Repair Skoda or buy new Car ???

akhilesh51 · 26th February 2009, 19:56

Few weeks back, I met with an accident on highway while driving in my skoda octavia 1.9 TDi.

I was driving down the highway and suddenly (!!) a camel cart came in the middle (transversally parked on the highway!) resulting in a head-on collision with the cart.

Worse, the cart was laden with a metal water tank which fell on my car tearing a part of roof.

Luckily, everyone involved, including me, escaped with minor injuries but a totally front-wrecked car.

The extent of damage on car is as follows:

Front Bumpers
All Front Lights
Bonnet + Bonnet/Bumper assembly
LH + RH Side panels
LH + RH 'A' Pillars
RH 'B' Pillar
Roof
Front Seat assembly
Seat Belt pre-tensioners
various parts in engine assembly

Engine continues to crank normally but coolant/PS oil compartments are broken. (Surprise, Surprise!)

Upon inspection, Insurance broker has given a settlement estimate of about INR 200,000/- which for obvious reason, we declined !

We are more interested in cash settlement so that we can rid of this car since it has been involved in 2 accidents already with different members of family.

I need help from community to decide about course of action to follow.

Should I go for cash settlement and buy another premium sedan ? If yes, then which car?
Is it possible to exchange car after repair and what would be expected value ?
Accept cash settlement and sell car for spares in market, is it wise ?
Just repair the car and curse my bad luck ?

Any suggestions in this matter will be highly appreciated.

Another thing i noted, In both the accidents, being full frontal crashes, and drivers wearing seat-belts (atleast i was), airbags did not deflate. Is it a skoda problem ?

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Sahil · 26th February 2009, 21:52

cash settlement...chuck the car.
It's gonna be a loss but it's better to get rid of a car that has seen so much.
Airbags not deflating is a cause of concern if the impact was hard.
Which new car, depends on your budget.

akhilesh51 · 26th February 2009, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

cash settlement...chuck the car.
It's gonna be a loss but it's better to get rid of a car that has seen so much.
Airbags not deflating is a cause of concern if the impact was hard.
Which new car, depends on your budget.

New Car would once again be in premium segment...VW Jetta sorts...

SS-Traveller · 26th February 2009, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhilesh51

...airbags did not deflate.

You mean airbags did not inflate/deploy. Did your front bumper survive the crash? The impact sensors to deploy the airbags are usually behind the front bumpers, so if you hit something at headlight level, there is a small chance that the airbags won't deploy.

Throw out the car - you don't really want any more crashes in it. Maybe that is one unlucky auto for you...

ajmat · 26th February 2009, 22:27

Ask for a repair estimate also and also get a quote for a like for like replacement. Rs 2L is very little for repair costs. Assuming the car is 4-5 years old Rs 2L is reasonable since you will have to shell out for depreciated / plastic items. If repair or cash, you will be taking a hit

f1fan · 26th February 2009, 22:38

I would not suggest spending more money on the car. There are garages that buy these accident cars and either fix them or sell them as parts. Hence check with them in your city about the price that they would pay for your car.
I believe you are better off selling this and buying something else.
BTW what other car are you looking at and what is your budget?

no_limit · 26th February 2009, 23:04

I think you should discard the car and settle for cash settlement because even after getting it repaired, which is going to cost you a bomb, you will not be able to get the car to its former glory.
Are you looking to buy a diesel car this time as well ?

PS: Off topic-This is my 51st post and it feels good to see BHPian next to my id

WAGON_R · 26th February 2009, 23:09

i think its better to ride off the car. try contacting some garrage people who can repair and sell this car. second hand car bazaar does lots of these types of repairs and sell off. this will fetch you more money i think so.

all the best for your next car. get the car on some auspious day with muharat. sorry for being superstitious.

nitrous · 27th February 2009, 00:01

how old is the car?
What is the current IDV?
If you can prove that the liability is 75% of the IDV, you can have the insurance company write it off as a 'Total Loss'.

devarshi84 · 27th February 2009, 06:08

agree with Nitrous, try to get it written as a total loss. Also as Ajmat mentioned, the cost seems reasonable to me.

