A very unhappy Halloween
Discussion
Sadly on Halloween night in the dark and rain one of my neighbours had an attack of "automatic transmission syndrome" and has caused serious damage to my beloved Mitsubishi Galant, so much in fact it's been pushed into my neighbours parking space.
The guy was very shaken up but he was very honest and apologetic, he was very emotional about the whole thing I don't think he'd had a bump or shunt before. He had insured the car with CUVVA and he showed me his phone to prove it, there was 2 minutes left on the insurance! I don't know where I stand legally with this. The car was SORN and on my driveway but because there is a foot path and garden in between I have a separate property deed for the parking space. I only heard about layup insurance last year and just decided given that I live in a low crime area, the electrical system was dead etc it was not worth insuring against something going wrong. He has contacted his insurance but I don't know how this works? Do I get no money or help or is it like he's hit property like a wall or part of someone's home? Next week it was going to be on axle stands so I guess this is preferable timing
There is a fault with the master brake cylinder which means that I can't move the car it's not moved in a few months so not sure what to do about the fact it's now blocking my neighbors parking space. They are at least understanding for the moment.
I am just utterly gutted to my core. This car has a history book thicker than the Bible and has been loved and cherished it's entire life. It's been rust proofed to a very high standard several times and apart from a tiny rust bubble appearing on one rear arch (which is where they all rust) this car probably has some of the best body work of any of them out there. Full main dealer service history up until the very last service which I did myself. It's due a timing belt and balance shaft belt as the only maintenance required
If anyone has any advice on how this kind of situation works I would be grateful to know. If I don't get any money I will select to a breaker so that she can at least give her organs so to speak to keep others on the road. Maybe it's repairable? My fear is on paper it looks like an old crappy jalopy but it's rare enough to make the veyron look common. Colt cars UK really went all out making the final models all look like VR4s, the amazing body kit, momo wheel, more equipment. If his insurance to pay is there any way of getting them to take all of this into account?
I have never seen an average car so over engineered with a Jurassic park "we spared no expense" attitude
Cutting edge GDI engines that are now commonplace
SLA double wishbone suspension setup all round that would be INSANE on any car of it's class today
A Porsche designed tiptronic gearbox that was a decade ahead of the 3 speed slushies of almost all cars from that era
A belt driven harmonic balancer to remove virtually all secondary vibration
A catalytic converter AND a Nox trap filled with pure palladium (maybe some money there at least)
Standard fit heavy/severe duty items such as transmission fluid, engine oil and hydraulic system coolers and radiators. All as standard fit not as options.
Having owned both it's no E39 in terms of refinement or safety but it is built like it should last you your entire life. Is a fantastic enjoyable drive with a great driving position. Only around 1400 kg. The E39 is an elegant looking car but the Galant is the car everybody looks at and enjoys seeing. It's a WAY better steer.
I spent so long trying to get parts from yahoo auctions Japan, getting the head carbon cleaned, working to work out how to remap to jdm standard tune now we have low sulphur fuel up to 99 RON. Theoretically a huge 18BHP gain from an n/a remap by removing the EURO 4 strangulation. I bought a spare ECU and had it benched to try and resolve the fact they will go back to the standard map when turned off/on . It's got an expensive sound system. I just feel so gutted about the time and money spent on something I wanted to keep for a long time
Apart from the GTO and some of the FTO which borrowed heavily from the platform I am literally left realising there is not a single car of its age that will have everything it does. It's all a downgrade I guess?
This different to the legnum which has a 1 in higher roof line and different rear tailgate so the Galant Estate is a really rare beast.
