Hi. First time poster looking for people's experience.

Last week the bonnet on my 51 plate Fiat Brava sprung open in the middle lane of the M40.
It has obviously cracked the windscreen enough to require a replacement and it has seriously buckled the bonnet to the point it needs replaced.

The car isn't worth much (approx. £800) and based on what I believe it would cost to fix 'properly' the insurance company would likely not deem it economical to repair plus I'd lose my no claims. However, I want to establish what it would take to replace the essentials with parts from a scrapyard and get my local bodyshop to do it.



My questions are:

1. Does it sound right that I'd need a new bonnet, hinges and locking mechanism at minimum? Is there anything I've missed?
2. My dad mentioned a 'striker' as part of the locking mechanism - still not sure what this is and having looked on Google etc I am no clearer.
3. Does anyone have experience of how long it would take for the garage (in work hours) to replace these parts?
4. Does anyone know a good scrapyard in the Reading/Wokingham area? A couple I tried didn't have any Bravas.

I'm working out if it's worth doing independently or just scrapping it.

Thanks for the advice.

Although not a common fault, this isn't the first time this has happened.

The cause is usually surface rust building up on parts of the lock mechanism, so that when you pull the bonnet release, the mechanism opens to release the bonnet, but doesn't spring back to its locked position. All it takes then is plenty of wind under the bonnet when driving fast and a jolt in the road surface to release the second latch and the bonnet will fly up.

Yes, you will definalty need a new bonnet with hinges (as the current ones will have been bent too far back,) and a locking mechanism i thats in good shape. And a windscreen obviously. Its not a difficult job to do yourself and can you should be able to have it done in an hour.

Its simply a case of unbolting the old bonnet at the bottom half of the hinges and bolting the new one in to replace it. Then unbolt the locking mechanism under the front panel, release the bonnet release cable from it and remove the mechanism. Before putting the new mechanism in, thoroughly rub it down with some abrasive paper to get any surface rust off and cake it in grease. Refit the new mechanism and you're done.

Its basically going to be a case of spending a while on the fone ringing around breakers yards, or try ebay. Just seach brav* breaking and sort by distance. You should be able to get the bonnet with hinges and the locking mechanism for under £75. As for your windscreen, ring around the windscreen companies asking for quotes.

Thanks a lot. Pretty much as I thought.
Appreciate it. I've had not much luck with breakers in the immediate vicinity so time to widen the net.
Cheers.