anyway. As I wanted to run the car into the ground CAT D would not bother me. I'd expect even if I repaired the car out of pocket the costs must be at least £500+ How much roughtly would I have to pay to buy it back?

If I do go down the write off / buy back car route I'd assume I would be without a car for some time. This is not ideal as we need it for family duty.

Can anyone help this resident idiot ?

Edited by Rawhide on Tuesday 9th September 10:35

[shake n bake]

Repair it using second hand panels. It's much easier than claiming on the insurance and then repairing it.
You may luck in and find
One being broken with the right colour panels.

[ikarl]

Drive it as is?
If the bonnet shuts ok still obviously

[SuperVM]

If it were me, I'd find panels of the same colour from a scrappy and fit them myself. I doubt it will be a perfect colour match, but does it really matter if you were planning on running the car into the ground?

[Monty Python]

Go anywhere near the insurance and that will be a definite write-off.

Cheapest way is to repair it yourself - Ebay has bonnets for ~£80, wings for £35 each.

[Rawhide]

ikarl said:

Drive it as is?
If the bonnet shuts ok still obviously

The bonnet does shut ok. However as my wife mostly drives the car that damage is really a bit too much for her to live with. I'm wondering if the bonnet does not have a way of holding itself open is this an MOT issue? I'm thinking probably not.

Edited by Rawhide on Tuesday 9th September 10:45

[Dog Star]

Bit of a bummer, OP, but you should be able to get all those bits quite cheaply from a breakers and a cheap spray job done. If it's a good car then it's worth doing. I wouldn't go near insurance; lets say that you can get all that fixed for 500 including paint - your excess and then several years buttfking of increased premiums will put paid to that!

At least there wasn't a crash when the bonnet flew up (looking on the bright side).

[Bill]

ikarl said:

Drive it as is?
If the bonnet shuts ok still obviously

This. While waiting for the right colour panels to come up on eBay.

[schmalex]

Rawhide said:

The bonnet does shut ok. However as my wife mostly drives the car that damage is really a bit too much for her to live with. I'm wondering if the bonnet does not have a way of holding itself open is this an MOT issue? I'm thinking probably not.

Edited by Rawhide on Tuesday 9th September 10:45

No. It's not. My Land Rover passes its MOT every year without a bonnet strut to hold it open.

[Rawhide]

Thanks guys, I'm feeling more positive now as looks like ebay already has a colour matching panel and bonnet

[Dr Interceptor]

Bill said:

ikarl said:

Drive it as is?
If the bonnet shuts ok still obviously

This. While waiting for the right colour panels to come up on eBay.

This...

[Bill]

Rawhide said:

Thanks guys, I'm feeling more positive now as looks like ebay already has a colour matching panel and bonnet

(You tit )

[CAPP0]

Monty Python said:

Go anywhere near the insurance and that will be a definite write-off.

Cheapest way is to repair it yourself - Ebay has bonnets for ~£80, wings for £35 each.

At those prices, as long as you can fit them yourself, I would imagine you'd spend less than your insurance excess anyway?

[Glassman]

I'm surprised it didn't destroy the windscreen.

You need to try harder.

[soad]

Glassman said:

I'm surprised it didn't destroy the windscreen.

You need to try harder.

Don't encourage him!

Reminds me of that (350Z test drive) thread.