So, i had my first 'incident' in the Octavia this evening! Looked at the car behind as i thought it was a bit close, looked forward at a stationary Mini...ABS did nothing and locked up on a wet road.....not good. The other driver was a bit annoyed, but fine apart from that, so at least the important things are all well, thankfully.

 

My query now though, is do i take it upon myself to replace the damaged parts myself, or go through my insurance? The 3rd party may claim for his number plate and cracked chrome trim (The only apparent damage to his Mini!) so i think i will have a fault against me anyway, but my excess is £250....

 

Looking at the car, it looks as though a new bonnet and bumper support are a definite requirement. The bumper looks to be scuffed, but not overly damaged, and (What i assume is) the intercooler (In front of the Radiator?) has a few bent fins...

 

There looks to be a metal piece bent beside both headlights? No idea what they should look like? Pics attached to show what's been done :/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Straightened it as best i could, it now closes properly and latches as it should...the intercooler fins were bent by the bumper support, that's been pulled out a bit too. the main panels/legs etc seem fine and the headlights are still pointing as they should, no change in beam pattern at all!

 

 

 

 

 

What do you guys think? My current idear is either a FL conversion if possible, or fit a VRS front bumper with a used bonnet and paint the grille, if used parts aren't going to far outweigh the excess....if i can't get the same color, i could well use this as an excuse to get all the little dents around the car filled and painted anyway as i know a pretty good sprayer who is also pretty keenly priced...

 

And the damage to the Mini?....

 

crash bar will prob need replacing too.. i had a very low speed shunt when someone reversed his 4x4 into me and EVERYTHING was out of line on the front after a new bumper, headlight and headlight mount..

 

the radiator on the front is possibly air-con? if cracked will need replace/regas.

If he's going to claim (I'm guessing there is more damage to the mini underneath compared to what has happened to yours) so you may as well claim.

Fl conversion would require new wings as well I think.

I'm currently feeling a bit unsure of claiming...it's an 8yr old car and would probably be written off...although if it is i would imagine it to be a Cat C or D so could buy it back and use any cash to either FL it, or VR rep it and get a remap etc...

 

But then if it is just a case of unbolting some parts and replacing them without a claim, it doesn't get written off...I know a Rep or FL will be a lot more than £250, but would have though a new bumper, support, crash bar and bonnet would be achievable if i can find a rear ended octy...

 

The mini will be going through insurance so i will be getting a mark against me anyway, but my NCD is protected so won't lose it. If I go through insurance, i get a written of car to repair myself (I can't imagine genuine parts are cheap from Skoda!) with the possibility of a buy back...

 

One thing that has bugged me though.....what kind of impact should set off the airbags? Nothing went off, no lights came on so i guess it wasn't hard enough?...

That or they don't work.

Personally, if they're claiming, you may as well. They will almost certainly write it off. Time for a new car mate.

A lot of air bags won't activate under 12 mph.

Time for a new car?? Only had this one a few weeks! :(

Had an assessment a little while ago. The repairer (East Bilney Coachworks) said he reckons it will be a repair rather than write off, just have to get approval from the insurers

Happy about that, but at the same time i can't help but be slightly disappointed :/