Un insured acc damage to X5 - cost to repair advice?

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:36 pm

The wife took the X5 out last night and waiting at some temporary lights a silver corsa ran into the back of her...at slow speed

She took the reg, a name, a mobile number, a postcode, and address

Guess what...the car reg matches the car but all the others bar the postcode appear to be bogus. The street name doesn't exist but the post code does but does not resemble the address. The phone is answerphone.

She rang the 101 police number for advice but they just took details and offered no infromation until someone would ring today

Police rang and said...."the car is known to us" They said ypu've been given a bogus address, they wouldn't reveal why it is known citing data protection sh!te nor who or f they even knew the driver

The last piece of advice was that a report would be requested from us (saves a bobby coming round I guess) and that we should fix it ourself if it's less than the excess

So
Police....feckin useless....either had no details or were hiding something

The damage
Rear bumper...a couple of thumbnail size chips down the the base plastic
medium depth scratches grazes and scrapes in 2 or 3 areas
Some of the grazing may with massive effort polish out
The grooves not so
The chips being thumbnail size need filler at least
Panel gaps and alignment show no signs at all of movement
PDCs still work
Car drives perfect,,,,no crabbing or braking issues
Bootlid untouched

My excess is Â£500....NCD protected but that's bullshine as they'd recover that via a re-assessed premium
MIB cover uninsured losses but the excess may be Â£300 and still put it on you record

What sort of cost am I looking at?
Is a plastic deep (2x) thumbnail chip and thumbnail detectable scratches beyond a smart repair

The sides/top of the bumper and the rest of the car (bar a few stonechips) is immaculate

worst case...bumper blow in a or respray...what's that likley to cost?

Thanks
Mike

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:52 pm

Don't bother with you're insurance company to claim, screws you over for the next five years of premiums, trying to get renewal quotes, etc.

Typical one panel quote should be Â£180 to Â£190, so cheap in comparison to your excess. If near me I can put you in touch with both bodyshops I know that quote these prices.

Still a ball ache and I feel for you, pi$$es me right off when this sort of thing happens. Chin up and at least wife is safe and sound.

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:55 pm

(Edit- My reply was being typed before Sanj's post appeared - albeit advice on repair & cost is essentiually the same & IMO sound).

From what you have stated my thoughts as follows.........

Rear bumper respray ideal price for sterling would be Â£150 circa Â£200 max. A smart repair may quote in at Â£75 upwards. I had a local damage repair to one end of my rear bumper for Â£60 but I am on very good terms with the paint guy that did the excellent work.

Whilst the frank police advice you have had may seem unacceptable it is also IMO the best advice........The driver is required by law to give you his correct details or to report the matter at a police station. Clealrly he has not done so. In abscence of you making a formal report against the other party the police cannot give you the data you want. Importantly the car might not even be registred with DVLA with the real current keeper/owner/driver, ( assuming all are one of the same). Even if you had got the data you wanted on the csar/driver I suspect you &/or your insurance company would not get far if seeking an admission as to who was driving .........even if the suspected driver could be traced. Police wont run an ID procedure all crimes/offences & are unlikely tpo do so for a damage only collision or no insurance offence.

Not what you want to hear but if you asked me honestly the best reolution I would tell you to go and get it fixed as best possible for sensible money..........& yes the cost is likely to be less than excess & future further costs from hiked premiums in abscence of a full settlement from the 3rd party.

I speak with some considerable experience - PM me if you prefer.

Good Luck

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:58 pm

[quote=""Sanj""]Don't bother with you're insurance company to claim, screws you over for the next five years of premiums, trying to get renewal quotes, etc.

Typical one panel quote should be Â£180 to Â£190, so cheap in comparison to your excess. If near me I can put you in touch with both bodyshops I know that quote these prices.

Still a ball ache and I feel for you, pi$$es me right off when this sort of thing happens. Chin up and at least wife is safe and sound.

[/quote]

Cheers Sanj....I live in Manchester so that's a bit of a push....much as I'd like to meet forum mates

I have been screwed before with magical increasing premiums....despite NCB protection...and the cost you qoute is less than that anyway. Should I expect a bumper off top job for that money? Maybe do my mirror backs with leftover paint

The wifes OK but she's shaking with anger...even now. When she told me that he didn't get out of the car I knew something wasn't right. I googled the address etc and that's when the alarm bells rang

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:05 pm

[quote=""AW8""]From what you have stated my thoughts as follows.........

Rear bumper respray ideal price for sterling would be Â£150 circa Â£200 max. A smart repair may quote in at Â£75 upwards. I had a local damage repair to one end of my rear bumper for Â£60 but I am on very good terms with the paint guy that did the excellent work.

Whilst the frank police advice you have had may seem unacceptable it is also IMO the best advice........The driver is required by law to give you his correct details or to report the matter at a police station. Clealrly he has not done so. In abscence of you making a formal report against the other party the police cannot give you the data you want. Importantly the car might not even be registred with DVLA with the real current keeper/owner/driver, ( assuming all are one of the same). Even if you had got the data you wanted on the csar/driver I suspect you &/or your insurance company would not get far if seeking an admission as to who was driving .........even if the suspected driver could be traced. Police wont run an ID procedure all crimes/offences & are unlikely tpo do so for a damage only collision or no insurance offence.

