Happy Birthday

[The_Hawk]

I was only half listening so August is probably right.

The only reason I know anything about this is when I registered the Multivan I needed a blueslip since it was coming form interstate and when I was registering it at the RTA the girl was saying that the system is randomly picking cars for an inspection (which they may very well have done before all this, but she said they are doing lots with the new regs). Anyway, when questioned she said the inspection stations are in Unanderra, Penrith or Wollongong (I was at Campbelltown so I assume thats just the local ones) but she went on to say that they were booked out for the next three weeks and the vehicle CANNOT be registered until it passes that inspection. She didn't mention costs and I didn't ask, so have no clue there. Luckily I wasn't hit becuase I can tell you I would be pretty pissed to have a brand spanking new car sitting on the grass and unregisterable.

Back to the "new category", it's just a question of what happens with cheap cars that have minor bingles. It wouldn't take much to turn a Mk3 into a write off in the insurance companies eyes considering their current value... Mk1's and Mk2's would almost be one parking lot ding away from there too

[tigger19]

I didn't get a chance to even turn the engine over before the tow truck arrived so no idea of the mechanical damage (other than radiator which was obvious). The repairable write-off comment was from the tow driver which makes me worry that given the age of the car it will be far easier for the assessor to say write-off than examine the mechanicals closely. Is this the experience of others? What damage would occur if a manual vehicle is shunted 5m while parked in first gear with handbrake on?

[YellowDieselGolf]

Ouch. Not good . . . Just another reason to hate telstra.

[The_Hawk]

makes me worry that given the age of the car it will be far easier for the assessor to say write-off than examine the mechanicals closely.

The assessor will look at the car purely from a cost perspective. They will have a magical number (which essentially the insured amount less the salvage value) and if the repairs exceed that number they will write it off, simple as that. It's worth keeping close tabs on them if you think that's a possibility and you want to keep the car.

Ouch. Not good . . . Just another reason to hate telstra.

Funny you say that, one of my mates had a car written off by a Telstra van cornering on a country road drifting onto the wrong side of the road...

[tigger19]

UPDATE.
Turns out it was repairable. I got my car back yesterday- so I'm still in shock. They told me it was going to take ages and I couldn't get any information regarding the assessment - so I had no idea what was going on. The repairers said they have been so sick of just doing hail damage jobs they bumped this up the list. The bill apparently came to close to $8K - I had the bonnet, rhs guard and pretty much the front of the car replaced including new radiator, condensor, bumper and even a new valance. The gear box was rebuilt new first synchro - and so far everything seems OK. I'll know for sure after a more 'spirited' drive (legally of course), but I'm happier than I expected to be. Not sure I would have have been given the option to repair by my insurance if they had been paying for it but at least now I don't have any stone chips on the bonnet

[Rybky]

Only $8k for all that? If they did a gearbox rebuild as well I would expect a higher amount than that.

Great news that you got it back and so quick too!

Adam

[Speed]

UPDATE.
Turns out it was repairable. I got my car back yesterday- so I'm still in shock. They told me it was going to take ages and I couldn't get any information regarding the assessment - so I had no idea what was going on. The repairers said they have been so sick of just doing hail damage jobs they bumped this up the list. The bill apparently came to close to $8K - I had the bonnet, rhs guard and pretty much the front of the car replaced including new radiator, condensor, bumper and even a new valance. The gear box was rebuilt new first synchro - and so far everything seems OK. I'll know for sure after a more 'spirited' drive (legally of course), but I'm happier than I expected to be. Not sure I would have have been given the option to repair by my insurance if they had been paying for it but at least now I don't have any stone chips on the bonnet

With exception to the gearbox rebuild, I did all that plus airbags, headlights & radiator support for my wifes golf and it cost me $1,500.

Glad you've got her back on the road.