Car damaged on driveway: advice please.

Spikey · 12 Dec 2009 at 00:48

Hi guys, been full of cold and my evening got worse tonight when someone visiting next door reversed into my car, it's scuffed the corner of the rear drivers side bumper and put a few cracks into the bumper as well. Any ideas if this will need replacing or can it be repaired usually? Sorry I don't have a pics to hand but it happened when it was dark so I'll get some in the morning. The guy has been good about it, he came to the house said he would pay for the cost of the replacement bumper or repair. Just not sure what the usual thing is as I would think it would be easier to just replace it?

My main worry is where to go to get it fixed? I live in the Stockton/Middlesbrough area and don't know where to take the car for quotes or how much I'm looking at?

Any help would be great! Cheers.

EDIT Sorry the car is an 56 Clio 1.4.

Sin_Chase · 12 Dec 2009 at 00:53

Doing it all through the dealer would likely be the easiest, but the most expensive.

Sourcing your own bumper and getting an indy to spray it would likely be cheapest.

Minxy · 12 Dec 2009 at 00:58

Depending on how big the crack is, it could possibly be repaired. More and more bodyshops are doing this now as they get a nice kickback from the insurance company for repairing instead of replacing.

If the cracks are bigger than around 15cm then it wont be repaired or if it is a difficult area to get into. It will be the estimators decision at the end of the day unless you take it somewhere that you can ask them to say it is beyond repair in the estimate. Then its just a case of them spraying it.

Spikey · 12 Dec 2009 at 01:09

Thanks, any idea on cost for the bumper? I will get some pics up tomorrow.

Minxy · 12 Dec 2009 at 01:11

No idea on a brand new bumper. For repair, it would depend on how many hours the bodyshop will allocate to it.

dale1uk · 12 Dec 2009 at 10:18

A new rear bumper isnt expensive: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RENAULT-CLIO-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item53d53cce21

Including painting and fitting it shouldnt cost much more than a few hundred pounds.

lordrobs · 12 Dec 2009 at 10:26

Personally (as always) I'd ask for his insurance details and let the insurance company sort it out.

iaind · 12 Dec 2009 at 10:37

Agreed, his word that he'll pay for it means SFA unfortunately.

Dont fiddle about and put yourself out by buying bumpers yourself etc, find a reputable local bodyshop and get them to sort it. Bumper cracks can be fixed, a local place did a superb job on my dad's old Jag.

Preferably find one that will pick the car up and leave a courtesy car for you - it wasnt your fault so you shouldnt be put out at all

PhillyDee · 12 Dec 2009 at 10:59

I had something similar when aa neighbours handbrake failed. He asked me to get a couple of quotes for repair. Came round with the cash and then I took it to the bodyshop. Even offered a case of beer for the trouble. Cheaper than the insurance. Plus, more likely to stay on friendly terms. Just make sure it is sorted quickly.

Spikey · 12 Dec 2009 at 23:10

I have all of his details, but I'd rather not go through insurance, he seems a decent bloke and has offered to pay the damage. I look at it earlier and it looks as if it's badly scuffed and some paint has cracked, I'm hoping it can be repaired. If I go through insurance will it affect my premium? He has admitted liability obviously.

PhillyDee · 12 Dec 2009 at 23:11

Maybe. Its still a non-fault claim.

Lord-Jaffa · 12 Dec 2009 at 23:14

Spikey said:
I have all of his details, but I'd rather not go through insurance, he seems a decent bloke and has offered to pay the damage. I look at it earlier and it looks as if it's badly scuffed and some paint has cracked, I'm hoping it can be repaired. If I go through insurance will it affect my premium? He has admitted liability obviously.

Yes it will affect your premium for the next 3-5 years (depending on the insurer you are with).