Car valuation - potential write-off

**Chris** · 19-01-2011, 14:56

Does anybody here have access to one of the car valuations databases (Parkers, Glass etc)?

Our car was severely damaged in a flood-related accident at the weekend; insurance is handling it but given that the repair estimate is a little over £5,000 I'm thinking they may be on the verge of writing it off - so I need to start shopping around. I need to know how much I may have to spend, and also whether any offer I may get from the insurer is reasonable.

The car is a 07 plate Zafira 1.9CDTi, 44,000 miles.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

TheDaddy · 19-01-2011, 15:19

My advice would be never to accept the first offer and ask for the car back, just because they write it of doesn't necessarily mean it can't be put right.

vanman · 19-01-2011, 15:33

try this one
http://www.whatcar.com/valuations

Aragorn · 19-01-2011, 15:52

The Parkers guide won't be far off as it's only slightly over average mileage.
Why not get an HPI valuation for £1.50? Should be a reasonable bargaining chip with the loss adjuster.

**Chris** · 19-01-2011, 15:57

A good start Vanman, thanks - I'd forgotten about that one. Unfortunately it doesn't have the one variant I need (1.9 CDTi energy) ... any others I can try - or anyone already subscribed to one of the major ones who can help?

---------- Post added at 15:57 ---------- Previous post was at 15:56 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

The Parkers guide won't be far off as it's only slightly over average mileage.
Why not get an HPI valuation for £1.50? Should be a reasonable bargaining chip with the loss adjuster.

Yep, will most certainly pay for a proper valuation as and when it becomes necessary - I'm just trying to get a head-start. TBH I'd prefer it if they just fixed the thing.

vanman · 19-01-2011, 16:03

ok try this

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-p...=1388&plate=84
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-p...t=9000&years=3

**Chris** · 19-01-2011, 16:06

Perfect

Julian · 19-01-2011, 16:08

The key valuation for me when mine was written off was the cost to replace it.

AutoTrader will allow you to find a near identical model.

That is by far your best bargaining chip imo Chris.

Guides are just that - guides and can be used against you.

**Chris** · 19-01-2011, 16:10

Does anyone know the tipping point between repair and write-off? We have a repair estimated at £5,600 against a likely value of £8,000.

vanman · 19-01-2011, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Does anyone know the tipping point between repair and write-off? We have a repair estimated at £5,600 against a likely value of £8,000.

to be honest chis if it's a flood damage.
there may be some future corrosion as the water will have gotten inside of the chassis.

mr_bo · 19-01-2011, 18:12

Will be a total loss Chris, all flood damaged/contaminated vehicles are a category a, next stop will be the crusher.

Didn't see this until I got home but will run it through glass evaluator tomorrow if you want.

**Chris** · 19-01-2011, 18:22

Hmmm. I did wonder why they were so keen to wait for the insurance engineer to pay a visit.

Yes please on the Glass valuation, I would very much like to get a solid lead on what to expect

---------- Post added at 18:22 ---------- Previous post was at 18:15 ----------

Further to the above - the water remained outside the cabin (by less than half an inch) - the damage appears to be entirely within the engine. Does that affect the likelihood of it surviving this?

mr_bo · 19-01-2011, 18:26

Was it parked or did you drive it through a flood? If the water didn't ingress then that changes my prior post.

Who are you insured with?

**Chris** · 19-01-2011, 18:30

Drove it through - realised too late that the road was significantly cambered on my side, was going into a dip, and the traffic coming the other way was in shallower water and also driving on the opposite pavement.

By the time I realised what I was heading into I had no option but to try to keep going. It was when the car slowed and the bow wave crashed over the bonnet that it all died off. But when it came to a full halt the water was fractionally below the sill of the driver's door (the sills are a little high on a Zafira) so I was able to get out and fix the towing eye onto it without letting any of the water into the cabin.

The repair estimate that the garage wants to give the insurance engineer is for a replacement engine assembly. I assume this means the water got right into the cylinders and buckled the piston rods.

mr_bo · 20-01-2011, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Drove it through - realised too late that the road was significantly cambered on my side, was going into a dip, and the traffic coming the other way was in shallower water and also driving on the opposite pavement.

By the time I realised what I was heading into I had no option but to try to keep going. It was when the car slowed and the bow wave crashed over the bonnet that it all died off. But when it came to a full halt the water was fractionally below the sill of the driver's door (the sills are a little high on a Zafira) so I was able to get out and fix the towing eye onto it without letting any of the water into the cabin.

The repair estimate that the garage wants to give the insurance engineer is for a replacement engine assembly. I assume this means the water got right into the cylinders and buckled the piston rods.

Yes, more than likely sucked in through the air filter and being a diesel they are higher compression ratio than petrol so will have locked the engine solid.

I have seen con rods hanging out the side of blocks from this!

As for your value, can you be more specific: club/design/elite/energy/life/sri and 6 speed man/auto