How many left says
Quarter Licensed SORN
2025 Q2 163 648
That's all the models combined. They come up on eBay every few months maybe one or two usually in terrible condition with rust and often pre-face lift or low spec. I had winter tyres on and was just about to spend £1300 to get the brakes sorted and get it MOTd
Sorry for the long posts this is all the stuff that has been going through my head and I am just truly heartbroken about this. I've never loved any car like the Galant. Yes it's no VR for but it could easily be made into one and used for its body or by somebody who can't afford the costs but likes the image. I am betting they will probably be under 100 of these running by 2030 for sure
The guy was very shaken up but he was very honest and apologetic, he was very emotional about the whole thing I don't think he'd had a bump or shunt before. He had insured the car with CUVVA and he showed me his phone to prove it, there was 2 minutes left on the insurance! I don't know where I stand legally with this. The car was SORN and on my driveway but because there is a foot path and garden in between I have a separate property deed for the parking space. I only heard about layup insurance last year and just decided given that I live in a low crime area, the electrical system was dead etc it was not worth insuring against something going wrong. He has contacted his insurance but I don't know how this works? Do I get no money or help or is it like he's hit property like a wall or part of someone's home? Next week it was going to be on axle stands so I guess this is preferable timing
There is a fault with the master brake cylinder which means that I can't move the car it's not moved in a few months so not sure what to do about the fact it's now blocking my neighbors parking space. They are at least understanding for the moment.
I am just utterly gutted to my core. This car has a history book thicker than the Bible and has been loved and cherished it's entire life. It's been rust proofed to a very high standard several times and apart from a tiny rust bubble appearing on one rear arch (which is where they all rust) this car probably has some of the best body work of any of them out there. Full main dealer service history up until the very last service which I did myself. It's due a timing belt and balance shaft belt as the only maintenance required
If anyone has any advice on how this kind of situation works I would be grateful to know. If I don't get any money I will select to a breaker so that she can at least give her organs so to speak to keep others on the road. Maybe it's repairable? My fear is on paper it looks like an old crappy jalopy but it's rare enough to make the veyron look common. Colt cars UK really went all out making the final models all look like VR4s, the amazing body kit, momo wheel, more equipment. If his insurance to pay is there any way of getting them to take all of this into account?
I have never seen an average car so over engineered with a Jurassic park "we spared no expense" attitude
Cutting edge GDI engines that are now commonplace
SLA double wishbone suspension setup all round that would be INSANE on any car of it's class today
A Porsche designed tiptronic gearbox that was a decade ahead of the 3 speed slushies of almost all cars from that era
A belt driven harmonic balancer to remove virtually all secondary vibration
A catalytic converter AND a Nox trap filled with pure palladium (maybe some money there at least)
Standard fit heavy/severe duty items such as transmission fluid, engine oil and hydraulic system coolers and radiators. All as standard fit not as options.
Having owned both it's no E39 in terms of refinement or safety but it is built like it should last you your entire life. Is a fantastic enjoyable drive with a great driving position. Only around 1400 kg. The E39 is an elegant looking car but the Galant is the car everybody looks at and enjoys seeing. It's a WAY better steer.
I spent so long trying to get parts from yahoo auctions Japan, getting the head carbon cleaned, working to work out how to remap to jdm standard tune now we have low sulphur fuel up to 99 RON. Theoretically a huge 18BHP gain from an n/a remap by removing the EURO 4 strangulation. I bought a spare ECU and had it benched to try and resolve the fact they will go back to the standard map when turned off/on . It's got an expensive sound system. I just feel so gutted about the time and money spent on something I wanted to keep for a long time
Apart from the GTO and some of the FTO which borrowed heavily from the platform I am literally left realising there is not a single car of its age that will have everything it does. It's all a downgrade I guess?
This different to the legnum which has a 1 in higher roof line and different rear tailgate so the Galant Estate is a really rare beast.
How many left says
Quarter Licensed SORN
2025 Q2 163 648
That's all the models combined. They come up on eBay every few months maybe one or two usually in terrible condition with rust and often pre-face lift or low spec. I had winter tyres on and was just about to spend £1300 to get the brakes sorted and get it MOTd
Sorry for the long posts this is all the stuff that has been going through my head and I am just truly heartbroken about this. I've never loved any car like the Galant. Yes it's no VR for but it could easily be made into one and used for its body or by somebody who can't afford the costs but likes the image. I am betting they will probably be under 100 of these running by 2030 for sure
Agree that is a shame but having a crash 2 minutes before the policy runs out is a new one on me, probably the only saving grace in all this.
