Car fax/max-damaged car

[Susie]

Hi

I have just been speaking to a friend of mine who says if you have a car crash and lots of damage it is reported to car max/fax or someone

They also said if my jag is reported, which is more than likely it will devalue my car by up to 40%.

I am concerned at the amount of damage to my car and worried the chasis may be damaged. My friend said get someone independant to look at it and request it is written off or make a claim for the depreciation as a result of the damage. The cost of repair is $21,000 .00 and rising but the body shop said it will not be written. Paid over $100.000.00 for car in April of 2006 and as it is too bigh for me asked Jag to buy it back in June. They only offered me $68,000 for it then and dread to think what they would give me now, once repaired

Can anyone give me names or number of someone who is independant who could look at me car and advise? Would my ins company be able to help

I am very nervous of driving my car again incase structual damage has occured.

Any sugestions? thanks

[punky]

It shouldn't lower the car's value if you can prove to the buyer it was repaired by a reputable repair company. They may be a stigma IF it is listed on carfax (most accidents go on there, but not all do. Its there to find cars that were illegally recovered, not every car that's had a small accident), then this might be an issue your atttorneys can take up regarding compensation.

From what I hear of it, its not damaged the chasis or anything, only a couple of panels. Its not totalled, or anywhere near. The car will be fine to drive. The car will be fully checked out before its returned to you.

[UK Marc]

well let me tell you that its unlikely your jag has chassis damage......as all cars are designed to take quite a lot of damage before they sustain anything termial ................you can check by measuring the distance between the wheels....if the distances between the wheels are different then its likely you may have problems (assuming the wheels wern't directly hit)
I used to buy a lot of so called "insurance write-offs" have them repaired! its not hard to work out if its badly damaged...looks a lot worse than it is i expect!!

[DebbieM]

Spoke to my husband about this as we have now brought 3 used vehicles in the US. Every one came with a CarFax report FOC which is similar to the HPi check that you can get done in the UK.

Aparently any repair that is undertaken through an insurance company or otherwise is reported on there. So even if the damage was done by an authorize Jag dealership it will still be listed, the whole purpose of the report is to pick up incidents like this. If the repair is done properly then I would expect it to be safe, roadworthy etc. Problems begin when you do sell it because if you have two identical vehicles for the same price on the lot - one has a report of damage and one is clear, which one are you going to buy?

He suggested speaking to your insurance company because if your vehicle is going to be devalued as a result of an accident which was not your fault then surely you should be compensated in the settlement for the reduction in price.

I think you need some professional advice on this because the wrong decision could cost you dearly in the future.

[DavidL]

Yes, it will certainly be listed on carfax and will certainly hit the value. Unless it is a real mess, I wouldn't think that they would write it off otherwise the ins co stand to lose more than the possible $21k unless it has major damage.

[Grumpy]

The car will be devalued so get some legal advise. You could call the dealership or body repair shop as they must know about the devalue of your car

[Susie]

Thank for your replies. I have called Collier Jag dealership and the body shop the dealership sends all their repairs to. They have both confirmed the value of my car will be heavily affected by the crash and given me a number I can call to obtain specialist advise

The bill is now growing fast and the repair shop will not be able to give a final estimate until work has commenced and well under way as other items may need to be rectified.