So what was the point of that then? Car written off but raised from the dead

[OrmRenewed]

Our car was written off by the insurers engineer yesterday. Not that surprising as it's S Reg and the damage was quite expensive. But we want to keep it - with old cars better the devil you know is my opinion and it's been reliable and cheap to run. So they are willing to pay the write-off value, minus excess and 250 for salvage. And the remaining amount more than covers the repairs costs..... so why write it off?

The logic eludes me

It depends which category it was. I hope it isn't category A or B as that means you aren't allowed to repair it - the engineer has decided that the damage to critical components is such that the car cannot be repaired safely.

If it is in category C they will have assessed the repair costs using the list prices for parts and labour. If you use a cheap garage and/or second hand parts you may be able to repair the car for significantly less than the insurance estimate.

If it is in category D the car wasn't written off due to the repair costs. Other factors such as replacement car hire being too costly or too long a lead time on getting a part have led to it being written off.

IT was 'C' ph47. They wouldn't have let us do it if it was A or B.

The garage we took it too originally quoted us 1200 - 1500 to fix but that price included the MOT as well. So we may well do OK.

Thanks

I would have been seriously worried if they'd let you have a category A or B car back!

As it is category C, their estimate of costs must be rather higher than your garage's quote. As long as your garage do a decent job you'll be fine - a car that works plus some money in your pocket! That's what I call a result, especially after the worry you had initially about your MOT.

Yep!

Am feeling quite chipper I must admit. Assuming there aren't any nasty little extra surprises on the MOT. But I suspect our insurance premiums may well hurt a bit more now...

And nothing from the police about a FPN for driving without an MOT.

Insurers have to use brand new parts, regardless of the age of the car, so while it may be economical for an owner to buy back the written-off car and fix it with reconditioned or used parts, the insurance company can't do this.

Good news, though.

It is very good news!

THe steering rack has to be brand new though. Not sure what else needs doing but I guess they could be the using second-hand. Apparetly the inspector hardly looked at the damage before writing it off.