Our Rav4.1 Crash

[Ady-Rav4]

Just got to share my misery, I feel sick. We will be losing our loved RAV4.1 after my other half crashed into the back of a Saab estate on Sunday Sept.5th. We are both devastated. She is a very good carefull driver, she can't believe she was so stupid. I'm now just waiting for the dreaded 'Beyond economic repair' telephone call within the next day or so. We have owned this RAV for 3 years, It's washed every week and well looked after. Take a look at the photos and feel free to cry along with me. Wot a loss.

[davidisom]

Hi,

I am so sorry that you car has been damaged. It looks in such good condition otherwise. I hope the insurance company treat you fairly (who are you with?)

Let us know howw you get on. Hopefully you will be able to find something to replace it that you are happy with. All the best David

[Big Kev]

Depending on whether or not you have caused any floor pan / chassis warping, I have seen worse than that repaired.

Sympathy regardless....you obviously looked after it.

Big Kev

[Davrav]

Depending on whether or not you have caused any floor pan / chassis warping, I have seen worse than that repaired.

Sympathy regardless....you obviously looked after it.

Big Kev

Hmmm - Looks ugly but a lot of that is bolt on stuff. If, as Kev says, there is no structural buckling it could be repaired. These are tough motors. Get an estimate from a competent repair outfit and then see what your insurance company offer - it may well be that, if they write it off, you could buy it back and get the repairs done yourself.

I wish you luck as you have obviously puy a lot of time and effort into the car :(

[Ady-Rav4]

Depending on whether or not you have caused any floor pan / chassis warping, I have seen worse than that repaired.

Sympathy regardless....you obviously looked after it.

Big Kev

Thanks Big Kev for the comment and having a cry aswell. I too have seen worse than that repaired with our works vans over the years. Susan, my other half (who's fault it was :( ) thinks it can be repaired from what she has seen with her own eyes, and I agree too. But it's the engineer doing the cost of it all that makes the final decision isn't it. Toyota parts are expensive, thats why I fear the worst. I don't even know which garage is doing the estimate for the insurance company. The cross section that the radiator sits on has been pushed and bent inwards. The radiator has bust, as you can see, and is now pushed up against the cooling fan, thats what made my mind up that they'll write it off.

[Ady-Rav4]

Hi,

I am so sorry that you car has been damaged. It looks in such good condition otherwise. I hope the insurance company treat you fairly (who are you with?)

Let us know howw you get on. Hopefully you will be able to find something to replace it that you are happy with. All the best David

Thanks David for your nice comments. Our RAV is, or was, indeed in great condition. I actually wanted a RAV4.2 but Susan, my partner, has always loved the RAV4.1s so a .1 it had to be, but we both agreed it must be a black one. I have to say I took to it and love it as much as she does. it really does have character. We looked upon this RAV to last us another 3 years before we would probably have to change it for a 4.2, so as for now we are not sure what to do if it is written off. We are with Post Office Insurance, but that's just the up-front honest name. The actual insurance company is Premier Insurance Underwriters. The accident happened Sunday, it's now Tuesday eve.....waiting. I hate this situation so much. Still feeling sick! OK, I'll let you know whats what when we find out. Cheers.

[Ady-Rav4]

Depending on whether or not you have caused any floor pan / chassis warping, I have seen worse than that repaired.

Sympathy regardless....you obviously looked after it.

Big Kev

Hmmm - Looks ugly but a lot of that is bolt on stuff. If, as Kev says, there is no structural buckling it could be repaired. These are tough motors. Get an estimate from a competent repair outfit and then see what your insurance company offer - it may well be that, if they write it off, you could buy it back and get the repairs done yourself.

