4 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

Are you a subscriber to that channel? I am, and it is a must-watch channel in my eyes, they have taken on all kinds of cars, even EVs. Some of the cars, like that Golf will be, are turned around with just the Chris and Rob working on them (apart from paint, which they farm out) are so often turned around and restored to as good as new again in a just few days, sometimes, the same day.

I'm not so sure your theory is correct, it might be in your area, but there are loads of accident repair centres around here. When my Superb was taken to the insurers preferred body shop, the estimator said it would be about £5.5k for a new front bumper, grill, N/s, bonnet, wing and headlight and the bonnet had a slight bend on the edge where it met the grill and the wing, which could easily be straightened. They valued the car at £7k and that was their final value and fixed offer. That was the broker and I said I was not happy with that as other cars, with more miles were costing £11k so I declined.

In the meantime, I went to the first body shop to remove some personal items as I felt that the car might be written, and discovered that they had done further damage to the car while it was in their care. The person who I spoke to there had said that it was a lovely car and that they were looking to buy it from the insurer. That struck me as being rather odd.

After more wrangling, the broker passed it over the underwriters, who said that they would return the car to me as it should not have been taken away and left without my permission and that they would have it reassessed, which they did, but still not enough, then I found three example of similar spec, age, condition cars on Autotrader (driven over a 1,200 miles looking at other cars) and submitted the findings, and they did eventually lift their offer to £10,500 which I accepted and found another for £11.5K but a MK3.

So there it is, it was purchased from Copart way under the asking price (circa £2k) and was back on the road 2 weeks later, so it would have been far cheaper to have had repaired in the first place without body shops trying to rip the insurance companies off. I think that they have made the whole process more expensive and time-consuming by relying on body shops quotes and photos, instead of inspecting the damage themselves.

Yes, I’ve been watching them since the days of Fiestas and fiat 500s when Chris wouldn’t appear on camera !

When I scraped my Octavia a few years ago I went to a local bodyshop paid £750 +vat directly to them, he said if I wanted a quote for insurance it would be over £2,000

Edited 29 October, 202529 Oct by classic

2 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

That kind of attitude is how this country has gone down hill. The whole point of what I explained, is all to do with the way that Salvage Rebuilds UK can take a crashed car and rebuild for considerably less than the official repair quote was for that lead to the car being sold as scrap and the insurance paid out far more then was actually necessary.

In a few days time, the second part to the video that @classic shared will be ready and the entire costs of buying the car, the parts and their selling price will be revealed, it is an eye-opener for sure, and I think you will find, all for less than the payout was to owner.

It's a shame that other companies weren't as honest as Salvage Rebuilds UK are.

If it' is an "S" or "N" it is by definition repairable only "A" and "B" are non-repairable.

Youtubers can repair the car because they use the car as "Content" which pays them for repairing it.

Some Cars probably yours included was repairable if someone could get hold of it cheap enough and still make a profit after costs.

Not many challenge a write off figure for a month and get to keep the hire car. As soon as the offer is accepted the hire car ends. So saves the Insurance company a fortune. The Insurance company are also more likely to insist on Genuine parts for the repairs too, Cars bought from copart can be repaired with whatever the repairer choose.

It's annoying when it happens but unfortunately it is what it is.

58 minutes ago, classic said:

Yes, I’ve been watching them since the days of Fiestas and fiat 500s when Chris wouldn’t appear on camera !

When I scraped my Octavia a few years ago I went to a local bodyshop paid £750 +vat directly to them, he said if I wanted a quote for insurance it would be over £2,000

That helps to explain why the insurance costs are so high. But sadly this line of discussion has been derailed as folk have misunderstood the direction of my post, it was only really about the case of the EV battery as in the case of the Ford truck in Canada when the entire truck was written off with no visible damage to the battery pack itself when it had been proved it could have been repaired, as demonstrated in the video at a fraction of the cost and the truck thus saved from being scraped. I could 100% understand it being written off if the battery had shown signs that the integrity had been compromised, but it didn't and if the owner is to be believed, it was not even inspected. That was what I found so shocking, not my own personal experience as I was able fight my corner and get a sensible resolution out of it.

