car crash - the cherry on 2020’s top!

[Guest]

Last night my 2020 got even more eventful when I had a car crash . No one else involved thank goodness and we’re all fine apart from the car that, well, let’s just say took all the damage.

Bit bruised and shaken up today, spent most of it crying or sleeping on and off. Insurance is all on the case, doubt it’ll be repaired tbh. But that means the search is on for a new car.

Can’t afford to buy one outright at the mo, so considering a new or nearly new one on pcp. Been a few threads recently about cars so good timing.

But if anyone has any advice on the pros/cons of getting a brand new or nearly new car I’d very much appreciate it xx

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Ouch. never a good time to lose a car but even more so at this difficult time

However it's only metal and the main thing is you are all ok.

I suspect you will get dozens of replies and mine will be of little use to you I suspect as I like powerful diesel cars so a dinosaur really!

However. My tip is never buy brand new as you lose £1000's as you drive off the forecourt

I change maybe every 20 to 30 Months and always get a pre registered car from a Main dealer.
Basically a car that's up to 4 or 6 Months old but with les than 10 miles on the clock.

The savings can be immense.

[disneypars]

So sorry to hear this.
The only advice I could offer is to do some research as to the current value of your car eg year, mileage, service record etc. Search for prices of comparable car so you can agree price with your insurance company. In my previous experiences of dealing with them they rarely offer top valuation initially.

[Pupbelly]

How bad is the car? Year, make damage?

Do not buy new - complete waste of money literally.
PCP - Likewise, it is a black hole of never ending debt on a car you will never own.
Depending on the damage you could buy the car back from the insurance company and get it repaired - insurance costings are disgusting and simple accidents write off cars that can easily be sorted.

If you are not comfortable with that, buy second hand and avoid german and french brands. Japanese or Korean (Kia etc.) are a sound purchase mechanically.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Pupbelly

How bad is the car? Year, make damage?

Do not buy new - complete waste of money literally.
PCP - Likewise, it is a black hole of never ending debt on a car you will never own.
Depending on the damage you could buy the car back from the insurance company and get it repaired - insurance costings are disgusting and simple accidents write off cars that can easily be sorted.

If you are not comfortable with that, buy second hand and avoid german and french brands. Japanese or Korean (Kia etc.) are a sound purchase mechanically.

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Oh it’s totalled - the front is in several several pieces!

2014 Toyota Yaris hybrid.

I just can’t afford to drain my savings to buy a second hand car outright - what I know about cars wouldn’t even fill a postage stamp so I would be terrified of getting a second hand car that could need repairs in a few months time etc.

I go on maternity leave in a months time so this is such a unsure time for me! I just don’t know what to do for the best. Part of me thinks just wait until next year to see how my situation is once baby has arrived and doing well and this Covid stuff has maybe/possibly/sort-of started to calm down 🤷

[Pupbelly]

Have the airbags gone off? If not it sounds like it could be repaired, but I appreciate most folk would not entertain it.
Be very careful with PCP, it is an endless commitment to something that isn't yours, especially if it is second hand and being PCP'd.
Bank loans are dirt cheap at the moment, but to be honest for circa £3k you can pick up some very nice solid reliable cars, but it is a minefield! I'm a bit of a car anorak so its all very easy for me to spout and waffle on!

[ClaireNJ]

Sorry to hear this, glad you’re ok 💕💕xx

[Guest]

Just thought I’d update this to say my insurance rang this morning declaring it a write off 😢. They offered over the parkers rec price too so was very pleased with the settlement, and impressed with the speed of it being processed - I only had the accident Tuesday evening.
But I’ve got a bit more to put towards a car now, just got to start looking and decide if I want to get a new one before or after my baby arrives!

[OutbackAddict]

We used carwow and were really impressed, had intended to buy a nearly new seat ateca but put all the details in the site and a deal cropped up about 35 miles away 5.5k discount on a brand new one, which was cheaper than the nearly new/ second hand ones we had been looking at, very simple deal to do and a great outcome for us