I wish you luck as you have obviously puy a lot of time and effort into the car :(

Thanks for your comments Davrav. You're right, it does look ugly, that's why 2 days later I still feel sick. I've not been in this situation before, so any advice like yours can be helpful as I'm in a sort of panic what to do . If it's written off due to 'beyond economic repair' (which I think it will be) I want to see the actual assesment of the parts and cost etc of the repair. So, if I have a chance to buy it back, I will know what I'm up against cause at the moment I have no spare cash up front. But it might be cheaper to do this if also the insu.co. offer me a reasonable ammount after deductions. I know of a good local car bodyshop who do most of the local Toyota Garage repairs. My partner, Susan, wants it back so much. God, I'm all to pieces here! :(

[trevnhil]

Re..."I know of a good local car body shop who do most of the local Toyota Garage repairs"

Whilst you are waiting for THE insurers to inspect and make a decision, can you not get that local body shop to have a look and give you an idea of the costs.

Trev..

[Big Kev]

Re..."I know of a good local car body shop who do most of the local Toyota Garage repairs"

Whilst you are waiting for THE insurers to inspect and make a decision, can you not get that local body shop to have a look and give you an idea of the costs.

Trev..

Corr Stroof, Trev.....Ah thought you were offering to fly Ady and broken Rav over to Cyprus to get his car fixed by a mate of yours then !!!!! That would have meant revealing your whole address after all, and guess what?.....Ady would have arrived with his New Best Pal......

Big Kev.

[Davrav]

Re..."I know of a good local car body shop who do most of the local Toyota Garage repairs"

Whilst you are waiting for THE insurers to inspect and make a decision, can you not get that local body shop to have a look and give you an idea of the costs.

Trev..

You have nothing to lose by getting them to give you a quote. Another alternative, if there is no major structural deformation, is to source used parts e.g. radiator, bonnet etc to reduce costs. All hinges on whether there is re-alignment needed should the floor pan be buckled in any way.

[Parts-King]

From what I can see from the photo's I have just done a quick calculation and the parts alone are just shy of £2000, plus labour and paint. I am afraid it will be total loss. Yes you could put it back together, it looks mainly superficial, but at that sort of cost it would not be viable. These things happen and nobody was injured so you and your other half will feel better about it when all the paperwork is done Lets hope you can get another RAV soon

Kingo

[trevnhil]

Come on Kev.... I'm a Newbie, but not that Green.

Seeing how good that Rav looks I would want to get it repaired .

Trev..

[Hoovie]

Hi,

I am so sorry that you car has been damaged. It looks in such good condition otherwise. I hope the insurance company treat you fairly (who are you with?)

Let us know howw you get on.  Hopefully you will be able to find something to replace it that you are happy with.  All the best David

Thanks David for your nice comments. Our RAV is, or was, indeed in great condition. I actually wanted a RAV4.2 but Susan, my partner, has always loved the RAV4.1s so a .1 it had to be, but we both agreed it must be a black one. I have to say I took to it and love it as much as she does. it really does have character. We looked upon this RAV to last us another 3 years before we would probably have to change it for a 4.2, so as for now we are not sure what to do if it is written off. We are with Post Office Insurance, but that's just the up-front honest name. The actual insurance company is Premier Insurance Underwriters. The accident happened Sunday, it's now Tuesday eve.....waiting. I hate this situation so much. Still feeling sick! OK, I'll let you know whats what when we find out. Cheers.

Looks a very nice RAV. 

I am sure that the car will be repairable at not too high a cost, but using an Insurance Approved repair with all Toyota parts, the cost may be more then the car value - so as suggested, may be a matter of buying it at the agreed scrap value and arranging repair yourself?

If it is any consolation, I was with Post Office Insurance as a brokers last time I had to make a claim (actual insurance with Norwich Union) and found them very efficient and helpful.

[Ravi Shankar]

That is a crying shame the Rav looks spot on from the screen back,like others have said it's not dead just wounded i would certainly consider buying it from insurance company and repairing if they do total loss it.Give your wife a hug from me and tell her things like this do happen but it's not the end of the world and at least she damaged a Saab :D

[anchorman]

Come on Kev.... I'm a Newbie, but not that Green.

Seeing how good that Rav looks I would want to get it repaired .

Trev..