Otherwise I would suggest you repair the car and use it. Skoda's have been the safer cars on the road.

Look at a new car only when you can bear huge financial loss on this one.

aaggoswami · 27th February 2009, 08:20

The overall chassis integrity is affected. Its better to go for a new car. The original strength of chassis cannot be brought back after a high speed shunt and in your case the front was a wreck.
Try to claim it as complete loss, which according to me, is a complete loss.

The repair cost might look reasonable at this time, but once the car enters the service center, then the cost may shoot up. There are chances of this occurring and at that time, you will not have any option but to pay for it.

Its safe bet to get a new car.

Dose · 27th February 2009, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhilesh51

Should I go for cash settlement and buy another premium sedan ? If yes, then which car?

Yes, buy a new car. If you are happy with the car's safety, buy the same model. Otherwise, buy a car like the Fabia, Civic, Laura, Jetta, or Accord which has better front crash test results than the Octavia.

akhilesh51 · 27th February 2009, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Ask for a repair estimate also and also get a quote for a like for like replacement. Rs 2L is very little for repair costs. Assuming the car is 4-5 years old Rs 2L is reasonable since you will have to shell out for depreciated / plastic items. If repair or cash, you will be taking a hit

The car is only a year old.

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1fan

I would not suggest spending more money on the car. There are garages that buy these accident cars and either fix them or sell them as parts. Hence check with them in your city about the price that they would pay for your car.
I believe you are better off selling this and buying something else.
BTW what other car are you looking at and what is your budget?

I am once again looking in 10 - 15 lac rane and almost certainly a diesel looking considering a monthly drive of about 8000 - 10000. My dad mainly uses the car and is almost always on road

Incidentally, I am myself an auto dealer (not Skoda!) and all preliminary survey was done by my works manager who was previously manager at Skoda dealership at Jaipur.

Also, Insurance was obtained from the same company which does insurance for all new cars delivered by us.

I have flexed my muscles all the way to RM for insurance company but to no avail.

The IDV currently stands at close to 9 Lacs so total loss is out of question.

Chasis of car has suffered a huge brunt and hence my reservations about getting the car repaired especially since its a skoda and services at later stage will be expensive to say of least.

Note from the Team-BHP Support: Please use the "edit" button if posting within 15 minutes of the first post, instead of creating another back-to-back post

Also use "Multi Quote" option for quoting Multiple posts.

aaggoswami · 27th February 2009, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dose

buy a car like the Fabia, Civic, Laura, Jetta, or Accord which has better front crash test results than the Octavia.

In the EuroNCAP test ratings:
Octavia : 4/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Skoda Octavia
Civic : 4/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Honda Civic
Laura/Jetta : 5/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Skoda Octavia
Accord : NA. The European Accord is Acura TSX.
Fabia : 4/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Skoda Fabia

vasudeva · 27th February 2009, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

In the EuroNCAP test ratings:
Octavia : 4/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Skoda Octavia
Civic : 4/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Honda Civic
Laura/Jetta : 5/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Skoda Octavia
Accord : NA. The European Accord is Acura TSX.
Fabia : 4/5 stars. Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Skoda Fabia

The Honda Accord (US model with their safety specs) is a top safety pick by IIHS. IIHS's testing is even more stringent (because IIHS represents the insurance industry) than the official NHTSA's ratings. See this:

IIHS-HLDI: Midsize moderately priced cars - Current Models

26th February 2009, 19:56	#1
akhilesh51 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jaipur, RAJ Posts: 631 Thanked: 339 Times	Repair Skoda or buy new Car ??? Few weeks back, I met with an accident on highway while driving in my skoda octavia 1.9 TDi. I was driving down the highway and suddenly (!!) a camel cart came in the middle (transversally parked on the highway!) resulting in a head-on collision with the cart. Worse, the cart was laden with a metal water tank which fell on my car tearing a part of roof. Luckily, everyone involved, including me, escaped with minor injuries but a totally front-wrecked car. The extent of damage on car is as follows: Front Bumpers All Front Lights Bonnet + Bonnet/Bumper assembly LH + RH Side panels LH + RH 'A' Pillars RH 'B' Pillar Roof Front Seat assembly Seat Belt pre-tensioners various parts in engine assembly Engine continues to crank normally but coolant/PS oil compartments are broken. (Surprise, Surprise!) Upon inspection, Insurance broker has given a settlement estimate of about INR 200,000/- which for obvious reason, we declined ! We are more interested in cash settlement so that we can rid of this car since it has been involved in 2 accidents already with different members of family. I need help from community to decide about course of action to follow. Should I go for cash settlement and buy another premium sedan ? If yes, then which car? Is it possible to exchange car after repair and what would be expected value ? Accept cash settlement and sell car for spares in market, is it wise ? Just repair the car and curse my bad luck ? Any suggestions in this matter will be highly appreciated. Another thing i noted, In both the accidents, being full frontal crashes, and drivers wearing seat-belts (atleast i was), airbags did not deflate. Is it a skoda problem ? Note from Team BHP Support: Please do not use more than a maximum of two smilies per post. Take time to go through the rules of the forum. Thanks. Last edited by Rehaan : 2nd March 2009 at 03:56. Reason: See note in post
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 21:52	#2
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	cash settlement...chuck the car. It's gonna be a loss but it's better to get rid of a car that has seen so much. Airbags not deflating is a cause of concern if the impact was hard. Which new car, depends on your budget.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 22:27	#5
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,863 Thanked: 27,973 Times View My Garage	Ask for a repair estimate also and also get a quote for a like for like replacement. Rs 2L is very little for repair costs. Assuming the car is 4-5 years old Rs 2L is reasonable since you will have to shell out for depreciated / plastic items. If repair or cash, you will be taking a hit
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 22:38	#6
f1fan BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 701 Thanked: 48 Times View My Garage	I would not suggest spending more money on the car. There are garages that buy these accident cars and either fix them or sell them as parts. Hence check with them in your city about the price that they would pay for your car. I believe you are better off selling this and buying something else. BTW what other car are you looking at and what is your budget?
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 23:04	#7
no_limit BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, U.K, Jaipur (India) Posts: 72 Thanked: 4 Times	I think you should discard the car and settle for cash settlement because even after getting it repaired, which is going to cost you a bomb, you will not be able to get the car to its former glory. Are you looking to buy a diesel car this time as well ? PS: Off topic-This is my 51st post and it feels good to see BHPian next to my id Last edited by no_limit : 26th February 2009 at 23:07. Reason: Didnt realise this was my 51st post.:)
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 23:09	#8
WAGON_R BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 60 Thanked: 0 Times	i think its better to ride off the car. try contacting some garrage people who can repair and sell this car. second hand car bazaar does lots of these types of repairs and sell off. this will fetch you more money i think so. all the best for your next car. get the car on some auspious day with muharat. sorry for being superstitious.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 00:01	#9
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	how old is the car? What is the current IDV? If you can prove that the liability is 75% of the IDV, you can have the insurance company write it off as a 'Total Loss'.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 06:08	#10
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	agree with Nitrous, try to get it written as a total loss. Also as Ajmat mentioned, the cost seems reasonable to me. Otherwise I would suggest you repair the car and use it. Skoda's have been the safer cars on the road. Look at a new car only when you can bear huge financial loss on this one.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 08:20	#11
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	The overall chassis integrity is affected. Its better to go for a new car. The original strength of chassis cannot be brought back after a high speed shunt and in your case the front was a wreck. Try to claim it as complete loss, which according to me, is a complete loss. The repair cost might look reasonable at this time, but once the car enters the service center, then the cost may shoot up. There are chances of this occurring and at that time, you will not have any option but to pay for it. Its safe bet to get a new car.
	() Thanks