SLK200 - Written off :-(

[Nat]

Following on from my previous post about this last week, I've today been informed it's been written off as a CAT S, which was previously Cat C. It was hit by an Audi A4 coming out of a side turning at maybe 10mph but certainly not going fast. The wife is gutted as we've owned it for 2 1/2 years ...

 

[Deleted member 131833]

Have you tried to get an estimate yourself? Does not look too bad, a new back wing could be chopped to repair the damage? Door from breakers and new sill from MB.

Probably all new parts from MB have made it a write off

Depends if floor is too badly creased to repair, I am sure there will be someone with better repair knowledge than me to give you good advice.

 

[Eddy77]

Here’s hoping you can get it back on the road. Such a shame when a small accident like this writes a good car off

 

[Nat]

I doubt I'd bother getting any quotes to get it done myself. The estimate to put it right is £5090! The car is an 05/05 done 82k miles.
I've had an offer it which isn't far away from "market value" but I'm pushing for more.

 

[Deleted member 131833]

Makes me realise that if some dork hits me in the CL I stand to have it written off to, oh dear

 

[markjay]

Have you tried to get an estimate yourself? Does not look too bad, a new back wing could be chopped to repair the damage? Door from breakers and new sill from MB.

Probably all new parts from MB have made it a write off

Depends if floor is too badly creased to repair, I am sure there will be someone with better repair knowledge than me to give you good advice.

I think labour charges will also be a big part of the cost. The trick would be to get the parts cheap AND find a good repairer that charges reasonable rates (or fix it yourself if you are able to).

 

[Nat]

Makes me realise that if some dork hits me in the CL I stand to have it written off to, oh dear

Sadly, it's easily done. It has changed my car buying mode. It's easy to buy a car for £xyz but if it does get written off you'll only get market value and if you paid more than that, tough luck, you lose out financially.

I think labour charges will also be a big part of the cost. The trick would be to get the parts cheap AND find a good repairer that charges reasonable rates (or fix it yourself if you are able to).

I didn't get to see a breakdown of the estimate but I can imagine the labour would be a few £'s. I am contemplating buying it back and ebaying but unsure if I want the hassle.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I doubt I'd bother getting any quotes to get it done myself. The estimate to put it right is £5090! The car is an 05/05 done 82k miles. I've had an offer it which isn't far away from "market value" but I'm pushing for more.

£5k feels about £3k over the odds to repair this. You'll be surprised at how cheap these things can be done by specialists.

But, that said, unless you've got an appetite for these things, after 2 1/2 years maybe it does make sense to cash in and move to the next new thing: time for an upgrade?

 

[E55BOF]

If you like the car, and would not otherwise have thought about getting something else, buy it back as salvage and have it repaired. Better the devil you know...

 

[Deleted member 131833]

Yes better the devil you know, totally agree. You have experienced the car and know what it is like.

Buy a replacement and it is pot luck

 

[Deleted member 126969]

Have to say, the phrase “market value” really needs changing. If it was genuinely market value, it would cover an equivalent replacement, no? A more honest term might be “as little as we can get away with, a value conveniently driven down by the insurance cartels “

Saying it means trade price is meaningless for a private individuals insurance policy IMO.

 

[markjay]

Have to say, the phrase “market value” really needs changing. If it was genuinely market value, it would cover an equivalent replacement, no? A more honest term might be “as little as we can get away with, a value conveniently driven down by the insurance cartels “

Saying it means trade price is meaningless for a private individuals insurance policy IMO.

The term is correct, it is 'market value', and if you insist you will get it. The issue is that insurers are not in a rush to offer it.

The principle is restitution without betterment. Asking the insurer to pay-out the cost of a similar car from a dealer is betterment, as the car will be covered by statuary warranty (and may also have other perks thrown in such as free service etc). The price of buying a similar car privately on the other hand can be considered as fair market value.

If you go on Autotrader, find similar cars of similar age, spec, and mileage, then correct the price downwards to reflect the fact that asking price is not the same as sale price, and then submit it to the insurer as evaluation of market value, you will not be refused.

 

[Merc220cls]

I refused the first three offers when my Jaguar XF was a Cat B write off last year.
I printed off info and photo of six cars showing higher mileage and a higher price.