You've got to give him full marks for trying Trev. He's a "prudent" Scot and is known as bostick pockets to his mates. However, if you do cave in he's ma boy and he doesn't go anywhere without me

[local hero]

From what I can see from the photo's I have just done a quick calculation and the parts alone are just shy of £2000, plus labour and paint. I am afraid it will be total loss. Yes you could put it back together, it looks mainly superficial, but at that sort of cost it would not be viable. These things happen and nobody was injured so you and your other half will feel better about it when all the paperwork is done Lets hope you can get another RAV soon

Kingo

Firstly my heart felt sympathy to you + your good lady, Kingo's reply above is exactly what i was thinking I'd even guessed a similar figure, realisticaly your car will be written off + yes you may be able to buy the wreck off the insurance company + using 2nd hand parts + a good body shop rebuild it but my understanding is that your car will always be flagged as an insurance write off + when you come to sell it any potential buyer doing a HPI check will be informed of this, vastly reducing its value, you may even have problems insuring it, most insurance forms ask if a car has been in a serious accident or has been a write off.. May seem like a daft question but was your wife definitely to blame as there have been a number of bogus rear end shunts highlighted on several recent TV programs, One guy was driving round roundabouts waiting for cars to pull out behind him + then slamming his brakes on, he owned his own claims advisory company + was said to have almost £1000,000 in outstanding claims. I really hope you get this sorted out + as others have said no harm in getting a quote for the repair of your vehicle as most garages will give a much lower quote to a private person than they will if they know an insurance company are paying.. Good Luck + best wishes Stew

[bothwell_buyer]

Not a lot of damage can be said - I've seen my number 1 RAV is a worse state when a garage took the engine out from above... they cut open the front end!!! That was before I had the turbo fitted!

Using second hand bits, it should be good to fix. painting costs around £100 a panel but less if you bargain them down in this economic climate. Bonnet and bumper, radiator etc should all be available from a scrappy - must be a few RAVs rear-ended about.

The front cross section below the radiator is pretty easy, and the top section is a bit of cake ...as long as they align it for the bonnet catch! Fan - again should be easy. The only thing to check is slight buckling of the inner wings near the front, but looking at it....guess these might be ok.

As said above, ask a local bodyshop to give you a price ..and that you will be paying cash. You can get names of good shops from local street-cruise forums/sites.

I'd be tempted to take it off yer hands, but the missus will kill me if I buy another RAV.

Bring it up here and me an Kev will get stuck into it for a few beers and a large bottle of paintwork thinners (whisky)

[Big Kev]

Not a lot of damage can be said - I've seen my number 1 RAV is a worse state when a garage took the engine out from above... they cut open the front end!!! That was before I had the turbo fitted!

Using second hand bits, it should be good to fix. painting costs around £100 a panel but less if you bargain them down in this economic climate. Bonnet and bumper, radiator etc should all be available from a scrappy - must be a few RAVs rear-ended about.

The front cross section below the radiator is pretty easy, and the top section is a bit of cake ...as long as they align it for the bonnet catch! Fan - again should be easy. The only thing to check is slight buckling of the inner wings near the front, but looking at it....guess these might be ok.

As said above, ask a local bodyshop to give you a price ..and that you will be paying cash. You can get names of good shops from local street-cruise forums/sites.

I'd be tempted to take it off yer hands, but the missus will kill me if I buy another RAV.

Bring it up here and me an Kev will get stuck into it for a few beers and a large bottle of paintwork thinners (whisky)

Na Boffs....% ABV of paint thinners much higher...you can have the whisky.

Big Bevvy

[Ady-Rav4]

From what I can see from the photo's I have just done a quick calculation and the parts alone are just shy of £2000, plus labour and paint. I am afraid it will be total loss. Yes you could put it back together, it looks mainly superficial, but at that sort of cost it would not be viable. These things happen and nobody was injured so you and your other half will feel better about it when all the paperwork is done Lets hope you can get another RAV soon

Kingo

Hey Parts-King, thanks for that info on the parts cost alone. Thats just it isn't it, even if I got second hand parts, it's still going to cost stacks to finish the repair. Hopefully I should know on Friday 10th late afternoon the result of the assesment. Then we'll decide what the best thing to do is.

