Car repair cost

thezappa · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:11

So had a knock in my car, it’s not serious, no damage to one else’s car/property.
Anyway, I’m going to get it repaired privately so went to two body shops locally.
I will upload pictures of the damage but essentially the front bumper has come away slightly and there is a slightly increased panel gap between the offside corner of the bumper and the bonnet, it also has a small crack. The headlight is very slightly out of position and the grill has cracked.

Fast forward to now and I have the two prices. They are similar but one is quoting to replace the light and the other said they can use clips but the cost is similar.

My feeling is to go with the replacement light (higher) quote. The labour charges are higher at the other place so maybe a better job? I don’t know, just trying to gauge opinion really. What are your thoughts?

NVP · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:55

Just so you know they will most likely be replacing the light w8th a non-oem, insurance approved copy unit unless you tell them otherwise.

thezappa · 8 Dec 2022 at 15:19

Even at £200-odd? The ford website lists them, or ones like it, at around that price. I’ll make sure to say that, thank you.

Facemasker · 9 Dec 2022 at 06:26

If the car is a workhorse and not something you want to show off and impress people with I wouldn't bother paying for cosmetic repairs to bodywork and panels. Put that money aside for MOTs and unexpected mechanical repairs that are bound to happen sooner or later.

Gaygle · 10 Dec 2022 at 12:07

A) We really need to see the damage. It's hard to suggest more economical ways of repairing something unless we can see it
B) The first garage is charging you for a whole headlight when it's likely one of the brackets could just be plastic welded easily (as the second garage are doing). Or, you might even be able to get a used headlight from eBay for not much.
C) Does the bumper really need painting? Is it worth spending £1000 on what sounds like quite minor damage - £160 for a grille for a Ford focus (you surely can get a good used one for about £30 on eBay?). Again, if it's a brand new Focus, probably, but if it's a 2006 Ford Focus with 150k miles on the clock - probably not, and a good polish could possibly conceal it well?

thezappa · 10 Dec 2022 at 13:27

Took some photos, only externals I’m afraid:

It’s a 2019, I have looked on eBay but couldn’t see one that I was confident would be compatible.
Grille, again, couldn’t see one second hand.
Both garages have said that sometimes brackets are available as insurance companies made manufacturers provide/make them to remove the need for a whole new headlight. So garage 2 has sourced brackets and garage 1 hasn’t.

muon · 10 Dec 2022 at 13:41

I'd clean the car first, see how the cosmetic damage looks after that and then decide if paint and associated labour is worth it. The fender looks quite bad though if dented.

gc123 · 10 Dec 2022 at 15:06

eBay item number:125088370391 front grill 50 +10 delivery
eBay item number:255097218509 front headlight 157 delivered although it says brackets have been replaced so maybe you can just get them but either way.
and if the bumper isnt repairable which to be fair it should be eBay item number:304561657831 119 +24.99 ok will need minor cosmetics and repaint but something you could drop at a bodyshop to do while still driving car.

me personally bang the headlight and grill on and clean up the cut in the bumper, yes you will see it but it isnt going to affect you that much.

loads of others on ebay maybe even get the correct colour and if you not able to fit yourselfe im sure local garage would . still quite a saving and allows quite a bit left for possible paint and fitting.

as said i would just do the light and grill for now.

SquirrelMadness · 12 Dec 2022 at 17:31

Looks like a DIY job. Replace grille, some mesh and filler on the bumper... get one of those mobile spot painters to do the colour and blend. Replacing a light is easy... maybe get some cool aftermarkets in and still save money.

Even if you can't find a replacement grill some plastic welding (with a soldering iron) then filler and paint would at least make it look the part until you find a replacement.