I did think about buying my old car back and having it repaired, but 2 things held me back, 1/ I needed a car as it was in use daily to get my Sons to the place of works, 1 of whom needs a 26-mile round trip with very poor public transport connections 2/ The instant I accept a deal, the hire car ceases within 24 hours and no hire car company would entertain hiring me a car at my age, which I discovered when I went to hire a small van to move some furniture, prior to my accident.

Maybe the Pickup in Canada will be repaired and not broken for parts, including the Battery Pack.

Maybe the owner could buy it, or some buddy in the Motor Trade and do the cosmetic repairs.

Maybe the Insurers will be OK insuring it.

Like UK insurers are, not bothering about a Proper Electrical Check, replacement Seat Belts or Airbags being fitted,

just put through a MOT or sometimes not even that.

Leased / Rented BEV,s are going to be a different from ones people might own and that they can have repairs done on in any way that suits them.

Edited 29 October, 202529 Oct by Evolution13

For a fan of EV cars I would have thought given the case as he presented, (granted we only have his word for) that you might have been just a tad more interested in the story!

Hs stated at the end of that video that his mechanic said that the damage that was done to the truck would be about $25k, but with the replacement battery it would come to $84k when the truck new only costs $70k.

Did you actually watch the video, or have you just assumed that the insurer was correct?

@Graham Butcher I am a driver of EV,s just as i am a driver of ICE vehicles and was a driver of Offroaders and Modified cars. A Fan boy maybe.

The Insurers were taking the P!th. Absolutely, and the vlogger was stuffed.

As happens here.

As i posted first after you posted the video, no revelations or anything different from as things happen very very often.

Independent Engineers Reports can help, but if Main Dealer Technician is not supporting you or a Importer you can be stuffed.

PS

If the Dude could buy the Pickup up as part of the settlement then on the word of "his mechanic" then that would be a No Brainer to do. No Battery Pack damage.

Someone might be getting a bargain...

Edited 29 October, 202529 Oct by Evolution13

8 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@Graham Butcher I am a driver of EV,s just as i am a driver of ICE vehicles and was a driver of Offroaders and Modified cars. A Fan boy maybe.

The Insurers were taking the P!th. Absolutely, and the vlogger was stuffed.

As happens here.

As i posted first after you posted the video, no revelations or anything different from as things happen very very often.

Independent Engineers Reports can help, but if Main Dealer Technician is not supporting you or a Importer you can be stuffed.

PS

If the Dude could buy the Pickup up as part of the settlement then on the word of "his mechanic" then that would be a No Brainer to do. No Battery Pack damage.

Someone might be getting a bargain...

Oh, I see, that is not how your post read, it seemed that you had zero sympathy for the bloke and that it was another vlogger slagging off EV's, and that is honestly how it read. That is why I often go back into my posts just after posting them, trying to make it come across clearly by attempting to correct any obvious grammar, spelling mistakes or the phrasing to assist in clarifying the post.

The Autotrader video (which I had already watched when it was released, I like Rory Reed), you added to your post, is what we desperately need a lot more of and is yet more proof of what I was saying earlier that the technology has a long way to go yet and needs to be sorted before there should be any legislation about all new cars have to be electric.

Edited 29 October, 202529 Oct by Graham Butcher

@Graham Butcher Read it as you like.

Make up your own story about Zero sympathy. I just said, that is how things are EV or ICE vehicle.

My sympathy helps nobody, but when i can help someone here getting screwed over i do try to.

Really what does it matter about EV,s and not yet where they need ro be technology wise to you?

clearly are not getting one.

Edited 29 October, 202529 Oct by Evolution13

Just now, Evolution13 said:

@Graham Butcher Read it as you like.

Make up your own story about Zero sympathy.

Really what does it matter about EV,s to you, you clearly are not getting one.

Makes zero difference if I get one or not, that's totally irrelevant, you now know that I'm not going to get one, how do you know that?

As the technology develops and the current bugs and infrastructure get ironed out, I might do that, as I said earlier, as my need/desire for longer trips to airshows etc wane and my drives are more local, to the shops and family members.

