Repair or scrap?

[pheelay]

Hey there!

So I joined these forums a little over a month ago but so far haven't shared any pics of my baby as she's not in the best of shapes at the moment...

To cut a long story short, one night back in January, I was hit by someone who ran a red light. Fairly low speed collision, point of impact: front corners. Car still drives, steering is straight, no leaks etc but front bumper (Mk2) is cracked + the bonnet shifted about inch and is jammed shut.

Insurance have offered 4200?. The dealer and insurance costed the repairs at 3800-4000 (french dealer prices = ???) and that's basically just new bumper, bonnet, wing, headlight and labour, i.e. there was no check for more serious damage underneath. The problem is they cannot get the parts.

I'm trying to decide now if it's worth getting the car repaired myself for less or to just let them scrap it. I'm wondering if I would have the same problem finding parts?

I know full damage can't be guessed by one pic. but for the main body parts, how easy would they be to source in Britain? (bumper and wing seem to be the most difficult to find) or would I be mad to try to undertake these repairs at all given the the settlement offered by the insurance? I like my ZS and don't like seeing it go off the road for what seems like such minor damage!

Hope you all had a good Paddy's Day!
Phil

[stamford]

Not a bad payout all things considered. What have you been quoted for buying it back? That will determine if its financially viable. Other thing is, if it's a left hooker what's the chances of finding another if you intend to have another ZS?

[petet16]

The panels would be pretty easy to source in the UK, some new and some s/h, do French insurance repairs have to be with new parts as is the case in the UK.

The pay out offered isn't bad, but it seems a shame to write it off for such light damage.

[pheelay]

600? to buy back. If I understood the guy correctly (language barriers!) insurance would pay 4200 - 600 = 3600? to keep the car and repair myself. As there's no safety issue, there's no problem doing the repairs elsewhere and no need to get it checked/tested after the repairs.

It's right-hand-drive (took it with me from Ireland, complete with the awe-inspiring 1.4L engine) and if I replaced it I'd try pick one up in the UK. The second hand car prices here are ridiclous. Dervs are going for 7-8000?

[peterzs]

Could source 2nd hand parts and get them sprayed up, be a cheaper fix.

http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/presul...php?slctCar=mg

Dont know about shipping costs but dont suppose they would not be too bad.

[lawrence-zs180]

I found that when I was looking for a 4x4 when I lived out there... at least 3 times more sometimes.
Good luck with getting the car sorted.. or getting another.

[KevG]

New Wing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-ZS-L-H-Fron...item19b7bd719c
Bumper
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-ZS-MK2-FACE...item564240ee94
Bonnet
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-ZS-Rover-45...item25607f36ef

[wackyschild]

Got to be worth repairing I would have thought as long as the damage is limited to what we can see in the photo.You can get the parts in the UK, even 2cnd hand ones, I'd hope you should be able to repair her well within the money given out by the insurance.

[marts66]

Keep it on the road, the world needs more Zeds

[pheelay]

Originally Posted by marts66

Keep it on the road, the world needs more Zeds

Lol, won't argue with you there!!

It's time I got myself a 180 all the same but I will go with the buy back option and do the repairs leisurely in the background.