You will need to get repair quotes which could be interesting for a non-runner, not sure if being a non-runner will affect the value.
Depending upon how handy you are with cars, is buying it back and repairing it yourself a possibility with second hand bits. I think parts availability might be the biggest issue.
You will need to get repair quotes which could be interesting for a non-runner, not sure if being a non-runner will affect the value.
Depending upon how handy you are with cars, is buying it back and repairing it yourself a possibility with second hand bits. I think parts availability might be the biggest issue.
hxc_ said:
You contact his insurance and set up a claim. The status of your car is irrelevant. He damaged your property.
This will be challenging as they will want to try and have the car assessed and written off.
Don't let his insurance company take the car away for 'assessment' 'cos once they've got it you'll never see it again and they'll kick you in the nuts on the value.This will be challenging as they will want to try and have the car assessed and written off.
Tango13 said:
hxc_ said:
You contact his insurance and set up a claim. The status of your car is irrelevant. He damaged your property.
This will be challenging as they will want to try and have the car assessed and written off.
Don't let his insurance company take the car away for 'assessment' 'cos once they've got it you'll never see it again and they'll kick you in the nuts on the value.This will be challenging as they will want to try and have the car assessed and written off.
It'll be copart and you will never see it again, even if they agree you can have it back (there will be some "admin mistake").
You will not get a fair price for the car.
I went through the first half of this and then did some research, the number of ombudsman cases with similar stories is staggering. It's another one of those things that'll probably turn into an industry-wide claimfest in a few years.
CraigyMc said:
Tango13 said:
hxc_ said:
You contact his insurance and set up a claim. The status of your car is irrelevant. He damaged your property.
This will be challenging as they will want to try and have the car assessed and written off.
Don't let his insurance company take the car away for 'assessment' 'cos once they've got it you'll never see it again and they'll kick you in the nuts on the value.This will be challenging as they will want to try and have the car assessed and written off.
It'll be copart and you will never see it again, even if they agree you can have it back (there will be some "admin mistake").
You will not get a fair price for the car.
I went through the first half of this and then did some research, the number of ombudsman cases with similar stories is staggering. It's another one of those things that'll probably turn into an industry-wide claimfest in a few years.
My car became a Cat N in 2023 for nothing more than cosmetic damage to the rear bumper and the insurer of the other vehicle only deducted 22% of their admittedly miserly valuation for me to keep a perfectly working car.
Does he have any time stamped CCTV footage of the crash from Ring Door Bells CCTV footage? If so, tell him to get a copy.
I bet Cuvva hear this a lot... "manz was like in da last 30 secz of cover wen it happen but woz inshured 4 real" due to the nature of their policies and will try their best to get you to prove they/you were driving within the actual window they provide.
Sorry to hear about the car
I bet Cuvva hear this a lot... "manz was like in da last 30 secz of cover wen it happen but woz inshured 4 real" due to the nature of their policies and will try their best to get you to prove they/you were driving within the actual window they provide.
Sorry to hear about the car
Edited by MattsCar on Sunday 2nd November 23:50
Thank you everyone for your kind replies and your important advice. Yes i have video of the accident, and I recorded with my phone his phone screen and made a note of the time to prove that his cover was still valid. I must say he was cutting it fine what if he'd gotten stuck in traffic for just a few minutes!
Based on everyone's advice I will not let them take it anywhere, parts availability as some have mentioned is a big big problem. Now that America is importing the GTO and other Mitsubishi models that share parts with the Galant the lack of parts is increasingly troublesome. I've spent the last few months on Yahoo auctions in Japan (they use Yahoo not eBay, weird
trying to get some parts.
Good to know that despite the vehicle being uninsured and SORN he has effectively damaged my property that is a relief to hear. One thing I don't know what to do is how to go about putting it back into the parking space. I know it's not my fault but I still feel bad for my neighbour!
