[superleggera13]

Has anyone ever wondered what would happen if a tyre bursts while you're traveling at 70 to 80 kmph?

Whenever I take my Santro, I worry about this. It is almost 16 years old, and I'm the only one who drives it only once a year when I head back home.

This incident happened when I was returning to Chennai from Trichy. I was just 10 odd km short of Tambaram when the rear right tyre got torn off totally.
But to be surprised, I just felt a thudding sound and there was no case that the car went out of control.
I slowly took my car to the side and was very fortunate to have stopped the car right in front of a puncture shop. They had all the hydraulic equipment, which just took them 10 mins to change the spare tyre.

The tyre burst was not because of the road nor the speed at which I traveled, but it was because of the age of the tyre, almost 8 years old. Since the car was not used regularly, the buttons on the tyre were good, so I thought it was not required to change the tyres. During my last visit, I changed two front tyres and left the back tyres as such. This incident has given me more confidence that the car might not lose control even in case of a tyre burst if driven at moderate speed with tubeless tyres.

[BoneCollector]

Originally Posted by superleggera13

The tyre burst was not because of the road nor the speed at which I traveled, but it was because of the age of the tyre, almost 8 years old.

My car had run 26K kms in 6 years but I changed tyres even though the tread was perfectly fine. In a car being used sparingly, it's better to change tyres based on age rather than kilometres driven. Glad you had a lucky escape.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by superleggera13

Has anyone ever wondered what would happen if a tyre bursts while you're traveling at 70 to 80 kmph?

Whenever I take my Santro, I worry about this. It is almost 16 years old, and I'm the only one who drives it only once a year when I head back home.
This incident happened when I was returning to Chennai from Trichy. I was just 10 odd km short of Tambaram when the rear right tyre got torn off totally.
The tyre burst was not because of the road nor the speed at which I traveled, but it was because of the age of the tyre, almost 8 years old.

I believe this was a case of tyre burst due to a deflated tyre or an underinflated tyre. Did you check the tyre for any large punctures?

On the other hand, tyre burst consequences depend on a lot of factors, right from the position of the tyre to the type of vehicle and so. If there is a high speed tyre burst, the goal of the driver would be to let go of the accelerator, gradually slow down the car and not make sudden steering movements. If the car starts to drift off your intended course, try correcting by countersteering but this cant be usually done by an untrained driver. Also, dont try to make any evasive maneuvers since that will always go wrong when there is one tyre thats burst.

[rangarx]

Yesterday, I faced the moment of truth. My close-to-heart 2018 VW Vento DSG - 79000 KM run and in mint condition has met with an accident.

Not even a scratch on us. No airbags deployed. The poor biker who was out of his senses suffered a few stitches on his foot and that's it..

Now, the car is at the Police station, and from the look of it, the bumper, wind shield washer tank, RH headlamp, RH Fender, Bonnet (dents) and RH door (jammed but minor tweaks) would easily make me cough up 2 Lakhs. The car is near Thuraiyur, TN and already spent 5 K for towing to Police station etc. The insurance, being in 5th year, is not bumper to bumper and will not cover the plastics, headlamps, windshield etc. I am from Coimbatore/Chennai and expect to close the Police formalities and RTO ordeal by next two days. After that the towing to VW Trichy and the endless wait to get the car repaired begins, Insurance tantrums etc..

Update: The 2W rider turned out to be a poor, unsupported chap and we arrived at an agreement and the car was released from the Police station.

Now the car is at VW Trichy, and the estimate is expected in a couple days.

So, here is the dilemma. In another 20000 KMs, the car will ask me for a lakh rupees for clutch overhaul (?) and timing chain replacement. This is my hunch.
So, I am looking a 3 L restoration expense for Vento.

I have option for lease car in my company, along with tax benefits.

Suggest me if I can sell this off as is, and go for a new lease car from my company. I am depressed as I love this car so much, and very sure that I can not find a similar one with the engine+gearbox+economy+handling+comfort below 60L.

Please help me to clear my dilemma. Thanks folks.

Also, which Diesel car can match Vento's ride, handling and economy now? Breaking my head over now.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Very sorry to hear and see this. I do think that you need estimates from the repair and to see what your insurer has to say, before you can decide further. You may yet be back on the road in your beloved VW.

I'm curious to know why your car is at the police station, and how one gets it released. Hoping that I never need that information, but one never knows.

By the way, perhaps its offtopic to the thread, but my nine-year-old Polo has had its timing-belt/pump replaced. Not a cheap service, but I don't recall it being very shocking. It was done by an independent garage. I'm wondering what a clutch overhaul is exactly? I know my clutch pedal is running out of travel...

