MST

No but it is detrimental to the traffic that flows beneath, hence why the M4 elevated section has netting underneath - to prevent a similar incident on the A4.

I've already submitted a FOI request to TfL in the hope that it might gee them up a bit but I shan't hold my breath! The problem is that the roundabout beneath is littered with debris from the structure, any Tom, **** or Harry could pop down there now, grab a piece and pretend to be in the same position I am; though you can clearly see the flat underside on my piece where it has fallen out.

Gutting is not the word, the worst part is anticipating how TfL are going to try and wriggle off the hook - I knew more or less straight away after it happened that whoever I claimed against would say that it could have been thrown deliberately or fallen from the back of a truck etc. It sounds awful I know but if it had caused a more serious accident in which I'd been injured then at least it would be taken more seriously than it is now, again...I know how awful that sounds but everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am yet I don't feel quite so lucky :(

Forgot to say that the plot has now thickened, on Tuesday I received an email from Connect Plus who are responsible for maintenance on behalf of the Highways Agency and they've informed me that it is, in fact, Transport for London's responsibility and not theirs. Definitely not, I know the pics above aren't great but the hole where it fell from is clearly visible to the naked eye; I reckon if you were to get back up there it would go back together like a jigsaw, though I don't doubt TfL's claims handler: Gallagher Bassett, will give that one a go!

^ Yes, and respraying the roof.

Well the quotes are in, took it to 2 VAG approved bodyshops and the cheapest came out at £2,038.22 with the other at £2,406.05 inc. VAT...OUCH!

Cheers, definitely shortlisted! Can anyone recommend me any other Skoda approved bodyshops in or around Surrey?

I'm getting confused, as Skoda are part of VAG does that mean a bodyshop listed as an Audi/Seat/VW approved repairer would also leave my paint warranty intact?

I think so, a new bonnet along with a new windscreen as it has multiple chips and I think the roof is going to need a polish if not a respray. Annoyingly my Dad's a panel beater/paint sprayer of 30 years but since leaving "self unemployment" and taking a wage he no longer has the workshop capabilities to do the work for me :( From what I understand the work HAS to be carried out by a Skoda approved bodyshop in order to retain the all important 3 year paint warranty?

I'm in two minds to be honest, in any case it'll be going to a garage of my choice for the repairs as both my partner and I have had bad experiences of insurance company's "approved repairers" Anyone recommend a good bodyshop in Surrey?

Last night I was on my way home from work in my 2 month old MY14 Skoda Fabia when I drove under an elevated section of the A316 on the Middlesex/Surrey border, as I was driving around the roundabout bearing right to take the fourth exit onto the slip road several chunks of masonry fell from the underside of the elevated section and hit my car in at least 3 places - bonnet, roof and windscreen. How it didn't go through my windscreen I don't know and to say that I'm a little peeved would be an understatement, not least because of the impending rigmarole I know my insurance company are going to put me through if I decide to make the claim through them. I pulled over as soon as I could and after running back down to the roundabout and retrieving the largest piece I could find, approximately 6" x 4" x 2"; the rest shattered on impact, I set about reporting it to the Highways Agency, police and of course Mrs. MST and my Dad (funny how we still rely on our parents in such situations). Mercifully, the HA confirmed that they are responsible for this part of the road from this junction otherwise it would've been down to the local council and were actually as helpful as they could've been on the phone given the circumstances, they're sending me out a claims form. The police attended but were unable to make a report as there was no personal injury and no damage [caused by a vehicle] to roadside property, but they did get a traffic unit to attend who confirmed that the Borough Engineer needed to be informed as a matter of urgency - there was talk of closing the junction, the second to last one before the A316 becomes the M3 southbound. My main concern was, and to a point still is, that the claim will be rejected on the grounds that it's not from the structure of the elevated section and came from the back of a vehicle transporting rubble traveling along the carriageway above. Clearly it is as you can see where it has detached from underside and the piece I have is consistent with this, I've photographed both this and the damage as best I can and the officers have said they're happy to provide statements if necessary. Gratuitous pics of the damage... I was driving around here (the exit in the pic is the third): When this (and a hell of a lot more!): Fell from here: Landed here: Causing THIS: Smashing isn't it!

The Skoda ones?

Cheers for that!

A jumbo box came fitted as standard so no worries there, good to hear that it's come in handy with the little one in the back. This place have quoted my mate £120 which sounds quite reasonable although I don't know exactly what he's getting for that, they also do quite a few other bits & pieces including paint correction; light swirl marks in unforgiving Black Magic paint, so I think I'll pop in this week to see what they can do for me.

Thank you g_tee, this is exactly how I envisage her, If I'd wanted a vRS or any other "performance" car for that matter I would've bought one along with the high price of fuel consumption, motor insurance and VED that goes along with the ownership of it. I previously had a Leon Cupra 1.8T, followed by Leon FR TDI and then the Ibiza Bocanegra so I thought it was about time I compromised and sacrificed a little bit of performance for quite a bit more comfort. I'm not overly keen on the idea of sunblinds but then I've never had them in a car I've owned so what do I know! I think tints are the way forward and 15% sounds good, although I'd need to compare. A mate of mine at work is due to have tints on his Mazda 6 Estate in the next couple of weeks so I might take it to the same place for a quote, or I may just wait and see what I think of his first :p Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I think it's great that you've been able to have a fairly broad range of performance cars as the family runaround, but sadly none of the cars you listed were an option for me (except MAYBE the Octavia vRS) for the aformentioned reasons. I started this topic to try and find subtle ways of making my Octy stand out from all those taxis that other discerning members here would be able to appreciate. +1 Agreed!