Advice required re:accident claim

[2012]

Hi and a very good morning to all. I've signed up as I currently need some advice regarding my vehicle. Its a 2008 Audi S3 8P model and I've owned it for 18months now and its been a great car I must say HOWEVER, some idiot in a civic was driving fast in a very tight terraced street where my vehicle was parked, which then resulted him clipping the side of my rear bumper, rear arch + 1/4 panel. In my experience (please correct me if I'm wrong) that a 'chassis' being touched in a accidental usually means write off /cat C right? The problem is now my car being a CAT C previously in 2009 will obviously affect the payout but I don't know how much by. I've been offered by the lad who collided into my vehicle that he would rather settle this privately which meant I would be able to take it a bodyshop of my choice and have the work carried out. On the other hand, I don't know if its just structural as the rear passenger wheel looks rather bent. Whats your thought on this guys? I have by 5pm today to make a decision whether to pursue this through insurance as I really don't want to as I may get offered peanuts for my car? My understanding is that if my vehicle was written off, they would deduct 15% as it being a previous CAT C. In all honesty I'd rather go privately as then I would keep my car and not having to worry about it being written off.

Tom

[kiethton]

If you can post a picture up of the damage, maybe that the level of damage may not be consistent with a write off (even with existing cat C status)

Also if it is reparable and if the damage is as bad as you infer, would you trust somebody that has hit your car to give you £5k+ cash on demand?

[2012]

How would I be able to insert a JPEG image?

I've got to rush for work so will hopefully reply if this website isn't blocked at work like FACEBOOK!

I see it as a right off as its touched the main chassis of the vehicle as my old classic subaru was written off for having the sill damaged along with the rear door! The damaged sill could have easily been hidden away by the plastic side skirt however it was written off and this is what my experience is based on.


Tom

[2012]

Just had a quick look now, the bumper seems to be touching the wheel and can hear grinding noise and as for the damage, it seems like the back panel behind the bumper on the passenger side edge has been creased. I don't even think I can bloody drive it to work :@

[eltax91]

There is an upload image link in the post reply window

[LaurasOtherHalf]

kiethton said:

Also if it is reparable and if the damage is as bad as you infer, would you trust somebody that has hit your car to give you £5k+ cash on demand?

^^this unfortunately, regardless of the cost to repair its what I would think.

The fact you may be paid less for an existing write off claim against your car car is irrelevant. You presumably paid less than a none-catagorised equivalent model, and this is one of the many reasons why.

[kiethton]

2012 said:

Just had a quick look now, the bumper seems to be touching the wheel and can hear grinding noise and as for the damage, it seems like the back panel behind the bumper on the passenger side edge has been creased. I don't even think I can bloody drive it to work :@

As others have said there is the upload images link above in the reply box.....

From how you have described the damage i highly doubt it will be written off and is likely ok to drive now as long as there are no sharp edges - cut/crowbar any bumper/trim off the wheel to remove the point of rubbing and it'll be ok....

I do speak from experience, my c.£5.5k valued pug 206 was rear ended on the M6 a few years ago when 2 years old, rear wing pushed onto wheel, boot floor, rear suspension slightly out, bumper, rear shell bumper support welded/jigged, tailgate etc (square to the rear OS impact). The HATO lent me a crowbar to get the bodywork off the wheel. The car was fully repaired and I assume of significantly lower value to yours....