Morning all. (long post so there's a brief TLDR at the bottom)

 

As some of you know, I've only owned my 2006 vRS since February this year. It's been a brilliant car and I really looked after it, to the point where it really was my pride and joy. Unfortunately I had a bit of chaotic day on Thursday last week where I've had a bad accident, had the car recovered on Friday and the insurance garage has told me there's probably about £5k odd damage to the frontside of the car, which he thinks will probably be a write-off.

 

 

The Accident(s) Story

 

On Thursday I was feeding down a slip road near my work in Luton and went into the back of a stopped car on the slip road. The road feeds down the hill onto the dual carriage way near the airport (50mph traffic) and it's a very small slip line to get up to speed and safely get onto the dual carriage way. As I was feeding down the road, you have to instantly look right to look for a space to pull out as theres very little road before the slip lane disappears. With my luck, there was a large Lorry who hadn't pulled out the outside lane to let the slip road traffic out and typically the driver was on his phone, which was probably why he hadn't done this. Road was running out and I looked in front of me, probably 2 seconds too late and a car in front of me had stopped completely on the slip road and I crashed into the back of her.

 

Got out of the car, pretty fuming with myself, to check she was OK. Luckily she was fine and didn't seem all that bothered, considering I'd hit her at a speed of about 30-40 and she was stationary. She told me she was getting rid of her car soon and didn't car about the accident and to be honest, she had a small brake light break and a tiny mark on the rear of her car, but unfortunately i'd smashed my bonnet, grill and pushed a lot of the components back. The crash was a high up collision as i'd been feeding down the hill and my car naturally had come off much worse.

 

She left shortly after and I parked up on the side of the road with my hazards on. Spoke to my dad to tell him what had happened. As I was talking to my dad on the phone, someone else behind me makes the same mistake I did and narrowly misses crashing into the back of my car, but:

 

- smashes my back brake light

- scapes all the paint off the RHS of the rear

- cuts my tyre

- kerbs the alloy

- smashes the right wing mirror

 

Just after that happens another car was pursuing him closely and marginly misses clattering into the back of me. Had either of them hit me, I wasn't wearing my seatbelt as I was parked up on the phone, I probably would have been thrown through the windscreen! In some sort of miracle the glass on my wing mirror didn't have a scratch  :think:

 

The guy smashed off his wing mirror, broke his left side door and his passenger front tyre popped. Shortly after, the police turn up as someone's reported the 1st incident from viewing it on the carriage way and I told him about the events and shortly after leaves as no-one's been injured. The lorry driver who called in the incident also turns up to check everyone was ok, which I thought was really good of him. To top it all off, when I rung it in to the insurance company, I found out my policy doesn't have any courtesy car cover, which was a kick in the teeth and can't actually believe I didn't check that.  All in all, a chaotic day as you can imagine!

 

So basically there's a lot of damage to the front as the car was pushed back a bit and the insurance repair company have told me it's damaged all the intercooler etc.

 

So I'm likely to find out on Friday whether the insurance company decide to write it off and from what the insurers repair company have told me, it's probably quite likely. The car was the following when I bought it earlier this year:

 

- Cost me £5900

- Race Blue Metallic vRS TFSI 2006 Plate

- Mileage: 49k

- Full Service history with Skoda dealerships

- Extras: Xenon lights

 

I've had a fair bit of work done on it this year, including:

 

- 4 x Goodyear Eagle F1 ASY2 Tyres

- New front bushes & arms

- Main service around 60k

- MOT until next year

- Tax until next year

 

The only real difference to the car, apart from all the work it's had done, is that the mileage was now sitting at 61k.

 

 

What I need help from you lot is:

 

- How much do you think my car is now worth?

- Do I try and buy another vRS, baring in mind the time of year?

 

 

To top of the manic week, I actually just got a new job on the Wednesday and was meant to be celebrating that on Thursday evening   ! Other factors to consider is that with this new job, I'll be doing a little more travelling and I'm also mortgaging a house in a few months, so would be good to reduce the cost of the petrol etc. The irony of this new job is that it will be working in the Automotive industry! Also, it's my birthday next week so it's all happening!