Really appreciate all the advice and I will keep everything updated and if I get stuck I will certainly come back with any questions
Based on everyone's advice I will not let them take it anywhere, parts availability as some have mentioned is a big big problem. Now that America is importing the GTO and other Mitsubishi models that share parts with the Galant the lack of parts is increasingly troublesome. I've spent the last few months on Yahoo auctions in Japan (they use Yahoo not eBay, weird
trying to get some parts. Good to know that despite the vehicle being uninsured and SORN he has effectively damaged my property that is a relief to hear. One thing I don't know what to do is how to go about putting it back into the parking space. I know it's not my fault but I still feel bad for my neighbour!
Really appreciate all the advice and I will keep everything updated and if I get stuck I will certainly come back with any questions
When you say theres a fault with the master cylinder, are we talking brakes stuck on or there are no brakes?
Would have thought for slow speed stuff idle revs and the handbrake would have been safe enough?
Failing that, the ground looks fairly flat and not horribly rough, go-jacks or dragging it on a decent size trolley jack could work.
Would have thought for slow speed stuff idle revs and the handbrake would have been safe enough?
Failing that, the ground looks fairly flat and not horribly rough, go-jacks or dragging it on a decent size trolley jack could work.
If there's maneuvering room and it can be moved under its own steam i agree with the poster above, someone competent at close maneuevering should be able to put that back in its correct place using the park brake alone, or get some mates around and push maneuver or indeed bounce it over.
Alternatively, get someone with a car trailer or single car transporter van to pick it using the winch and reset in the correct place.
To be fair the third parties insurer should be billed for this, but as said above you don't want that car (and i too really liked Mitsis of that era) to leave your premises.
Alternatively, get someone with a car trailer or single car transporter van to pick it using the winch and reset in the correct place.
To be fair the third parties insurer should be billed for this, but as said above you don't want that car (and i too really liked Mitsis of that era) to leave your premises.
As noted above, your problem (once they accept they were on risk, that 2 minute thing is a worry!) is agreeing a fair settlement.
You have a claim against the driver in the tort of negligence.
The general aim of an award of damages in tort is to put the injured party in the same position as they would have been in if the tort had not occurred. Damages in tort aim to restore the claimant to their pre-incident position.
They are going to say - that car was worth £200 - non-runner needing repairs etc. You need to pitch it as a classic under restoration. For you to be put back in the same position, you either need another minter (is there a club for these with owners with minters, who could value or show how much club to club transactions were). Any repairs needed to yours would need to be deducted from the mint car price. The other way to be put back in the same position is for it to be repaired.
If you can t get another like it, the that should be their lability. Good luck!
You have a claim against the driver in the tort of negligence.
The general aim of an award of damages in tort is to put the injured party in the same position as they would have been in if the tort had not occurred. Damages in tort aim to restore the claimant to their pre-incident position.
They are going to say - that car was worth £200 - non-runner needing repairs etc. You need to pitch it as a classic under restoration. For you to be put back in the same position, you either need another minter (is there a club for these with owners with minters, who could value or show how much club to club transactions were). Any repairs needed to yours would need to be deducted from the mint car price. The other way to be put back in the same position is for it to be repaired.
If you can t get another like it, the that should be their lability. Good luck!
The best outcome for you OP could be that you accept a cash in lieu settlement from the 3rd parties insurer. Then there's no further write off, no repairs etc - it's all up to you. Doesn't look too difficult - replacement bumper, bit of bodywork.
If you want the 3rd party to somehow acknowledge the full value of the car to you, with all the history, rare bits etc, I think you will get nowhere.
I did this one with Direct line, when some random reversed into the corner of my (old, would have been immediately written off) car. A man from direct line came round, gave me some speel about how 'he wouldn't want t get involved in writing off/repairing such an old car' and offered the cash instead.
If you want the 3rd party to somehow acknowledge the full value of the car to you, with all the history, rare bits etc, I think you will get nowhere.
I did this one with Direct line, when some random reversed into the corner of my (old, would have been immediately written off) car. A man from direct line came round, gave me some speel about how 'he wouldn't want t get involved in writing off/repairing such an old car' and offered the cash instead.