[Ady-Rav4]

From what I can see from the photo's I have just done a quick calculation and the parts alone are just shy of £2000, plus labour and paint. I am afraid it will be total loss. Yes you could put it back together, it looks mainly superficial, but at that sort of cost it would not be viable. These things happen and nobody was injured so you and your other half will feel better about it when all the paperwork is done Lets hope you can get another RAV soon

Kingo

Firstly my heart felt sympathy to you + your good lady, Kingo's reply above is exactly what i was thinking I'd even guessed a similar figure, realisticaly your car will be written off + yes you may be able to buy the wreck off the insurance company + using 2nd hand parts + a good body shop rebuild it but my understanding is that your car will always be flagged as an insurance write off + when you come to sell it any potential buyer doing a HPI check will be informed of this, vastly reducing its value, you may even have problems insuring it, most insurance forms ask if a car has been in a serious accident or has been a write off.. May seem like a daft question but was your wife definitely to blame as there have been a number of bogus rear end shunts highlighted on several recent TV programs, One guy was driving round roundabouts waiting for cars to pull out behind him + then slamming his brakes on, he owned his own claims advisory company + was said to have almost £1000,000 in outstanding claims. I really hope you get this sorted out + as others have said no harm in getting a quote for the repair of your vehicle as most garages will give a much lower quote to a private person than they will if they know an insurance company are paying.. Good Luck + best wishes Stew

Thanks vey much Stew for your comments. I should know on Friday 10th late afternoon the result of the assesment, I feel so sure it will be a total write off . I'll look into the option of buying the wreck, but I will need to know from the insu.co. how much the settlement offer will be after deductions. That will be a factor on getting a repair quote myself. But as you say, even if I get it looking like new again, it will be dragging issues around with it for the rest of the time we own it. We do love our RAV but £2000 might well be best going towards a newer RAV4.2 with a clean history. Thanks also for your concern about the actual accident. She phoned me up soon after the accident had happened, I rushed up and was on the scene in 6 minutes. We too are both well aware of the scams you have mentioned, it was a genuine accident. No-one was injured and I have photos of the other car's damage. They are with Saga Insurance! Cheers, Ady.

[Ady-Rav4]

Re..."I know of a good local car body shop who do most of the local Toyota Garage repairs"

Whilst you are waiting for THE insurers to inspect and make a decision, can you not get that local body shop to have a look and give you an idea of the costs.

Trev..

Hi Trev, yes, I would like them to do that. I don't know where our RAV has gone to, I get the impression it's out of my hands untill the insurers have done with it.

[Davrav]

Re..."I know of a good local car body shop who do most of the local Toyota Garage repairs"

Whilst you are waiting for THE insurers to inspect and make a decision, can you not get that local body shop to have a look and give you an idea of the costs.

Trev..

Hi Trev, yes, I would like them to do that. I don't know where our RAV has gone to, I get the impression it's out of my hands untill the insurers have done with it.

It's legally yours until you accept a cheque, should you choose to do so.

[dawesy]

even then there is a legal loophole that YOU Still own the vehicle. the insurance payout is for the damage to the car and not for them to purchase the car!

do some searching on the subject, there was a guy in Scotland who successfully kept his car after a payout.

[bothwell_buyer]

even then there is a legal loophole that YOU Still own the vehicle. the insurance payout is for the damage to the car and not for them to purchase the car!

do some searching on the subject, there was a guy in Scotland who successfully kept his car after a payout.

wisnae me!! Although I did get a payout for a Humber Sceptre that a small garage stole from me. The guys got a criminal record (as opposed to musical) now. No idea where the car went but seems they go to ireland and come back refreshed (the car).

[anchorman]

See if you can get a foriegner done on the paint. Stay away from the insurance. Buy a scrapper off eBay or all the parts from a scrapper/findapart. Change the bonnet, bumper and whatever is lurking underneath (I obviously can't be sure but I would suggest the bumper stiffener and the radiator the slam panel and N'S wing - all bolt on parts. Take it to the body shop and get the paint done.

This what mine looks like with the bumper alone off - it is all superficial. You've got nothing to lose just take it all of and see what you have got. It would take you a weekend to sort that out.