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Original poster

Car written off - buying it back and any other advice please from those in the car/insurance/accident know for somebody with no previous experience?

93 replies

CarCalamity · 16/08/2022 00:12

NC. Our family car was hit by a dangerously-driven lorry last week. The DC were in the car with me and it was pretty scary especially because of that, but apart from shock we are all ok, which is obviously the main thing.

The car was taken off for assessment and repair, and as it wasn't driveable I was given a hire car. We live rurally and one of the DC is severely disabled. Public transport isn't available or accessible so a car is essential for daily life, hospital visits and so on.

The damage was, surprisingly given the size and speed of the lorry, quite minor and I had assumed the car would be repaired. The assessors have just informed me that they have written it off because, being an older car, it is not cost-effective to repair it. This is a bit of a blow as we were ok with the car, and dread the effort and cost of finding another used one, especially when we hear prices are up and availability down. They said the hire car will have to go back too a few days after they pay us out. Being without a car in a rural area while we find another one and with a severely disabled child is not going to be easy!

A possibility is apparently that we buy our car back? We would need to get it transported over from about an hour away, have it repaired and a new MOT. Has anybody done this, and what are the pros and cons please? Any advice on dealing with the assessors, insurance company and about the loss of the hire car so soon? With everything else going on in life, it couldn't have come at a worse time and I can't see the wood for the trees at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
SunflowerSmith · 16/08/2022 00:45

My husband is a vehicle damage assessor so I'll ask him, he's asleep now so I'll text him at work tomorrow and let you know what he says.

Threelittlelambs · 16/08/2022 00:51

There are plenty of cars available and I would start the hunt now whilst you have a car or contact a few garages about a replacement. This will give you an indication of what you current car is worth.

Inwouldnt buy it back as they are then categorized as being written off so resale is minimal.

if your child is disabled are you not entitled to a car via some scheme?

mattressspring · 16/08/2022 00:58

Threelittlelambs · 16/08/2022 00:51

There are plenty of cars available and I would start the hunt now whilst you have a car or contact a few garages about a replacement. This will give you an indication of what you current car is worth.

Inwouldnt buy it back as they are then categorized as being written off so resale is minimal.

if your child is disabled are you not entitled to a car via some scheme?

I agree I wouldn't buy it back either, get looking for something else.

OP would only be able to get a motability car if her DC got high rate mobility DLA, but I'm sure she knows that and for whatever reason it is not an option.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 16/08/2022 01:18

DH bought his back, got it MOTd and drove it until it died. No, reselling it would be difficult but if you're going to keep it, crack on.

TwoShades1 · 16/08/2022 07:01

Just buy a new car. Probably the easiest option unless you have VERY specific requirements or are very fussy.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 16/08/2022 07:04

I wouldn't buy it back and keep driving it - your insurance will pay you the value of the car. Just replace it.

I wrote mine off in an accident a couple of years ago when someone drove into the side of me. I had a courtesy car within hours and the money for a new car in my account within days.

LearnedAxolotl · 16/08/2022 07:09

Depends on the category of total loss as to whether you can buy it back.

Id ask the insurance co how much they're offering you, (NEVER accept the first offer - go on autotrader and look for how much cars like yours are actually selling for and use that to negotiate a higher offer) how much the repair was quoted at and how much an equivalent car would cost you to buy. Do the sums then make a decision. Bear in mind that garages doing an insurance job will often bump up the price over what they'd charge a private customer so a private repair may be cheaper. They won't let you buy it back if it's structurally damaged so there's no concerns there.

Although there are huge issues with supplies of parts at the moment, if you can even get it booked in as garages are so busy. Speak to your chosen garage to see how long it's going to take because if your car is off the road for 3 months because of parts delays you're going to be screwed anyway. You won't be able to use it in the meantime because it's not got a valid MOT.

DesignerRecliner · 16/08/2022 07:17

I work for an insurance firm in this area, don't buy it back. Any insurance cover in future would be affected as the car is already a write-off & getting it repaired will be a nightmare due to parts.

When they offer you the value of the total loss (the write off amount) ask them which of the car valuing guides they've used to assess the vehicle. This should be CAPS, Glass or Cazana as they're the industry standard ones. They should use 2 or 3 and take an average figure, this is also what the Financial Ombudsman service do.

If you feel the offer is unreasonable, make a complaint and you can later refer it to FOS if you're still unhappy, this is free for you to do. Hope this helps Flowers

DesignerRecliner · 16/08/2022 07:18

Also, it's standard for the hire car to be returned within a week of the total loss payment being offered. This wouldn't l change if you made a complaint so be mindful of getting a new car asap.

CredibilityProblem · 16/08/2022 07:20

Great advice from LearnedAxolotl.