It’s was only after a long discussion at the third offer did we agree on a settlement.

 

[lordlee]

I refused the first three offers when my Jaguar XF was a Cat B write off last year.
I printed off info and photo of six cars showing higher mileage and a higher price.

It’s was only after a long discussion at the third offer did we agree on a settlement.

Thats the correct approach as they have little come back then. Worked for us on our dearly departed X1. Main thing is no one was injured and only metal was bent.

 

[Nat]

Cheers guys for comments and suggestions. I'm on there case and just had a reply back from them.

Before I respond to them, I just want to make sure I'm been realistic with what I think the value should be pre accident. What in your opinions would be a fair price for it? I'v said the cars they've compared mine to do not have Command, air scarf nor heated seats. As a reminder the car is an 05 SLK200, manual done 82k miles. Here's a couple of sentences they've thrown back at me.

I appreciate you had the optional extra's on the vehicle which is why I increased the valuation taking these into consideration. As we said yesterday the optional extra's are specific to the person buying the vehicle, we cannot say that the extra's you have add any additional value over any other options. An average approach has been used.

As a result of the review above and discussion with the senior engineer we are happy with the settlement placed on the vehicle and therefore no relevant research to suggest an increase is justified.

 

[BTB 500]

Sadly options generally just make a car easier to sell rather than increasing the value significantly.

 

[fabes]

Disagree. Some options do increase the resale value of a car. Pano roof, leather, Sat Nav etc.
Larger wheels, (probably not), particular shade of leather (probably not) as they are fundamentally taste, or opinion.

I win this argument with insurers of our large fleet on a depressingly regular basis and once on our own car that was rear ended into oblivion.
There should be some recognition - the amount is up for discussion I agree, but don't give in. They have some headroom on offers, always.

PS I am surprised (but not stunned) that it is a write off. A shame, but as said above, time to upgrade?

 

[markjay]

Cheers guys for comments and suggestions. I'm on there case and just had a reply back from them.

Before I respond to them, I just want to make sure I'm been realistic with what I think the value should be pre accident. What in your opinions would be a fair price for it? I'v said the cars they've compared mine to do not have Command, air scarf nor heated seats. As a reminder the car is an 05 SLK200, manual done 82k miles. Here's a couple of sentences they've thrown back at me.

I appreciate you had the optional extra's on the vehicle which is why I increased the valuation taking these into consideration. As we said yesterday the optional extra's are specific to the person buying the vehicle, we cannot say that the extra's you have add any additional value over any other options. An average approach has been used.

As a result of the review above and discussion with the senior engineer we are happy with the settlement placed on the vehicle and therefore no relevant research to suggest an increase is justified.

They are correct in saying that having options fitted does not automatically increase the second hand value of the car.

If you can't find cars advertised for private sale with similar spec including all or some of these options... then the onus is on you to prove or convince that these options would fetch a higher price - if you can.

 

[Scott_F]

I appreciate you had the optional extra's on the vehicle which is why I increased the valuation taking these into consideration. As we said yesterday the optional extra's are specific to the person buying the vehicle, we cannot say that the extra's you have add any additional value over any other options. An average approach has been used.

As a result of the review above and discussion with the senior engineer we are happy with the settlement placed on the vehicle and therefore no relevant research to suggest an increase is justified.

You're dealing with someone using the greengrocer's apostrophe.

Ask to deal with someone else.

 

[Dryce]

The principle is restitution without betterment. Asking the insurer to pay-out the cost of a similar car from a dealer is betterment, as the car will be covered by statuary warranty (and may also have other perks thrown in such as free service etc). The price of buying a similar car privately on the other hand can be considered as fair market value.

You should be working for an insurance company dealing with losses.

I rather think the argument is that the dealer cost is restitution if you claim your car was in good condition and reprsented a reasonble forward going risk to you as the owner. Any warranty thrown in by the dealer is incidental - and at best offsets the risk in any deal.

Their obvious counter to this is to point out issues with your car.

I had a colleague have MOT advisories thrown back at him during the dialogue. However he countered that he had dealt with these and therefore demonstrated that the condition of the car was good - and that any car at an equivalent age that he was purchasing in a private sale may well need equivalent work done. They did up the settlement.