24 replies to this topic

[rachel]

I'm sooo sorry to hear your sad news, but I'm sure she can be resuscitated. As long as you're ok that's the main thing - cars can be mended, humans can't always, as I see far too often in my job

Keep us up to date with progress, and I hope that you get her back on the road again ready for the show season.


Roll on summer that's what I say - I'm fed up with all this crappy horrible freezing scanky wet weather

Take care

Rach

[Gaffer]

Also you said about not liking nationwide, the main mechanic/fitter there used to work at albrights.

It's more of a dislike for the company rather than certain individuals, everytime i have priced up work with them they are more expensive than other garages, even for the mondeo on simple stuff like brakes. I also assume (i know its wrong to) that it's main interest is in modern cars with bolt on bits, or engine/maintenance work. My preference is a backstreet reputable garage which has recommendations from classic car owners. I just feel that smaller companies are more competative due to having to keep up with the reputation already acheived nationnally by big companies such as nationwide, kwik fit, etc. I

Do you have any dealings with carcheck autos? Is their work any good? I'm just afraid that nationwide may be too expensive and write it off, where somewhere like albrights or eastlys may except the quote and repair it. I wont be using Terry as i have only used him once for MOT work and the experiance has scarred me for life and dont think i will use him again, others would very much recommend him though.

I'm sorry for being indecisive on what im going to do with regards to claiming on the insurance for repair work but this is the first time i have had to claim and am trying to find out the facts on what exactly happens before i decide. So, the next bit of this post would be.........(deep breath)

1, I have notified the insurance so would this go as a claim within the last 5 years on future policies (both on this car and the daily family car) if i decide to withdraw from the claim and fix it myself

2, can i claim on the insurance to pay for the recovery and then repair the car myself using my own funds (would this go as a claim and force me to pay the £500 excess)

3, can i claim for the recovery and get them to quote it, but cancel the claim and fix it myself if they are going to write it off so it wont be written off

4, (last one) What are the implications regarding future insurance, selling etc if i decide to let it get written off and i buy the car back as a cat c/d to repair with the insurance payout/my wages.

[AdamBilsy]

Also you said about not liking nationwide, the main mechanic/fitter there used to work at albrights.

It's more of a dislike for the company rather than certain individuals, everytime i have priced up work with them they are more expensive than other garages, even for the mondeo on simple stuff like brakes. I also assume (i know its wrong to) that it's main interest is in modern cars with bolt on bits, or engine/maintenance work. My preference is a backstreet reputable garage which has recommendations from classic car owners. I just feel that smaller companies are more competative due to having to keep up with the reputation already acheived nationnally by big companies such as nationwide, kwik fit, etc. I

Do you have any dealings with carcheck autos? Is their work any good? I'm just afraid that nationwide may be too expensive and write it off, where somewhere like albrights or eastlys may except the quote and repair it. I wont be using Terry as i have only used him once for MOT work and the experiance has scarred me for life and dont think i will use him again, others would very much recommend him though.

I'm sorry for being indecisive on what im going to do with regards to claiming on the insurance for repair work but this is the first time i have had to claim and am trying to find out the facts on what exactly happens before i decide. So, the next bit of this post would be.........(deep breath)

1, I have notified the insurance so would this go as a claim within the last 5 years on future policies (both on this car and the daily family car) if i decide to withdraw from the claim and fix it myself

2, can i claim on the insurance to pay for the recovery and then repair the car myself using my own funds (would this go as a claim and force me to pay the £500 excess)

3, can i claim for the recovery and get them to quote it, but cancel the claim and fix it myself if they are going to write it off so it wont be written off

4, (last one) What are the implications regarding future insurance, selling etc if i decide to let it get written off and i buy the car back as a cat c/d to repair with the insurance payout/my wages.

Well there are/were actually a couple of Minis in nationwide last time I went in there(owned by people who work there). As for Carcheck, I work there at weekends and I didn't hesitate asking them to do some welding/painting for me. For work they have done for friends/family of mine they have always been quite competitive price-wise. Also they are good enough for taxifast to send all their taxis to for work.

I still find it funny how people would recommend Albrights tho, It may have changed in the last few years, but when my brother worked there I wouldn't have sent anybody there for work/bodges.

[Bungle]

if you look in the southwest section i posted a topic about a bodyshop/restoration place in Saltash looking for work

i have seen a few VW's he has done and the quality is very high

[Bungle]

clicky link

[Gaffer]

clicky link

Thanks Bungle, i did remember that and also looked at it again when i posted in the regional section this morning.

Adam, I will check them out then when i next have car issues (going to post an update at the end of the post). I will have to see what their work is like for the price they charge, its just be being nieve and looking at them on a nationwide ( sorry) scale. I went to Albright as I know someone who just had their clubby estate done and the price they charged me to do the MOT work on mine sounded quite fair as i was after a 'just get it MOT'd' job and it didnt look too bad.

...UPDATE...

Weeellll.... after running around like a blue bum fly i've finally decided what is going to happen to her. I've spent all day ringing the insurance, the breakdown company and the insurance claims department and this is the story.

The police last night said to me at the side of the road because it was in a dangerous location they had to ring their recovery service so they did that and i should ring my recovery sevice/insurance when i get home. The charge from the recovery is roughly £150 which i can get back from the insurance/recovery. After ummming and arring i have come to the conclusion that i am getting it recovered to my house to repair her myself. My recovery service said i cant claim back the polices recovery fee which turned out to be £300, but i can claim the money back from my insurance but it will cost me my £350 excess with the £150 under 25 driver fee (£500 total). The thing that got me about this is the fact that the police used the same company to get my car as i would have done if i had rung them, because the police called them it cost me £300, if i had rang them it would have been free.

She is now sat out the garage, and tomorrow after trying to get my other car fixed so i can get to work i will try and push her in the garage. Now i have to price up a flip front and new vtec/R1 engine

pictures will be put up in a sec once i upload them

[Gaffer]

[samsfern]

whats the driver door gap like? Is the scuttle ok? By the looks of it, youll need part of a rear panel, a rear quarter, wing, front panel, the subframe may be ok, it looks like its damaged the steering rack and possibly tiebars, i have a mini im breaking at the mo, its got a good rear panel and rear quarter, if your interested, you can come and cut the bits you need? I have a rear lamp unit as well, and two goodish stainless bumpers, you can have for nout, pm me, glad your ok though, and it definately looks doable

[tahitigirl]

awww poor mini!!!

[taffy1967]

Glad you weren't hurt mate and I hope the Mini will get fixed.

But Dan is right about Motorway safety though.