Second hand cars are so expensive at the moment that it may well make sense to keep this one, depending on how long it will take to fix it, but you'll need to do your sums and haggle hard for the writeoff value from the insurer, making sure their offer is realistic for current second hand values.

Michellebops · 16/08/2022 07:21

We had the option of buying ours back after it was written off. My partner loved that car and was tempted to buy it back.
It has went into limp mode and that was the main reason we didn't as didn't really know anyone who could repair it.

We had recently added a tow bar so I didn't accept the first offer as we'd have that expense again on a new car. So they upped the offer which to be fair was actually double what the car was worth, but in comparison we ended up with a car payment we didn't bargain on during maternity leave for me.

Either way have a look on car sites and see if there is a like for like available and price it so you're one step ahead when it comes to the offer. There are plenty of cars available and prices are coming down now.

OhWifey · 16/08/2022 07:35

Your insurer needs to offer you the value of replacing your car like for like. So it doesn't matter if second hand prices are high. As PP have said, have a look around now, and when they call you, negotiate until you get enough for the new car. They fully expect to negotiate. I hated the idea of it but it was actually very easy.

sunsoutmumsout · 16/08/2022 07:39

Funnily enough I was watching a tv programme last night about it being illegal for companies to sell written off cars? But I guess if you are buying it back with no intention to sell on (as you won't be able to) then it's a case of finding someone to repair it which may not be possible given the wait on spare parts at the moment

Russell19 · 16/08/2022 07:47

I was in a similar situation where mine was written off, had a hire car but needed to find a new car before they paid me out. They were coming to collect the hire car the day after they'd paid out so I just ignored their calls for a few days while I looked for a new car to give me some extra time, then I told them I was going away for the weekend and then luckily I found a car and negotiated what they were offering and was happy with it. Don't forget things like Bluetooth systems or car seats or anything of additional value as they should be paying out for that too.

DazzlePaintedBattlePants · 16/08/2022 07:53

My FIL was in a similar situation and took the money, but only because garages said they couldn’t even look at the car until October..

AndreaC74 · 16/08/2022 08:05

Keep arguing with the insurance company over the payout, that way you'll get a better offer and keep the hire care for longer.

this will give you the time to see if its worth buying back etc or a new car.

I'd only buy back if its a cat N write off i.e no structural damage, unlike if hit hard by a truck & if the repair can be done quickly.

tapdancingmum · 16/08/2022 08:16

I bought mine back but only because the damage caused was a split in the bumper. Due to the age of my car and the price of parts they wrote it off. We repaired it with some super glue and a £50 cover.

Due to the damage my insurance has not been affected and I didn't need a special MOT to make sure it was roadworthy.

I would only buy it back if the damage is cosmetic and you won't try to sell it on in the future. I will drive mine until it dies and it has 188,000 on the clock and doesn't look like doing so anytime soon!

Shade17 · 16/08/2022 08:32

But I guess if you are buying it back with no intention to sell on (as you won't be able to)

Of course she will, don’t talk shit.

OP, it’s very common that people do this but it really comes down to the amount of damage. Quite often people do it themselves which is where the savings come in - if they get paid £2k and spend £250 on used parts they’re quids in. The issue you may face is one of time - have you got a repairer lined up and what timescales have you been quoted?

sunsoutmumsout · 16/08/2022 08:48

@Shade17

No need to be rude.

That's not the Impression I got from last nights TV!

LovettsPies · 16/08/2022 09:06

Recently happened to me with a car I really liked. The state of the market meant 3rd party’s insurance paid me 2.5 times what the car had originally cost. Their second offer was 10% higher than the first.

I looked into repairing, but it just wasn’t worth the time and effort. Bought it back and sold it for scrap instead. Combined with the payout, this allowed me to buy another car (private seller on eBay) that is newer, better equipped and with lower miles.

Moving on can be the better option.

MissDollyMix · 16/08/2022 09:34

Ok, so massive warning OP but I drive a regular car, nothing fancy, it’s a very common make/model. I’ve needed two bits of body work done on it this year. It’s took 5 months for the garage to get the first part (new bumper) in and another 4 weeks to fit it. I’m still waiting for a new windscreen. There is a massive delay on car parts at the moment and if you’re waiting for your old car to be repaired, I would expect a 3-6 month wait for European car parts and 6+ months for Japanese car parts. Would be quicker to buy a new car.

MissDollyMix · 16/08/2022 09:34

It’s taken not took!

Original poster
CarCalamity · 16/08/2022 10:10

Wow - thank you all. Just catching up now...

OP posts:
Itreallyistimetogo · 16/08/2022 10:18

What category write off is it? That is important.

Original poster
CarCalamity · 16/08/2022 10:20

My husband is a vehicle damage assessor so I'll ask him, he's asleep now so I'll text him at work tomorrow and let you know what he says.
Thank you @SunflowerSmith

OP posts: