Another one had an accident

[pete-p]

Thanks everyone. Hopefully I'll get it sorted, of course it means I need the hire car for longer although I will be mitigating my losses by changing it for something a little smaller. Maybe an A6 or Q5, not sure our rear facing car seat would work well in anything much smaller.

Originally Posted by moltuae

I don't think you'll be able to persuade them to change their valuation. I think they use reference data, based on trade values, that they have to adhere to.

Like I said earlier (here), same thing happened to me. It should be possible to get them to agree to give you a cash payout instead. In which case you would get to keep the car (without any recorded write-off against it) and the £2.5K that they would've paid you to replace it, though they may offer less as a cash payout, or deduct the scrap value. You're then free to take the car anywhere you like for the repair and have it repaired with used parts if you prefer.

This is the thing, they've offered £2.5k but will 'dispose of the salvage', so presumably if I say I want to fix it myself they'll reduce this 'offer'...

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Ffs thats total BS I paid more than that for mine with known engine problems.

Can't you negotiate the value by showing other similar examples? I've done that before although it was a long time ago. If they consider it a write-off and pay out surely it does get recorded?

Oh and another thing - I was looking at my headlight the other day and it looks *exactly* like your picture. Is someone mistaking the gap between the rubber seal and the plastic housing as a crack? If it doesn't need a headlight could you get them to just repair the bodywork?

I've no idea on the headlight, but it seems that it's fairly insignificant given the valuation at this point. You'd think they would know and I've told the garage I'm happy for it to be repaired.

Originally Posted by paulrstaylor

This - keep it polite.

They need to put you back into pre-claim position, that could be by repairing your car, they could find you an equivalent car that you are happy with or they can give you a cash settlement.

If they are insistent on cash (or if you prefer that and they agree) then ask them to find you another similar car for sale for £2,500. Bear in mind, you are not a trader so it is retail value that counts - not trade. Alternatively you may be able to agree a partial payment/keep the car also known as a contract repair, they pay you and you get it fixed as you see fit.

Good luck with your negotiations

I've sent them the links for these:

Professor Peach Now sold though.

Dealer Pre-Facelift? No photos.

What I think has happened is that they've used the Glasses guide (I think Audi Ensurance lady even said that). This appears to base the value on a standard A8 as I've done a basic valuation on their website and it came back at £1.5k, they've then added on the 'optional extras' (although standard equipment on an S8) to give the value at £2.5k.