crashed my V70 TDI

[amazondean]

I have crashed my V70 TDI. I want to try and get it repaired, but the very front of the chassis has buckled slightly and has moved over a bit. Basically the front bumper was sheared off after hitting a ford KA in his rear drivers side as he went passed in front of me at 60mph, as i tried to cross over a dangerous crossroads.

Does anyone think it can be straightened for a reasonable cost, or am i wasting my time. Its going through the insurance at the moment. I know they will write it off but might have the chance to buy it back at a reasonable price. Its just too good a car to me to just throw away if it can be repaired. I can source another bumper and the associated bits needed. Thanks

[rudi dudi]

It's more than likely possible to pull it back in shape on a body jig and dozer.
Is it worth if from a financial point of view is probably not.
It's not a diy repair if you've bent it.Your going to need a bodyshop.
Depends on how bad it's bent and how good your bodyshop is, but sometimes they never quite bend back 100% properly and always have odd tyre wear issues etc due to not going back to how they were pre accident.
Only you can decide.

[ITSv40]

If the chassis is bent, I think the most important thing at the moment is what category the insurance company will write it off. It may be illegal to repair and put back on the road or it might be a bit of filler and a rattle can and sorted.

[rudi dudi]

No bent chassis rails is ever going to be a bit of filler and rattle can.

[Pupbelly]

First off, establish what is required to repair it. It will likely be Cat S which is Structural. This can be repaired but it will massively affect the cars future value, so if you are planning to run it until it dies then a repair is possible.

Suss out what figure the insurance company will pay out (never take their first offer - always barter!) Then establish how much its going to cost to do the repairs, obviously with 2nd hand parts. It'll probably be worth seeking out a parts car i.e. buy an MOT failure V70 or a mechanically dead one that's dirt cheap and use that to rebuild yours. The hard part will be finding someone to do the jig work for you, but it's not impossible to find.

Do the sums and go from there - if you can be bothered. It all hinges on what the car means to you / what you have already invested in it over the recent years time/money.

Good luck!

[amazondean]

Thanks for the replies. The value moving forward is of no interest, as i tend to drive them to the point of no return anyway! I also have an 850 diesel that i have owned for nearly 13 years. Its still going strong at 240,000 miles! The thing with this car, is that it has only done 125,000 miles. It starts in an instant every time. Even at minus five. I never hear the engine do one revolution before it fires up. I have never had an older diesel start the way this one does.

I also don't want to spend more than its value. If it costs more than £1000 to repair, i think i shall let it go, I should be able to source the bits quite cheap hopefully!!

Other than the front of the chassis being slightly bent, the only other damage is the bumper, which is not repairable, headlight and indicator. The car still drives straight, there is no damage to the suspension, as i was able to drive it home!

I can let it go and risk buying another one, but the diesel varients are getting a bit thin on the ground now and i wouldn't have the confidence another older volvo would get me round the country without worrying about breaking down. At least not for some considerable time. I have total confidence with this one. Its not a mint car, but a decent hard working car. I'm not in love with it, but not sure i can find another good example that will replace it!!

[Pupbelly]

Based on what you have said amazondean and its driveable, I'd be tempted to panel it up and keep using it assuming you are happy that is it going in a straight line!

If it's going through the insurance, take the payout as a write off, make sure you can buy it back, and use the remaining money to buy the bits required and for the paintwork to be done. You might end up in profit!

The straightening of the chassis might be something you can do yourself if its just a case of getting fixing points to line up. As you are the only one that's going to be driving it, and there's no chance of you part exchanging it anytime soon or ever then, yeah do a repair that you consider suitable and keep the old girl rolling. (I'd get a 4 wheel alignment done if nothing else just to make sure tyre wear is kept to a minimum)

[amazondean]

yeah, i will post on here what the outcome is. My gut feeling is that i might have to let it go, as i don't have time to sort this myself. Straightening the chassis is going to be tough as a DIY, the steel is so tough.

I still have the car, so will try one or two body shops. The salvage company want me to contact them to take it away, but at the moment i need to keep hold of it to see if someone can do it at an affordable price before i commit to anything.

[Pupbelly]

Would it panel up ok without any re-bending?

[rudi dudi]

The supply of these diesels might be my fault.
I've got 12 of them here in various states