Car pushed down hill while parked - potential damage?

[roshea]

I've just had a call from home telling my that my car got hit by a runaway cherry picker (some sort of malfunction while it was setting up its support legs) and pushed 50 m down a hill while it was parked with the handbrake on. Apart from the body damage, should I be getting the engine or gearbox checked out for damage due to this incident?

Not bloody happy, BTW - sure, the company responsible will be paying to get it fixed, but I need a car on the weekend so that will be the first thing I'll be getting them to arrange (hire car not covered by my insurance).

[Hillbilly]

I've just had a call from home telling my that my car got hit by a runaway cherry picker (some sort of malfunction while it was setting up its support legs) and pushed 50 m down a hill while it was parked with the handbrake on. Apart from the body damage, should I be getting the engine or gearbox checked out for damage due to this incident?

Not bloody happy, BTW - sure, the company responsible will be paying to get it fixed, but I need a car on the weekend so that will be the first thing I'll be getting them to arrange (hire car not covered by my insurance).

If it was in gear Yes

And wheel alignment probably also check tyres for flat spots

[roshea]

Thanks for the reply - good suggestion about the tyres!

It was in Park, with the handbrake on.

[Hillbilly]

Thanks for the reply - good suggestion about the tyres!

It was in Park, with the handbrake on.

Get it checked then

[zei20t]

also check the wheels for gutter bashing. not only alignment, but if its been bumped up the gutter, have all the suspension looked at

[bobski]

Pushed 50m? Ouch. Possibly a write off?

[roshea]

Not much damage that's obvious (now that I've had a look in good light) - rear bumper, tailgate and the subframe / panel (?) that's under there. The repairer that I took it to today (recommended by VolksTech here in Melbourne) suggested an amount significantly less than write-off. The tailgate still closes, but there's a gap at either side.



Front and sides look fine but I haven't had a proper look underneath. As I understand it (and I haven't talked to the operator, only people who got the info afterwards), the truck basically rolled into the back of my car when they were setting up and pushed it slowly down the hill.

[Hillbilly]

Still would pay to get suspension checked if it hit a gutter and the tyres for flat spots Too late if you accept it and find its got more damage later.

[roshea]

Still would pay to get suspension checked if it hit a gutter and the tyres for flat spots Too late if you accept it and find its got more damage later.

Yes, for sure! The wheels and the sides of the tyres look ok (to me, anyway), but the panel repair place will coordinate with VolksTech to thoroughly check the mechanical side of things.

[Scanners]

I know it is not the same thing, but we had our car stolen years ago. The Police found it dumped in the middle of night and rang us so we went and picked it from where it was dumped. It looked all right to us as if they had a joy ride. Anyway we drove it home and got it checked by the mechanics the next day. They found the Steering Wheel cable was a few mm away from snapping. We would never have known if we didn't get everything checked out as it looked and drove all right to us.

For peace of mind, get everything looked at.