Front Nudge Bars For 55Plate Xt4 - Still Available? Still Legal? Kingo

[cruella]

Hello peeps, long time no speak :)

I very stupidly managed to roll my Nov 55 plate XT4 into the rear of a car whilst stationery at a filter light (foot slipped off brake - doh). He has a little crack in the bumper of his auris which is being catered for by my insurance company. I have the option of paying out my excess to get my cracked bull bar thingy replaced. It is the one that came with the car, not an aftermarket jobbie. ;) My excess is £350, so I thought it was worth getting a quote through my insurance approved repairers before I make a decision as the only one I could find on eBay is £105 and that has been repaired. I assume Toyota direct will be much more.

Anyhoo, I went to the repairers last night for said quote - got inspected (ooer missus) by a rather dour chap who proceeded to tell me my bull bar was now illegal! I said surely not as it was a factory part and they still fit them (albeit with a slimmer profile) to the newer models. He umm'd and ahh'd a bit, and said he would check it out, but he thought he wouldn't be able to replace it. Is this right? Can I still buy one from Toyota? Perhaps the lovely Kingo might know?

If it turns out to be nose bleedingly expensive - assuming I CAN still get one, I will go through the insurers, otherwise I might just get it taken off and see if I can get it repaired.

Anyone had any experience of this - or got any ideas?

Ta

Jools :)

[Davrav]

Have you seen this one Jools?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-RAV4-FRONT-GUARD-RAV-4-A-BAR-ABAR-2003-2005-/360468175599?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item53ed93daef

Not cheap but still less than your excess............

Worth contacting Kingo as he may be able to beat the price.

[firemac]

Have you seen this one Jools?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item53ed93daef

Not cheap but still less than your excess............

Worth contacting Kingo as he may be able to beat the price.

That's a daft price. I got quote from my local Toyota dealer - £295 fitted & including dreaded VAT. This seller's a crook!

[Manxrav]

Agree 100% Jim, Pentagon although a large Toyota main dealer do seem to be a bit heavy on the penny. Better off contacting Kingo,who,s prices are a lot better than Pentagon.

Regards Clare

[anchorman]

And it won't fit a 55 plate. You would be better doing it yourself even if the parts turn out deraer than the quote - they will get you on your premium.

[Davrav]

And it won't fit a 55 plate.

Installation instructions for the part numbers quoted show for August '03 on, with an illustration of a RAV with round foglights - I think Pentagon have got the wrong photo in their listing........

They also seem to be including the lower stainless steel trim which is something like £60ish on top of the cost of the main guard.

I'd still go with Kingo and DIY or get a main dealer quote to include fitting as recommended by Jim.

[cruella]

Thanks for the replies and your efforts on eBay people :) - If it is less than £350 fitted I won't get it done by the insurers. I am going to lose part of my no claims anyway as I 'fessed up to rolling into the back of the chap. He was very reasonable about the whole thing and it was the least I could do. I am still kicking myself at my gross stupidity -Grrrr! Toyota wanted between £800 and £900 to replace his bumper, which is why I ended up going through the insurance !

I will pm Kingo tomorrow as he doesn't appear to be lurking, I was more concerned at the assessor saying (with some authority, but still miserable) that they were now illegal. I am assuming from your replies that it isn't the case?

I do love my RAV, but I must say that things are a lot easier (and more robust AND cheaper) when dealing with my old VWs - a good 'straighten out' with a persuader, accompanied by a bit of gaffer tape and a cable tie seem to fix most things. :P

[Hoovie]

Will you not have to pay the excess anyway for the overall claim? Or is an excess only payable when it comes to repairing damage for your own vehicle?

I would have thought ( only thought, not know) that for a single claim, a single excess would be payable regardless if you are at fault so getting the damage sorted to your own car could be done under the same claim?

As far as the bar being illegal, the guy really has no clue I think and it is worrying people like that are responsible for assesing claims with insufficient knowledge :(

Reminds me a bit of a situation where a MOT tester failed a girlfriends Escort as it had no rear seatbelts fitted even though the car was made in 1980 and were not required then.

PS. When you get prices, check if they include the lower chrome trim as it is optional as has been said, but just about every photo shows it fitted, so it *may* appear to be included.

[cruella]

Will you not have to pay the excess anyway for the overall claim? Or is an excess only payable when it comes to repairing damage for your own vehicle? I would have thought ( only thought, not know) that for a single claim, a single excess would be payable regardless if you are at fault so getting the damage sorted to your own car could be done under the same claim? As far as the bar being illegal, the guy really has no clue I think and it is worrying people like that are responsible for assesing claims with insufficient knowledge :( Reminds me a bit of a situation where a MOT tester failed a girlfriends Escort as it had no rear seatbelts fitted even though the car was made in 1980 and were not required then. PS. When you get prices, check if they include the lower chrome trim as it is optional as has been said, but just about every photo shows it fitted, so it *may* appear to be included.

Apparently - according to nice insurance lady, I only pay the excess if I get the damage sorted to my own car. I did ask specifically as I thought this was a bit odd. I await the claims person's response, but you're right, it is a little worrying and doesn't give me confidence in anything else they may say to be honest.