[Arayan5614]

Hi Folks,

I haven't written a post for almost a year, largely due to my new job where the line between work and life has almost disappeared. :(

But coming to the point - yesterday, on the streets of Bangalore, while crossing a signal, a truck driver decided to change his course from right to left and hit my car.

By the grace of God, we are safe, but the car sustained some damage. PFB the pictures.



I have never claimed car insurance in the past and need suggestions on the next steps:

First step: I have informed my insurer, Bajaj Allianz, and am waiting for the surveyor to contact me...

Second step: I am unsure about which garage to go to. I haven't heard of the cashless garages listed by the insurer (Bajaj Allianz) and not too sure about handing the car over to them..

Could you please suggest a reliable car garage for body repair in Bangalore?

[HillMan]

Originally Posted by Arayan5614

I have never claimed car insurance in the past and need suggestions on the next steps

Good to know there were no injuries and all of you are safe. These things happen and that's why we have insurance.
If you have a comprehensive insurance and zero dep, I'll suggest just take it your authorised service center. There will be a service fees around 2k, rest is taken care.
If not zero dep insurance, check with a local denting painting guys near by instead of going long distances based on recommendations. I'm sure there will be a neighbour in your locality who can refer someone close by. Or go with the nearest recommended cashless workshop

As long as it is body work, most denting painting guy will manage it well. You will anyway need to paint the whole doors here. The authorised service center will recommend to replace the front door for sure.

The Bajaj agent will anyway make a visit and negotiate with the workshop.

[sharklord]

What could have caused this type of damage?

[chiranjitp]

Polo TDi accident, VW PPS Guwahati unwilling to order parts

As luck would have it, my 2019 Polo TDi was involved in a freakish accident on 08.03.2025 while traveling on NH27. Thankfully the persons inside (me along with two passengers) didn't even feel a thing & no third party was involved as well. The car wasn't in drivable condition, so had to be towed to the only VW dealer in whole of North East, PPS VW at Guwahati. On the way I was told that the person concerned for making the repair estimate was away on training, he would be joining next Monday i.e on 10.03.2025.

The damage:





On 10.03.2025, I met with the concerned person & asked for his advice regarding the Insurance claim process. My Insurance policy is from New India Assurance, bought from Policybazaar, so cashless option was out. Anyways I told him to make the repair estimate as early as possible, meanwhile I would initiate the claim process. Regarding parts availability I was told that internally PPS VW is not ordering any new parts due to it being the month of March, & couldn't commit to any date when the parts would be available. I was however assured that if the parts that I would be needing were in stock, they will complete the repair work on priority basis.

At VW PPS Guwahati:



Insurance claim was initiated on 13.03.2025, the appointed surveyor visited the dealership on the same day & gave the go ahead for the repairs. After a bit of back & forth, regarding what parts I would be needing & availability of the same, I was told that some critical parts are not available currently, without those it will be impossible to complete the repair works.

Repair estimate:







Status as of 22.03.2025 is that there is still no clarity when they will be able to order the parts, let alone any timeline regarding when the parts will come. As for the parts needed, main cosmetic parts are available, like the headlight, radiator carrier assembly, bumper, fender etc. The mechanical parts are not in stock, my car would be needing a new knuckle, hub etc, those are not available. My front right wheel has developed a negative camber (from the hit), so whole RHS suspension they will be replacing.

Current status:





From what I have understood, VW Guwahati is owned/run by PPS group, & they have instructed the dealership internally not to order any parts currently. There is no issue with VW India issuing new parts. So, I seek advice from all regarding what should be the way forward?

[hserus]

Originally Posted by chiranjitp

From what I have understood, VW Guwahati is owned/run by PPS group, & they have instructed the dealership internally not to order any parts currently. There is no issue with VW India issuing new parts. So, I seek advice from all regarding what should be the way forward?

Get your car out of there and have it repaired in a good local garage that can help process insurance claims. Or drop an email to Volkswagen corporate and tell them that this is going on.

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by chiranjitp

From what I have understood, VW Guwahati is owned/run by PPS group, & they have instructed the dealership internally not to order any parts currently. There is no issue with VW India issuing new parts. So, I seek advice from all regarding what should be the way forward?

1. Visit the insurance company office and speak with the officer there and appraise him of the situation. He would advise you to speak with the insurance surveyor who has already visited the workshop and surveyed the car.

2. Get clarity from the surveyor as to the final assessed loss amount. The surveyor would provide a very clear picture as to what is payable and what is not and what depreciation would be applied on which parts etc. By doing this you will get a clear picture about the quantum of amount you would receive from the insurance company.

