Was hit at some speed on Monday at Loch Lomond. I was stationery and signalling - trying to cross the road. Received the unfortunate news today that my Panda would cost £3800 to repair and is thus a write off. RIP Panda, you were the best.

Such a waste.

Personally I'd retain salvage and get it repaired yourself, wouldn't only be about £1k tops using used parts (I'm assuming the axle has been bent?)

Poor Panda

It's a shame to see relatively rare cars like the 100HP written off for what looks like not a particularly good reason.

Agree on both points. I have paid £616 to buy back from insurance. I've bought a black bumper and rear brakelight unit for £160 delivered. The axle is bent, but my mechanic can source and fit for about £150. He also believes the panel can be beaten back out and resprayed by one of his friends. Not expecting to pay more than £500 for it all to be completed. Just happy I'm alive - I was just brushed at 60mph and it could have been devastating.

Glad you're okay ! You're absolutely right, full on 60mph impact could have left you with a lot worse than a dented car.

£616 seems like a good price to me (though, what do I know haha ). What category write off was it, C?

Glad everyone was ok... Some good roads up north tho eh ?

You need to watch for contracoup damage in that kind of shunt - they dont write them off for nothing as the old saying goes.
Ensure you get it on a Car-O-Liner or similar jig.
Any impact to do that kind of damge may well have, and probably will have twisted the shell / altered the suspension alignment - not too difficult to pull back in most case, but only with the right gear. Ring around, it wont cost much, otherwise you could be throwing money away. - that is not a job for a panel beater etc until the car has been fully jigged and pulled if needed.

captainslarty said:

You need to watch for contracoup damage in that kind of shunt - they dont write them off for nothing as the old saying goes.
Ensure you get it on a Car-O-Liner or similar jig.
Any impact to do that kind of damge may well have, and probably will have twisted the shell / altered the suspension alignment - not too difficult to pull back in most case, but only with the right gear. Ring around, it wont cost much, otherwise you could be throwing money away. - that is not a job for a panel beater etc until the car has been fully jigged and pulled if needed.

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This^^^

I'd be checking the boot floor too.

Known my mechanic for years - he checked it and knew about the suspension and axle. Didn't think it needed rejigging, but he can do it anyway if need be. Boot was checked and is fine.

The cost of axle and quarter panel pushed the cost through the roof, apparently. Given the scarcity of parts, I was expecting a write off tbh. Just had a hunch.

Anyway, I wouldn't have bought it back if I didn't think it was affordable or worth it. The car deserves a second chance, and given how much has been spent to keep it pristine, it deserves it. When it gest done, it'll get done right.

Chose a different mechanic,
If he thinks it doesn't need it sack him. It does need it to ensure it is OK.
He cannot tell by must looking. It is a matter of simple physics.
The jigging is for what the human eye cannot tell.
It is your funeral, or may be next time.

Also look up the meaning of contrecoup in the context of impact damage and deformation as you and your mechanic do not seem to understand the concept.

captainslarty said:

Chose a different mechanic,
If he thinks it doesn't need it sack him. It does need it to ensure it is OK.
He cannot tell by must looking. It is a matter of simple physics.
The jigging is for what the human eye cannot tell.
It is your funeral, or may be next time.

Also look up the meaning of contrecoup in the context of impact damage and deformation as you and your mechanic do not seem to understand the concept.

Click to expand...

you can tell from the photo the damage
the clue is the door shut

s and b said:

you can tell from the photo the damage
the clue is the door shut

Click to expand...

Agreed, that is nothing more than panel and axel damage. I'd be more concerned that the axel mounting points haven't been nudged out of alignment a little, but this'll become more than evident when fitting the replacement.

No UK body shop would put that on a jig even if it is an insurance repair.

Totally disagree Jon, sorry.
In an impact like this , to do so much damage, the forces are spread as per the design. Deformation is part of the process of impact absorbsion. There is not enough to see in that photo, the door fit is out to me, the rear quarter is forward ,the rear door leading edge lower is out. Regardless of what you can or cannot see, the forces involved and damage sustained mean it NEEDS to be jigged and align checked, no question.
We will agree to disagree.