 

 

 

Apologies for a long essay, so for those of you who didn't read all of it:

 

TLDR - Car probably write off, how much should i be looking at getting for a payout, should i buy another vRS

 

 

All in all, I'm absolutely gutted that I could lose it, as it was a fantastic car. Thanks for all for reading and it's mad how a few seconds of concentration lapse can cause so much hassle.

Edited 23 December, 201312 yr by Wardy-

Mate what a shart thing to happen particularly this time of year, gets worse being hit the 2nd time too.

Couldn't say what the insurance company will give you for it in all honesty but fight for a fair market value. 5.9k does sound quite cheap for an 06 VRS with such low mileage (61k is still low) though so you could possibly do OK out of the settlement.

Just remember at the end of the day it's just a bit of metal and no one was hurt which is the main thing. Don't know what you plan to do as a replacement but earlier facelift cars are getting more affordable now, maybe give one of those a look?

I am gutted for you Wardy and I know your probably sick of hearing this..........but the main thing is that nobody was hurt. I can't offer any answers to the financial questions that need answering, I just want to offer my support.

Do your homework into the sort of prices cars like yours go for, look at the usual places (Autotrader, Pistonheads, eBay, forums etc) and build up some examples, saving them offline (screen print, perhaps) in case the advert is later removed. This will not only give you an idea of the value and replacement cost, but will serve you well if the insurance company offers less than you expect.

 

It's important to remember that you don't have to accept the first offer if it's not suitable.

 

If they come in with a low offer, present your reasons for believing it's low, send the examples you've saved and explain why yours is worth more. They should come back with a counter offer.

 

You won't necessarily get extra money for service history, but you can argue that your car is at the top-end of it's price range due to the mileage, condition, xenon lights etc. In other words, make sure the money they offer would buy you an equal car. If it won't, reject it.

 

As above though, do try and remember it's just metal and can be replaced. Everyone being OK is the most important thing. Good luck

Mate what a shart thing to happen particularly this time of year, gets worse being hit the 2nd time too.

Couldn't say what the insurance company will give you for it in all honesty but fight for a fair market value. 5.9k does sound quite cheap for an 06 VRS with such low mileage (61k is still low) though so you could possibly do OK out of the settlement.

Just remember at the end of the day it's just a bit of metal and no one was hurt which is the main thing. Don't know what you plan to do as a replacement but earlier facelift cars are getting more affordable now, maybe give one of those a look?

 

Yeh pretty bad timing, but take it on the chin as it was my fault. It's true, it's just a car, but we all know you get slightly attached when you've spent your money on them

 

It's not a bad idea actually looking at the FL versions, but not sure I'd get enough to buy one at this time.

 

 

 

I am gutted for you Wardy and I know your probably sick of hearing this..........

but the main thing is that nobody was hurt. I can't offer any answers to the financial questions that need answering, I just want to offer my support.

 

No problems mate, this stuff happens all the time to other people, but I'm well and can't ask for more than that.

 

 

 

Do your homework into the sort of prices cars like yours go for, look at the usual places (Autotrader, Pistonheads, eBay, forums etc) and build up some examples, saving them offline (screen print, perhaps) in case the advert is later removed. This will not only give you an idea of the value and replacement cost, but will serve you well if the insurance company offers less than you expect.

 

It's important to remember that you don't have to accept the first offer if it's not suitable.

 

If they come in with a low offer, present your reasons for believing it's low, send the examples you've saved and explain why yours is worth more. They should come back with a counter offer.

 

You won't necessarily get extra money for service history, but you can argue that your car is at the top-end of it's price range due to the mileage, condition, xenon lights etc. In other words, make sure the money they offer would buy you an equal car. If it won't, reject it.

 

As above though, do try and remember it's just metal and can be replaced. Everyone being OK is the most important thing. Good luck

 

 

Thanks for the advice mate, will take that all into consideration when speaking with them

@Wardy-

Not that I take any pleasure in seeing someone else's misfortune but I hope you learned a lesson... eyes open in front.

In your own words " I

looked in front of me, probably 2 seconds too

late"

And this is why they say in an accident get out of the vehicle and move well away from it in case of rear end collisions.