As mentioned, I would make every effort to secure a cash settlement and undertake a diy repair. The proviso being that there isn t any more serious damage lurking under what appears to be a straightforward repair on the surface. I had two Galant V6 estates and very much agree they re worth hanging on to. Discuss with your neighbour that you ll investigate beneath the damaged panels for further potential surprises before agreeing on a cash sum.
It’s a credit to the car how well it appears to have stood up to what must have been a heavy impact.
It’s a credit to the car how well it appears to have stood up to what must have been a heavy impact.
Edited by Heaveho on Monday 3rd November 11:19
hedges88 said:
one of my neighbours has caused serious damage to my Mitsubishi Galant,
I have edited your post.Another driver has caused damage to your car.
That's all that matters.
It's his fault, he must put you back to where you were before the accident.
Whether he does it via insurance, or thrusts money into your hand is not necessarily relevant.
The Mad Monk said:
I have edited your post.
Another driver has caused damage to your car.
That's all that matters.
It's his fault, he must put you back to where you were before the accident.
Whether he does it via insurance, or thrusts money into your hand is not necessarily relevant.
Not disputing your summary but I can see value becoming an issue. The OPs rather enthusiastic description of their car suggests to me that they value it very highly whereas the neighbour's insurance company will simply see it as a 23 year old non-runner and compensate accordingly.Another driver has caused damage to your car.
That's all that matters.
It's his fault, he must put you back to where you were before the accident.
Whether he does it via insurance, or thrusts money into your hand is not necessarily relevant.
ralphrj said:
Not disputing your summary but I can see value becoming an issue. The OPs rather enthusiastic description of their car suggests to me that they value it very highly whereas the neighbour's insurance company will simply see it as a 23 year old non-runner and compensate accordingly.
Quite and if ultimately it went to court, a judge would, I suspect, value it at the lower end of the scale as a 23 year old non-runner. hedges88 said:
Thank you everyone for your kind replies and your important advice. Yes i have video of the accident, and I recorded with my phone his phone screen and made a note of the time to prove that his cover was still valid. I must say he was cutting it fine what if he'd gotten stuck in traffic for just a few minutes!
Based on everyone's advice I will not let them take it anywhere, parts availability as some have mentioned is a big big problem. Now that America is importing the GTO and other Mitsubishi models that share parts with the Galant the lack of parts is increasingly troublesome. I've spent the last few months on Yahoo auctions in Japan (they use Yahoo not eBay, weird trying to get some parts.
Good to know that despite the vehicle being uninsured and SORN he has effectively damaged my property that is a relief to hear. One thing I don't know what to do is how to go about putting it back into the parking space. I know it's not my fault but I still feel bad for my neighbour!
Really appreciate all the advice and I will keep everything updated and if I get stuck I will certainly come back with any questions
Sorry about your car.Based on everyone's advice I will not let them take it anywhere, parts availability as some have mentioned is a big big problem. Now that America is importing the GTO and other Mitsubishi models that share parts with the Galant the lack of parts is increasingly troublesome. I've spent the last few months on Yahoo auctions in Japan (they use Yahoo not eBay, weird
trying to get some parts. Good to know that despite the vehicle being uninsured and SORN he has effectively damaged my property that is a relief to hear. One thing I don't know what to do is how to go about putting it back into the parking space. I know it's not my fault but I still feel bad for my neighbour!
Really appreciate all the advice and I will keep everything updated and if I get stuck I will certainly come back with any questions
Cuvva only afaik offer temporary Insurance policies but as long as the policy was still in force that shouldn't present a problem.
Neither should your lack of Insurance as you aren't claiming on that anyway.
The issue as everyone has said will be the value.
Irrespective of what the other parties Insurer initially offers you just be prepared to upsell the value.
You may or may not be successful but at the very least be prepared to show some examples on sale if that's at all possible and assuming they are all higher prices than the offer obviously !
If that also means suggesting to said Insurer that they actually visit you then you may have to do that.
But as a word of caution don't try and go for too high a number as given its uninsured by you and not with some form of agreed value ( even if unlikely you could have obtained that ) so try and be realistic.