All are within the range of even a mini electric, except for one, who lives on the Isle of Wight, I could visit and make it back on the single overnight home charge twice over.

That statement of yours is what I expect to come from some of the closed mind set participants of this thread, not from a person with a foot in both EV and ICE camps, tsk.

GOV.UK

Government looks to slash red tape to make charging elect...

Reforms will open up affordable home charging to thousands more households

Newest government EV news, straight from horse's mouth.

"

The plans would make it easier for renters and leaseholders to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers by mandating chargepoints in new covered car parks and consulting on removing planning permission currently needed for those without driveways to install discreet cross pavement charging gullies, as the government bolsters its drive to make it easier than ever to plug in wherever you live.

"

Guess they aren't afraid of charging in covered car parks.

Removing red tape on cross pavement could open up more possibilities for more people. Including those in this thread that insists they "may" get EV's.

^^^ The UK / Westminster Government, Announcement relevant to England.

2 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

^^^ The UK / Westminster Government, Announcement relevant to England.

So applies to 84% of the UK population, you are of course technically correct but new law will apply to the vast majority of the UK people.

18 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

GOV.UK

Government looks to slash red tape to make charging elect...

Reforms will open up affordable home charging to thousands more households

Newest government EV news, straight from horse's mouth.

"

The plans would make it easier for renters and leaseholders to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers by mandating chargepoints in new covered car parks and consulting on removing planning permission currently needed for those without driveways to install discreet cross pavement charging gullies, as the government bolsters its drive to make it easier than ever to plug in wherever you live.

"

Guess they aren't afraid of charging in covered car parks.

Removing red tape on cross pavement could open up more possibilities for more people. Including those in this thread that insists they "may" get EV's.

Well that is really welcome news for many I'm sure, however, as it is also law that nobody has the exclusive rights to park outside their own house, it being very often a free for all, first to the spot gets it, that news about the gully is little comfort unless they also make illegal for anyone other the owner, to park where a gully is installed. Does anyone remember the sitcom of the 1980s called Bread, where the Boswell family used to put out traffic cones to keep their space outside the house clear so Joey could park his Mk2 Jag there, that could become a reality in some areas and fights in the street.

For example, I live in short close (no through road) I live 2nd from the dead end, my neighbour on the right, has 2 cars, my neighbours on my left, thats 5 houses in a row, have 3 cars to each house, so thats a total of 15 cars to fit in, so there is little chance of being able to park adjacent to your own gully in order to charge your car, unless you make sure the first one to get home.

Seeing as the UK government also had the charging points removed from their own covered car park in Westminster, that news you linked once again smacks of hypocrisy, its not good enough for them, but it is for everyone else. A clear example of dual standards.

Edited 29 October, 202529 Oct by Graham Butcher

27 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

Seeing as the UK government also had the charging points removed from their own covered car park in Westminster

That old chestnut.

Source or get reported.

@lol-lol A good point well made, even if it is actually 80% (or 84% AI) of the UK population that are in the 53% of the UK that is England. The law will apply to just over half of the UK,s land mass.

AI must be taken with a pinch of salt, as must Statements made here by @Graham Butcher maybe.

There was Press Coverage on 'Westminster' Charge Points, near the Parliament, but then these could not be found last time the subject was posted about.

Edited 30 October, 202530 Oct by Evolution13

11 hours ago, wyx087 said:

That old chestnut.

Source or get reported.

Maybe this

https://highways-news.com/westminster-mps-lose-ev-charging-points/#:~:text=Charging%20points%20in%20New%20Palace%20Yard's%20underground,*%20**Availability%20of%20adequate%20infrastructure%20and%20power**

AI response to the query

Edited 30 October, 202530 Oct by Stonekeeper

52 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@lol-lol A good point well made, even if it is actually 80% (or 84% AI) of the UK population that are in the 53% of the UK that is England. The law will apply to just over half of the UK,s land mass.

AI must be taken with a pinch of salt, as must Statements made here by @Graham Butcher maybe.

There was Press Coverage on 'Westminster' Charge Points, near the Parliament, but then these could not be found last time the subject was posted about.