Try and enjoy Christmas and New Year's festivities though.

@Wardy-

Not that I take any pleasure in seeing someone else's misfortune but I hope you learned a lesson... eyes open in front.

In your own words " I

looked in front of me, probably 2 seconds too

late"

And this is why they say in an accident get out of the vehicle and move well away from it in case of rear end collisions.

Try and enjoy Christmas and New Year's festivities though.

 

Difficult to explain the situation mate, but you have to look right else you get stuck on the end of a slip lane trying to get into traffic at 50mph. As for the other car hitting me, it was parked on a small grass verge next to the slip lane and then there's a row of trees, so couldn't really do anything else, especially considering i didn't know the damage extent of the car.

 

Will be glad when it's over, but going to be on mind all over christmas and new year as it's not likely to be sorted by then! I'll try to enjoy it though

Sorry to hear that.

 

I know the situation and I've had a couple of close encounters in the same way.

 

As for teh pay out on the car I hope it's not trade in figures they look at since I wasn't getting offered over 5k for my 07 VRS two years ago with 50k on the clock. And it's not rough.

 

I'd just check out Autotrader and see what the listed prices are and get ready to haggle.

What I need help from you lot is:

 

- How much do you think my car is now worth?

- Do I try and buy another vRS, baring in mind the time of year?

 

 

Looks like your car would retail at around £5600 at the moment. 

 

Don't see why you shouldn't be able to source another one at this time of year......having said that, a quick look on autotrader reveals only nine 2.0 TFSI vRS's for sale under £6000 in the whole country at the moment.

 

The main thing is you walked away from it in one piece. 

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.  Have a good read through the Financial Ombudsman Service technical note on car valuations - that should tell you all you need to know about getting a fair settlement from your insurer.  Once you've read that, start printing off adverts of similar cars/spec/mileage to your own on autotrader and any other source to use as evidence of the value of your car. 

 

Unfortunately things like the money you've spent on tyres, maintenance, servicing and road tax count for nothing - they are routine costs involved in running a car and will probably add little or no value to your car.  You should be able to recover your tax disc and get a refund for the full months remaining though.

Thanks Julie, will look into that.

Seems a bit of a joke they can use trade in figures for negotiation as the whole point of the system, is so that you can go out and buy a like for like car! As we know the trade in represents a negotiating tool when buying a newer car, but there you go.

Iv created a spreadsheet for about 10 vRS from autotrader as evidence and think iv decided that I will use the payout to deposit for a newer vRS, 10 plate or similar.

can you get access to the car to get the tax disk back?

can you get access to the car to get the tax disk back?

 

Probably, yes. Need to wait and hear whether it officially is to be written off or not first!

You will certainly be given access to your car again, write off or not. It's expected that there will be personal belongings in there that you want to recover

Wardy, good luck getting it all sorted.

As above, do not admit liability. There were several factors at play here - truck driver on phone, stationary car on fast road, etc etc.

Liability is for the insurance sector to decide.

They write off anything at the drop of a hat if it's a few years old.  I wrote off a car 18 moths ago - it was a very minor roundabout shunt (I hit a lorry, which was completely unscathed) but the insurance company decided it was Cat D (i.e. economically repairable but they didn't want to take the risk).

 

The car is now back on the road because it was a fairly easy repair.  I got pretty much what Glass's Guide said for good condition, maybe £100 more.  It was fair enough.

Quick Update

 

Car has been confirmed as written off, which is also what my local specialists thought might happen.

 

Have just spoke to the insurers and they've offered me the first valuation of £5200, which is what the Parkers guide comes up at when I checked it yesterday. Rejected the offer and have made a comparable word document for 3 Blue vRS similar to mine, that are currently on Autotrader to negotiate a higher price. The negotiating wars begin!

 

On a side note, I've decided not to buy another vRS as I will always be comparing it to my old one and I know that the current ones on the market won't be as good. I've been looking at the Mazda 6 2.5, Mazda 6 MPS and the Ford Mondeo 2.5T models as my potential next car. Does anyone have any other suggestions that I should maybe look into?

Vectra VXR? They've got silly amounts of power and are massive if you get the estate.