Best of luck.
Totally gutted and sorry this has happened to you, OP.
I shudder whenever I read 'Cuvva'. Even by its spelling, you just know who is most likely going to use or abuse it: Generation Snapchat.
All car insurance will be a minimum of third party only, so it covers damage to third party persons and property. If the policyholder ends up with life-changing injuries, they automatically won't be covered, hence the need for fully comprehensive.
I used to handle household insurer recovery claims many Moons ago and paying for damage to walls, garden furniture etc caused by vehicular impacts were the commonplace. We'd always go after the motor insurer. Anything surplus would be an uninsured loss and often third party insurers paid out as we'd factor it into the quantum of the claim.
The car being Sorned or without insurance won't and should not affect the result. It's damage to third party property, ultimately. Get them to accept liability first as the ball will then be in your court and you want to make any subsequent steps needing to be taken their problem.
You'll especially require a copy of the report (usually produced by a company like Hoopers) detailing all the parts damaged, and you should be entitled to receive a free copy upon request. Sometimes they do redact parts. If they insist they need to take the car away, then all trailering charges to take it and bring it back ought to be on them.
What they could do is try and undervalue the car using market data, and argue things like betterment if something is repaired or replaced, so that they pay you less. Been through this before after a speed hump exceeded the maximum permitted height under legislation and damaged the underside of my Skoda Superb. My insurers did try and offer me the car back for a price on the basis I provided evidence of repairs. As others have said, you don't want to end up in a situation whereby you're trying to get it back.
In the meantime, I would get specialist bodyshops (possibly even those who are insurer-approved) to have an idea as to repair costs. The report would be a helpful guide.
There are some websites with replacement parts, such as the rear indicator cluster, that I have found by doing a quick Google search, so it's a good start.
I bought a near pristine JDM car and it didn't take long for inconsiderate people to cause damage to original bits of it. As irritating and upsetting as it is, one way to overcome it is to consider whatever has happened as a blip in the history of the car, which will live on regardless, and a part of its story. Those who truly appreciate a vehicle for what it is won't mind.
I shudder whenever I read 'Cuvva'. Even by its spelling, you just know who is most likely going to use or abuse it: Generation Snapchat.
All car insurance will be a minimum of third party only, so it covers damage to third party persons and property. If the policyholder ends up with life-changing injuries, they automatically won't be covered, hence the need for fully comprehensive.
I used to handle household insurer recovery claims many Moons ago and paying for damage to walls, garden furniture etc caused by vehicular impacts were the commonplace. We'd always go after the motor insurer. Anything surplus would be an uninsured loss and often third party insurers paid out as we'd factor it into the quantum of the claim.
The car being Sorned or without insurance won't and should not affect the result. It's damage to third party property, ultimately. Get them to accept liability first as the ball will then be in your court and you want to make any subsequent steps needing to be taken their problem.
You'll especially require a copy of the report (usually produced by a company like Hoopers) detailing all the parts damaged, and you should be entitled to receive a free copy upon request. Sometimes they do redact parts. If they insist they need to take the car away, then all trailering charges to take it and bring it back ought to be on them.
What they could do is try and undervalue the car using market data, and argue things like betterment if something is repaired or replaced, so that they pay you less. Been through this before after a speed hump exceeded the maximum permitted height under legislation and damaged the underside of my Skoda Superb. My insurers did try and offer me the car back for a price on the basis I provided evidence of repairs. As others have said, you don't want to end up in a situation whereby you're trying to get it back.
In the meantime, I would get specialist bodyshops (possibly even those who are insurer-approved) to have an idea as to repair costs. The report would be a helpful guide.
There are some websites with replacement parts, such as the rear indicator cluster, that I have found by doing a quick Google search, so it's a good start.
I bought a near pristine JDM car and it didn't take long for inconsiderate people to cause damage to original bits of it. As irritating and upsetting as it is, one way to overcome it is to consider whatever has happened as a blip in the history of the car, which will live on regardless, and a part of its story. Those who truly appreciate a vehicle for what it is won't mind.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff