32 replies to this topic

[Dan]

perhaps a Mk1/2 pillar/A panel was grafted in during the external hinge conversion?

 

  Admittedly without knowing how much work was done here, I'd suggest it looks more like no reinforcing at all was added during the conversion to external hinges.  Moving the weight of the (far heavier than Mk1 type) Mk3 doors onto the A panel without beefing up the post will cause this kind of crack which as shaun617 has pointed out, in this case appears to have some age to it.

[Classic1275cc]

This is what I always worry about, that's obviously not a right off to someone who loves there mini, id build mine back up again even if there was just a staring wheel and a throttle peddle left

but what I worry about is if you get a knock like this or worse! and the insurance company writes it off, what happens? does it get halled away and crushed or what?

can you get it back even though its been really smashed up ?

[Classic1275cc]

also if an insurance company trys to right it off because of ''the labour cost'' involved in fixing it, what if you do all your own work and the only cost is the parts you buy ? or do they not care

[Guess-Works.com]

That's what agree valuations are there to cover.

 

If you have an agreed valuation of 6k on your mini then it's going to have to be fairly well bent to be uneconomical to repair, as the insurance firm is looking at a 6k payout.

 

If, however, you don't have an agreed valuation then I'm afraid it's market value, which usually runs somewhere between naff all and not much.

[bluffin]

I had similar damage to my mini last year and I asked for payment in lieu of repair. Most insurance companies are much happier to work this way and it will mean your car might not be a write off, you just have to get a quote for the repair and the insurance company will pay you that - VAT (sometimes they will send someone to look at the car just to be sure it's not a false claim.

[Classic1275cc]

so theres no danger of my car being put in a crusher or anything ? if it does get ''written off''?

[bluffin]

The car is your property, most insurance companies will sell you the "salvage" back

[Gashmonster]

Tough luck, really feel for you.

Cant you find the truck owner thru the reg etc?

I'm sure the will be amicable, as no one wants any vehicle off the road, perhaps they will let you buy the bits and fit them or get a fitter to do it.

That damage on the door pillar looks like filler, perhaps from a scuttle patch or replacement,

[Classic1275cc]

hang on if it's my property how can they sell me my own stuff back? by what your saying could they sell the 'salvage' to anyone?

[Guess-Works.com]

If you accept an offer from the insurance company, they are essentially buying the car off you, you no longer own the car... They can then sell that car to whom ever they like. What you need to make sure that if you do accept an offer from an insurance company for a vehicle which you wish to keep, that offer must specifically include the buying back of the vehicle for an agreed sum.

[Classic1275cc]

ok, thanks for your knowledge guys !

[bluffin]

yes they can sell it to anyone, but normally if you say you want the salvage they will deduct the money from the final settlement.

[shaun617]

The insurance etc is not my main worry really, as I can do the work myself (I did vehicle body repair at college) my main concern was the door not being able to close so I was worried that the car has been twisted or crumpled or something. Closer inspection suggest that the hinge has become loose during the accident causing the door to drop a little. But it's a waiting game to see if the company who owns the other vehicle will get in touch with me before anything goes ahead with insurance companies.

 

Thank you for all your time though! I shall get cracking on the mini tomorrow and get her back on the road ASAP!

  

[1984mini25]

 

perhaps a Mk1/2 pillar/A panel was grafted in during the external hinge conversion?

 

  Admittedly without knowing how much work was done here, I'd suggest it looks more like no reinforcing at all was added during the conversion to external hinges.  Moving the weight of the (far heavier than Mk1 type) Mk3 doors onto the A panel without beefing up the post will cause this kind of crack which as shaun617 has pointed out, in this case appears to have some age to it.

 

 it also look like the hole for the original check strap is also made up/filled with filler, along with the rear quarter panel and the oversill...

[shaun617]

The quarter and oversill hasn't been "made up of filler" at all. They were all brand new panels welded in so obviously filler was used to get the smooth finish for paint.