3. Speak with your friends around / call other VW workshops in the city or anywhere else and source all the parts that you require.

4. Inform the surveyor and VW PPS Guwahati that you are sourcing the spares and they should be charging only the labor charges for the same.

5. Get the spare parts at your place and hand it over to the VW PPS Guwahati and ask them to repair the car.

6. Incase if they refuse to do so, ask them to give the same in writing / email and approach the surveyor and narrate him the situation and get the car repaired at your FNG.

7. Insurance company nor the surveyor will not stipulate that you should get your car serviced at VW PPS Guwahati only. We generally tend to get our vehicle serviced at A.S.S only to comply with warranty and also under belief that they are trained, better qualified, better stocked and better equipped to repair the car compared to your FNG. So, technically you can get your car serviced / repaired wherever you deem fit.

8. After handing over the spares that you sourced from outside to VW PPS, all they have to do is the labor work. If they refuse, take the car to your FNG, keep the surveyor informed and get the repair done. Your car is 6 year old. I am not sure if you have any warranty or any other obligation to get your car serviced / repaired at A.S.S except for the reasons mentioned earlier.

9. Your insurance claim has no bearing over where you get your vehicle repaired. Keep the insurance company and the surveyor informed through email (important) about the developments and seek their approval. It's not a big issue.

10. You can state that you need the car repaired ASAP and back owing to your pressing need of your car as it is your primary transport and not having the car is gravely affecting your daily activities.

11. To sum it up, you source the necessary spares from elsewhere, get it and handit over to the repairer (PPS or FNG), keep the surveyor informed and in the loop and get your repair done.

[sunikkat]

Originally Posted by chiranjitp

Polo TDi accident, VW PPS Guwahati unwilling to order parts

As luck would have it, my 2019 Polo TDi was involved in a freakish accident on 08.03.2025 while traveling on NH27.

You should definitely try a good FNG. Atleast in Bangalore, based on my experience, the good FNGs are able to source parts quicker than A-S-S. Also it will work out cheaper.

[Spinnerr]

Originally Posted by sharklord

What could have caused this type of damage?
Attachment 2691909

From my past unfortunate experience at authorized service center - these designer lines are from the water house being pulled over the car to spray on near-by-car for some "priority" cleaning.

Could also happen at fuel pump, if they pull the fueling pipe over the car to fill it, happens when one stops with the fuel tank inlet away from the pump/dispenser side.

But from the pics, multiple panels seems to be affected, so my guess is from some cleaning station run by not so professionals, or from kids, if you had let them lend a hand with weekend car wash.

[steadfast]

Wrong title- Reflects that VW India is short of spares. Here the situation is different . Title should be Dealer not ordering spares

[chiranjitp]

Originally Posted by hserus

Get your car out of there and have it repaired in a good local garage that can help process insurance claims. Or drop an email to Volkswagen corporate and tell them that this is going on.

Getting it fixed in a FNG doesn't seem to be an option currently. The Insurance claim process is already initiated through the VW dealer, moreover these VW guys have already issued parts in my car's name (whatever was available) & painted them.

Regarding dropping an email to the higher ups at VW, I will definitely consider it.

Originally Posted by ashkamath

1. Visit the insurance company office and speak with the officer there and appraise him of the situation. He would advise you to speak with the insurance surveyor who has already visited the workshop and surveyed the car.

4. Inform the surveyor and VW PPS Guwahati that you are sourcing the spares and they should be charging only the labor charges for the same.

5. Get the spare parts at your place and hand it over to the VW PPS Guwahati and ask them to repair the car.

Thank you for your advice . Yes, I do have a trusted FNG where I get the normal service done & that FNG is competent enough. But for the current scenario, since the damage was substantial, I had decided to get the car fixed at ASS. Otherwise I could have gotten the car fixed at my FNG, claiming insurance.

The Insurance claim process is already initiated through the VW dealer, moreover these VW guys have already issued parts in my car's name (whatever was available) & painted them. I don't think it will be possible now to process the claim from a different place.

Regarding ordering the non-available parts from another sources (which I have), whether those parts can be put under one Insurance claim? Those parts will have different billing details.

Originally Posted by sunikkat

You should definitely try a good FNG. Atleast in Bangalore, based on my experience, the good FNGs are able to source parts quicker than A-S-S. Also it will work out cheaper.

I have a trusted FNG here in Guwahati, but as I have already mentioned it seems too late to initiate the claim from a different place.

Originally Posted by steadfast

Wrong title- Reflects that VW India is short of spares. Here the situation is different . Title should be Dealer not ordering spares

Thanks, even from what I have understood, the basis problem lies with PPS VW (the authorized dealer in question), rather than VW India.