Cost of repairing a front crash

[javidr]

Hi

I have an a200 cdi and Unfortunately I had a crash this morning. I hit the back of a Volvo XC60. It was a slow crash, around 5-10 mph, and the front of the car is damaged. It is, Bonnet, left headlight, bumper, grille, etc. It’s also leaking coolant so I think this is damaged as well

Car is a 63 reg number, valued in around 10-12k. Any idea how much would it cost to repair it?

Any risk of having the car written off? I have driven the car back home, but I’m reading a lot of complains about cars written off with cosmetic damage

Thanks

 

[clk320x]

Photos?

Damage to the XC60? Is the other driver claiming on your insurance?

 

[w124uk]

Insurance companies often write cars off as the value of salvage is pretty high and the repair costs are high.

It's likely to be bonnet, headlight, bumper support, bumper cover, grille, grille badge, rad, condenser (A/C rad), intercooler. There will be a hefty to strip, paint the bumper, paint the bonnet, blend it into the wings etc and lacquer the bumper, bonnet and wings. They have to replace all damaged parts, put it together etc. They have to take into account some wiring looms may be damaged, brackets may be damaged on the other headlight, undertrays might also be damaged etc. By the time it gets added up, it won't be cheap. Some insurance companies don't want the hassle and the risk: in case they authorise the repair, it gets stripped and the bodyshop finds more work, they are left with a partially stripped car or have to spend more money on extra repairs. Taking into account they will most likely pay for a replacement car etc, they may decide to write it off.

 

[Petrol Pete]

My neighbours Honda rolled across the road and hit the tow ball on my wife's car (at walking pace) the plastic bumper deflected and cracked and that looked like that was it...but the radiator had been damaged and there was a 'dual' heat exchanger lower down that was also damaged. All had to be replaced. Luckily her husband owns a garage so they avoided the insurance getting involved and he did all the work himself. Even a minor front end bump can write a car off. Check the front 'crash boxes' for damage. Good luck.

 

[w124uk]

I forgot: most manufacturers have a 'total loss avoidance scheme' where they can reduce the cost of the parts to keep the car on the road. Unfortunately not all insurance companies are aware of it. If it's a close call, it's worth asking the estimator if Mercedes have a total loss avoidance scheme. If you really like the car, mention you would rather see it repaired.

 

[14emerc]

6k...that's my quote if done by MB

 

[chrisk2010]

This may not really help but to give another.

When I had a similar crash in my c class the insurance company quoted 5-6K (it was a dodgy garage overquoting to by the car for themselves) so they wrote it off and i brought it back and hit eBay and scrap yard for used parts i repaired it for approx £1000.00 which included a set of AMG alloys i found along the way.

It took me two weeks to find and swap out the damaged parts it took over a month to deal with the insurance company.

Off the top of my head i replaced: Bonnet, Wings, Headlights, Air condensor, a couple of hoses, regassing of the system, coolant. The bumper was cracked a bit so i fused it with a soldering iron and filled, smoothed then primered and paid about £100 quid to have it sprayed. Bare in mind i did look over the car myself and checked what I thought needed doing and researched the cost parts used and new before i settled and made the decision to repair.

It really wasn't as bad as the assessor claimed as he wanted to replace everything from the bumper back as they just quoted for what may be damaged by a visual inspection. The car was mint so to me it was worth doing.

It's just another option if you have the space, time and confidence.

 

[Zakkz]

I've got a crack in my bumper, and it had never crossed my mind that I could use a soldering iron to fuse it!

I might give it a go and will report back!

 

[Martygt550]

Soldering iron or heat glue gun that's what the "trade" would do!
A small patch behind it if you feel it needs support and you've saved yourself the price of a new bumper!

 

[Zakkz]

Thanks!

I'll definitely give it a go - you might see a thread from me asking advice on how to remove a stuck soldering iron from a bumper