Okay so, on my way home on Saturday night, i braked too hard and late for a roundabout when the roads were wet and subsequently skidded and couldn't avoid the kerb/tree. It's an X reg Fabia 1.4 with 40k on the clock and in great condition (until now). I only have 3rd party f+t so no insurance to help me/write my car off.

So... the crash was about 20 mph i'm guessing, (was well below the 40mph speedlimit when began braking) i hit the kerb then went up the bank a little and into the tree. No airbags deplyed and only damage to the front end, nothing on even the front wings.

It's got structural damage though, the cross members slightly wobbled and the chasis leg is buckled a little. Engine runs fine, the radiators probably broken and the bumper/grill is all smashed up.

I'm 18 and have A-levels coming up... I really dont know what to do with the car, whether i should try and sell it as it is (how much? £), get it repaired (probably not worth it? Again, how much?)

I'm just after advice from you guys on the best way foward or if you've ever had similiar experiences. Many thanks everybody and hope to hear soon.

lets see some pics, might be able to sort out a price for you if i like the look of it

I thought these things had ABS?

And glad you werent injured in the prang.

Check Auto Trader to see how much they are worth (fixed up) but bent ones lets just say most people will just break these for spares

Unsure about your insurance though

How did you get the car home then?

If I was in sure shoes I'd break the car for spares/sell it as it is then get a cheaper car and get comprehensive cover.

Edited 5 April, 201016 yr by Captain Sisko

Okay so, on my way home on Saturday night, i braked too hard and late for a roundabout when the roads were wet and subsequently skidded and couldn't avoid the kerb/tree.

So... the crash was about 20 mph i'm guessing, (was well below the 40mph speedlimit when began braking) i hit the kerb then went up the bank a little and into the tree. No airbags deplyed and only damage to the front end, nothing on even the front wings.

Come off it! Well under the 40 mph limit?! I investigate RTA's and it would have been pretty impossible for you to lock it up at those speeds. I smell a little porky..

Come off it! Well under the 40 mph limit?! I investigate RTA's and it would have been pretty impossible for you to lock it up at those speeds. I smell a little porky..

Would poor tyres result in the lock up?

I thought these things had ABS?

If it's an 8v they have no abs if made before 2004... (mine is a '53 plate and doesn't have it).

Come off it! Well under the 40 mph limit?! I investigate RTA's and it would have been pretty impossible for you to lock it up at those speeds. I smell a little porky..

Going from experiance, on a wet road with no abs i'd say you could lock it up at 10mph... i know I can in mine so let's not jump to conclusions and point the finger, he's here for advice, not a roasting.

As for what to do mate, i'm afraid the advice for a car of that age would be to break it for spares (interior, lights, engine, etc) the scrap the shell to the highest bidder (think it's at about £80 per tonne at the moment). That is unless you know a friendly mechanic/bodyshop that could source you spare parts and do the work for little outlay.

Sorry to hear it happened and glad you are ok.

Cheers,

-Duggie.

Thanks a lot everybody... I WAS well below 40 - still driving too fast for the conditions mind (i was trying to be more fuel efficient and to slow down as little as possible for the roundabout... obviousely i judged my speed wrongly and didn't slow down enough.) my tyre's are almost needing replacement and I didn't want to include that as i'm really not looking for excuses - I know full well that i drove like an idiot and i'm just thankful that i didn't have anyone with me in the car, i didn't hit another car and i wasn't hurt. I guess it's just an expensive learning experience!

Yeah, well - i DO happen to have a friend who's a mechanic and will help me out hopefully so i'm hopeful that i can get it back together but only if safe.

We moved the car by just driving with some serious tyre rub on the inner arch - it wasn't pretty (or sensible) but I crashed about 1/4 of a mile from my house.

Thanks alot guys...

There are two types of drivers on the roads. Those that have had an accident or close call, and the other type - liars! We've all done something somewhere down the line, typically when we were younger. Anyway, the main thing is that you're OK, nobody got hurt, no-one else got involved and there's no need for your insurer to get involved. Best thing for you now is to make back what you can from the car (unless you can get it back on the road safely) and put it down to experience.

hope it gets sorted no advice to give afraid, but treat it as a learning curve for the conditions i had a similar accident, hands up was my fault far too fast for conditions, fortunately i didnt hit anything just slid into a field on a bend, tow out of the field and my car was on its way,

since that day i understand the need to be more cautious in the wet, so just learn from it not to make same mistake again.

We all make mistakes. The best thing to do is to learn from them.

Keep a look out for second hand parts on eBay or your local salvage yards. As for the crumpled chassis leg. Might be worth seeing how much to jig it. Will help a lot if you get your hands dirty.