Not what you want to hear but if you asked me honestly the best reolution I would tell you to go and get it fixed as best possible for sensible money..........& yes the cost is likely to be less than excess & future further costs from hiked premiums in abscence of a full settlement from the 3rd party.

I speak with some considerable experience - PM me if you prefer.

Good Luck

[/quote]

Thanks for the frank advice AW8....just me venting my spleen as this thing is so common now. I'm guessing it's no ovesight with the "known" bit. Either it's repeat offender but they wont tell me or they don't know and it's racked up plenty of speeding flashes

If they know who it is he should be publicly flogged

as my premium goes up AND I pay the MIB premium to assist (NOT)

At least it's driveable and a few stickers would disguise

Thanks for the guide on prices

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:12 pm

what colour is it? why not try ebay salvage etc for a complete rear bumper in your colour? saves on hassle and would be an easy couple of hour repair and rear end parts are far easier to source

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:20 pm

Appreciate shadracks input above but having looked at salvage sought prices myself before I suspect a salvage bumper will probably come complte top/bottom & maybe with with PDC's.

Costs likely more than the repair guide prices we have suggested (especially with delivery if not local) .Also risk of sourcing one that still needs some repair work..........Even smallest localised scuff will cost Â£50-Â£75 to fix properly. Sadly a few selling salvage are a bit vague on description(s).

I may of cpourse be proven totally wrong

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:29 pm

[quote=""shadrack""]what colour is it? why not try ebay salvage etc for a complete rear bumper in your colour? saves on hassle and would be an easy couple of hour repair and rear end parts are far easier to source[/quote]

It's Titanium silver. It would have to be mint and scratchless though....and less than the costs quoted.

Is the bumper in 2 parts and being a facelift sport diesel does this make my options limited....like are non facelfts different?

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:31 pm

[quote=""AW8""]Appreciate shadracks input above but having looked at salvage sought prices myself before I suspect a salvage bumper will probably come complte top/bottom & maybe with with PDC's.

Costs likely more than the repair guide prices we have suggested (especially with delivery if not local) .Also risk of sourcing one that still needs some repair work..........Even smallest localised scuff will cost Â£50-Â£75 to fix properly. Sadly a few selling salvage are a bit vague on description(s).

I may of cpourse be proven totally wrong

[/quote]

Any support is welcome, it's good to know what sort of cost I'm letting myself in for. Apart from knowing the damage is there a few cr@ppy rainy days will hide it and it's not wonky. I can take my time but it's just so feckin annoying when I polish it within an inch of its life

plus the wife wants an X5 too and Â£200 on this doesn't help that goal. The freelander has just cost me a few bob too as you might recall

damn....but onwards

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:33 pm

Agree great idea to get another bumper but also agree they are shocking in condition, no way you'll get one mint!

Getting the bumper off is two big bolts and some plastic rivets in each rear wheel arch - bumper off to repair/respray is the best deal. Up your way should be cheaper than these London places!

Tell wifey she's brave to attempt EVEN swapping details, she's braver than me! And it's only plastic so it can wait, won't even rust!

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:37 pm

I think bumpers at rear are the same regadless of age. Only difference at rear is tail lights.

My mistake- it's one part

clicky though if your is a diesel you also need the covers where pipes go on petrol models so budget for same if broken/salavge car is petrol.

IMHO very few rear bumpers will be mint on any car unless it's been very lucky in ownership.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:39 pm

Shite that your having to foot the bill, but at least your missus wasn't hurt. If the police are aware of the car then obviously the dopes driving it ain't too cleaver. I would be keeping an eye out for it and if the chance arises dragging the scrote out and emptying his pockets and knocking some sense into him.

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:44 pm

Appreciate above somewhat tongue in cheek & wishful hypothetical thinking though ironically, (due to policing/government priorities), there would be more chance of ending up in court for that than the driver being prosecuted .

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:47 pm

This link will allow you to check whether the other vehicle has insurance. Just use the free one and bend the truth a small bit....or pay the Â£4 for a bigger check....

http://www.askmid.com/

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:53 pm

[quote=""AW8""]I think bumpers at rear are the same regadless of age. Only difference at rear is tail lights.

My mistake- it's one part

clicky though if your is a diesel you also need the covers where pipes go on petrol models so budget for same if broken/salavge car is petrol.

IMHO very few rear bumpers will be mint on any car unless it's been very lucky in ownership.[/quote]

Sadly mine was

not a single chip. I've just looked on ebay and yes....they have scuffs, worse than mine

[quote=""Sanj""]Agree great idea to get another bumper but also agree they are shocking in condition, no way you'll get one mint!

Getting the bumper off is two big bolts and some plastic rivets in each rear wheel arch - bumper off to repair/respray is the best deal. Up your way should be cheaper than these London places!

Tell wifey she's brave to attempt EVEN swapping details, she's braver than me! And it's only plastic so it can wait, won't even rust![/quote]

Brave...I'm surprised too, she knows we adore the car (she want one herself) so she leapt out.

.without getting into racial stereotypes she said. He never got out of the car, he was very tall, jet black and slung back gangsta style in his corsa. Gave a couldn't give a toss attitude....she's five foot nowt...could have gone seriously wrong. I did think it might at first been a key grab attempt

Is it illegal to drive without...apart from the extra rear end shunt risk whilst painting? scrub that....daft idea

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