Rear end shunt - any advice?

[zud]

Basically, i stopped at a zebra crossing and the guy behind didn't.  I've reported it to my ins co (Direct Line) and they've confirmed his details/car check out, and he has insurance.  So should be Ok as far as the claim goes.  The bumper is complely mangled, the panel above looks OK, but bends in at the bottom and out at the top (gap between spoiler and engine lid).  The wings look OK and no damage to lights, but the wheel arch liners are squashed in at the bottom.  I'm OK, but have slight signs of a stiff back/neck (I'll see how I am tomorrow).

So here's the choice...
1.  Go with DL's nominated garage and car hire company.  Everything should run smoothly with my car picked up and delivered back; hire car for however long; no need to pay out the money and claim it back later.

2.  Insist the car is repaired by my local MrT.  I need to get quote, deliver car, arrange courtesy car, pay for the repair and then claim back.  I went this route with my Alfa, and it took loads of phone calls and faxes to get the money back... and Alfa outsourced the repair to a third party anyway!

So, it kooks like a no-brainer, go for option 1.  But what if there's any engine damage?... for example, the exhaust sounds slightly louder to me, so maybe a slight "leak" somewhere(?)  Do I want MrT to check out the engine, geometry and/or whatever, rather than a 3rd party garage?

Any thoughts?

[darrenjuggins]

IMHO:

I had mine done at Pro Panel at Doncaster after a little ice skating accident !

They did a fantastic job and the car looked fab.

Remember repairing is what they do day in day out.  They used the local toyota garage for all the parts and advice no doub't on rebilding the suspension.

I think option 1 is fine.

Unless your Toyota Garage has a body shop you will find that they will take it in, then ship it off to just another bodyshop that they deal with, which will undoubtly be no better than the one the insurance company use.

Hope the repair (which ever option) goes smoothly and your back running again very shortly.

Cheers

Darren J

[zud]

Thanks Darren, I think you're right.  I've spoken to MrT and they confirmed the body work would be out-sourced.  
My only niggling doubt is mechanical things, and whether they'd do the same kind of geometry tests (if any) that mrT would carry out.

[Liz]

My only niggling doubt is mechanical things, and whether they'd do the same kind of geometry tests (if any) that mrT would carry out.

Hi Zud, sorry to hear about your accident, don't know if you remember this



this was taken to my insurers nominated garage, you can see the lasar check with the red light on the left of the picture where they were checking it was all in line...apart from taking a bit of time to do they did a top job, and replaced a sensor which was damaged when they found that the engine management light came on when they tested it. I was adament about it going to Mr T when this happened, but more than happy with the job that was done by this garage, as has been said, they repair cars for a living.

[GSB]

and replaced a sensor which was damaged when they found that the engine management light came on when they tested it.

3rd O2 sensor? The wire runs right behind the impact site on your car...

[Liz]

Must of been that one Grant, you know me and car bits!!   s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  
Shows that they done the job properly though.

[darrenjuggins]

Hi,

Parts wise I had the whole rear suspension (Left Side, like Liz's) replaced.

When they road tested it, they also found it needed a new front joint or something (doh - not technical I know!)

But - I've had it back for over a year now and mechnically I am prepared to push it like i did before (just my ego that was dented, which causes me to be more cautious in the wet and cold!)

Remember - you will normally get 3 years on body parts, paint, etc and the full year on mechnical items (Manufacutuer warranty).

so you have plenty of recourse if it's not right.

I know it's always in the back of your mind, it's not as it was before the accident, but they are just parts and as long as they are fitted and aligned correctly, should work equally as good, if not better (as they are new!) than the old ones.....

Alot of what you experience is phycological (you know it's been painted or repaired!)

anyway - hope you get it sorted soon.

Cheers

Darren J

[zud]

Thanks for the replies!!  I've also had a chat with someone at the garage that DL nominated, and with my local MrT.  Between them, Darren and Liz  I'm happy to use the DL place.  I'm just waiting for the other guy's insurance to accept liability and agree to a hire car, then I'll book it in.  

I'm currently driving it with the addition of "go faster stripes" made from white gaffer tape!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:   It sounds a bit louder (which is OK!), and the handling doesn't feel any different (without really pushing it), so I'm reasonably hopeful all will end up OK.