Some c*nt smashed into the back. Rear tailgate mullered.

Also has written off £5k of mountain bikes in the process.

Everyone is ok.

Glad everyone's ok!

Hope you got their insurance details!

Blast, bugger etc.

As they say in the US - I'm sorry for your loss.

Nick C wrote:Hope you got their insurance details!

Balls to that! I hope you've got a club hammer and an address!

Glad you're alright, it's a real shame

Still there's been plenty of minters knocking about on the bay recently, just search for volvo and drift

Sorry to hear that mate, glad every-one's OK. ^^^^ Yeah, don't use force, just use bigger hammer.
Hope you'll get insurance.

Sorry to hear that too Whats the plan now?

That is a tragedy. Such a nice car! At least it had a fresh MOT and you'd polished it, that should make a bit difference when the insurance people come & look at it.

Is it "fixable"?

Tom

Argh no! That's a bitch.. glad everyone is ok. Hopefully insurance wont be too crap with it all...

Pants, glad everyone is ok, but the car and the bikes make it a PITA. Insurance companies are generally a slippery bunch, they'll try and tell you it's worth sod all and will want to write it off. It's too good for that. If it is only the tailgate and it's still pretty good elsewhere, make them return it to it's former condition. Sadly, a fresh MOT means nothing to them, or other new items, i.e. a brand new set of tyres will cut no ice, as they'll tell you they are an item required by law no matter what. So if you've just spent hundreds on new items, they'll not take that into account. However if the rest of it looks clean and tidy it might help your case a bit.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Pete

i think by law they have to return it to its previous condition if you want them to.

Doesn't look too bad to be honest. Assuming that's all the damage that is, and that the boot floor isn't bent.

I'd say that car was worth £450 without tax. Firstly get a minimum of 3 quotes to have it repaired and one of them by Volvo (they'll most likely hand a over a slip of paper saying 'in our opinion the car is beyond economical repair'). Get the insurance to write it off due to the value of the repairs exceeding the value of the car and get something in writing to that effect, but insist you are allowed to buy it back. Typically they'll charge you 10% of the value to do this, so all being well you should see a nice cheque for £405. £25 for another tailgate, £80 to get it sprayed and £300 in the back pocket.

I have claimed over the phone that the car is worth £1k. An inspector is coming to see all the damage so will see what happens. I intend to keep this car on the road if possible but I will most likely sell it. After the damage to our bikes, I'm not sure I can use a rack again. Time for some van hunting!

Oh no, that sucks Hopefully you can save it. At times like this it may be worth having proof of the value of other 300's. I've saved a few e-bay actions that went rather well in case of a similar situation

MJ, can you please email me those auction links. I'll show them when the inspector comes.