Oh doubter, I think you will find that I actually posted the link to the UK government removing charging from their HOP underground car park, anyway a quick search on Google revealed these snippets of golden nuggets.

You know, I'm beginning to think that the MacMaster has it right about some of the EV owners!

Not Zero! Parliament scraps its own EV chargers due to 'health and safety' | This is Money

Electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the New Palace Yard car park at the Houses of Parliament have been removed for health and safety reasons, following a review by safety and fire teams. The decision was made because of concerns about potential fire risks and the inability for EVs to be charged overnight. Four charging points in Speaker's Court are still available but require a special charging card. 

• Reason for removal: Safety and fire teams reviewed the charging points and determined they posed a health and safety risk. A key concern was that EVs could not be left to charge overnight, reports Safer Highways.

• Where they were removed: The chargers were removed from the underground car park in New Palace Yard.

• What remains: A limited number of charging points remain in Speaker's Court, but these are only accessible to those who have a charging card obtained from the Speaker's Office.

• Future plans: The House of Commons has stated its intention to increase charging capacity in the long term, but future provision will depend on the latest EV and fire safety guidance and the availability of infrastructure. 

There is somewhere a Hansard document also to this effect.

So it would seem that the government were at the time concerned about the possibility of them catching fire, oh, no, hang on, but I think you'll find according to the stats that diesels are far more likely to catch fire 🤣

Edited 30 October, 202530 Oct by Graham Butcher

So the PALACE YARD is a covered car park?

An Underground or overground covered car park?

Just interested as i read the post that said "Seeing as the UK government had the charging points removed from their own covered car park in Westminster."

Edited 30 October, 202530 Oct by Evolution13

12 hours ago, wyx087 said:

That old chestnut.

Source or get reported.

Source was posted at the time, and @Stonekeeper and I have once again posted some sources, of which are all on Google, a few simple clicks and you have it.

@Graham Butcher Do you remember the last time you could not come up with the Article on the Palace Courtyard.

The Power of Google / AI is with us now. Like all improving technology.

2 hours ago, Evolution13 said:

@lol-lol A good point well made, even if it is actually 80% (or 84% AI) of the UK population that are in the 53% of the UK that is England. The law will apply to just over half of the UK,s land mass.

AI must be taken with a pinch of salt, as must Statements made here by @Graham Butcher maybe.

There was Press Coverage on 'Westminster' Charge Points, near the Parliament, but then these could not be found last time the subject was posted about.

there is nothing new in requiring charge points and cabling in covered car parks - schemes I have worked on for a number of years back to 2021 have included MSCPs with provision of active and passive charge points... we've also been including similar arrangements for ebikes.

3 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

So the PALACE YARD is a covered car park?

An Underground or overground covered car park?

Just interested as i read the post that said "Seeing as the UK government had the charging points removed from their own covered car park in Westminster."

It is the underground car park, this is also made clear by the fact that the article also makes reference to chargers in speakers court area of the estate. This plan view shows the areas and a quick look on Google Earth Pro will also show the New Palace yard to be open-plan area behind large security fences which is the public entrance. The same view will also show the barriers to the underground car park as I indeed previously mentioned. I have spent many hours on crown estates in my working life, including Buck House and HOP and the surrounding offices of MOD etc, I would not make things up.

@Graham Butcher Fantastic.

But back after you first posted a few years back you repeated what you posted, but could not find the article.

Now you have had your Weetabix and you have Google at your finger tip. Amazing.

9 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@Graham Butcher Do you remember the last time you could not come up with the Article on the Palace Courtyard.

The Power of Google / AI is with us now. Like all improving technology.

And likewise, it was available to anybody else at the time, so if I couldn't find it (thought I did) anybody else could have done and discovered I was right? Sometimes you and others post things and make some passing reference/comment to something, what do I do, I try and find it myself so I can actually understand what people are talking about, I try and usually succeed to do my own research instead of having it handed to me on a plate 😒

Wonderful.

I like charging at Dynamic Earth in the Underground Car Park. Handy for the Scottish Parliament visits.

If there is ever a fire there maybe the visitors will mistake it for action from the extinct volcano it is next to.

Edited 30 October, 202530 Oct by Evolution13