 

Passat R36? Rare but nice with 4 wheel drive if you want that.

Ah buggar! Sorry to hear that Steve.

 

We all make mistakes and the main thing is it wasn't any worse and you're ok.

 

Is it a total claim from your insurance? Anything coming from the other person who ran into you?

 

The first accident also wasn't your fault. Unless the traffic on the motorway was at a standstill it is illegal to stop on a slip road. Although the traffic on the motorway has right of way you cannot stop so what the woman did was illegal and not something you could have anticipated happening. Did you get her details etc?

 

Phil

 

P.s. In terms a replacement car... Octavia 1.9 DSG? Love mine

Edited 3 January, 201412 yr by Phil-E

Air ride yeti

Vectra VXR? They've got silly amounts of power and are massive if you get the estate.

 

Passat R36? Rare but nice with 4 wheel drive if you want that.

 

Not a fan of Vauxhall in general mate and the handling is not comparable with other brands, Like the R36, but haven't got the time to wait around for a nice one unfortunately!

 

 

 

Ah buggar! Sorry to hear that Steve.

 

We all make mistakes and the main thing is it wasn't any worse and you're ok.

 

Is it a total claim from your insurance? Anything coming from the other person who ran into you?

 

The first accident also wasn't your fault. Unless the traffic on the motorway was at a standstill it is illegal to stop on a slip road. Although the traffic on the motorway has right of way you cannot stop so what the woman did was illegal and not something you could have anticipated happening. Did you get her details etc?

 

Phil

 

P.s. In terms a replacement car... Octavia 1.9 DSG? Love mine

 

Ah I'm not the Wardy you're thinking of, he hates the fact I share the same username !

 

I'm waiting to hear the outcome about who's at fault. I know it's illegal to stop on a slip road feeding onto a motorway, but not sure that applies for a dual carriage way? Yeh got her details and gave that to them.

 

Air ride yeti

 

Haha i'll pass on that one 

 

 

 

 

 

Going to look at a 2.5T Mondeo tomorrow, intrigued to see what the engine is like. Shares the same engine as the Focus ST, but slightly down on power, probably due to the extra weight. If a nice Mondeo Titanium X Sport were to come up, I'd probably take that in a heartbeat!

Another Quick Update:

 

Well I've just found that I'm not being held responsible and the liability is lying with the driver who hit me afterwards. The driver in front didn't make a claim against me also!

 

Great news for me as I'll get the £150 excess paid back and also not lose my 2 years NCB. 3 years up in February and then I can protect it

Not a fan of Vauxhall in general mate and the handling is not comparable with other brands, Like the R36, but haven't got the time to wait around for a nice one unfortunately!

 

I don't know what your budget is but how about this?

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312070392528/sort/default/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/iv316sd/keywords/r36/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

 

Aparently its got every extra fitted and it looks like a clean car. Its even got the VW version of the columbus satnav by the looks of it.

 

Or if you're feeling slightly mad

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312140535070/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/159/postcode/iv316sd/radius/1500/make/alfa_romeo?logcode=p

I don't know what your budget is but how about this?

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312070392528/sort/default/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/iv316sd/keywords/r36/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

 

Aparently its got every extra fitted and it looks like a clean car. Its even got the VW version of the columbus satnav by the looks of it.

 

Or if you're feeling slightly mad

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312140535070/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/159/postcode/iv316sd/radius/1500/make/alfa_romeo?logcode=p

 

 

I'm looking at around the £5-£7k area for my budget.

 

Haha I'd love to try one of those R36's, bet they're great fun, especially considering they're 4WD! Couldn't warrant paying that much for an Alfa, their reliabilty scares the hell out of me 

Difficult to explain the situation mate, but you have to look right else you get stuck on the end of a slip lane trying to get into traffic at 50mph. As for the other car hitting me, it was parked on a small grass verge next to the slip lane and then there's a row of trees, so couldn't really do anything else, especially considering i didn't know the damage extent of the car.

 

Will be glad when it's over, but going to be on mind all over christmas and new year as it's not likely to be sorted by then! I'll try to enjoy it though

i know the section you are talking about wardy it is an accident waiting to happen at that point 

glad your ok