REPLACE PARTS INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT

From the day of the accident, I was contacted to collect the vehicle to repair it. When I informed Chris that the AirBags popped, he said the car will be written off. I explained that I will first inspect the vehicle myself (35 years experience on accident related incidents and repair procedures).

I arranged with a reputable company to replace the Air Bags and Seat Belt Storking devices. This was done at a reasonable price. I overinspected the work and it was done very professionally (would not say it was in an accident).

The windscreen was replaced and two tie-rods were replaced.

Although I drove the car, testing it, it was pulling straight and did not indicate any deviations, I took the car for a Wheel-Alignment report and it was reported that the RH camber is out with -00.94 and the caster +08.69, just slighly out of range.

After the repairs with a proper inspection on the parts that were damaged, I found many components that i.e. sensors etc. which only needs to be removed and installed on the replaced parts. Some parts, were in an excellent condition and did not need replacement.

On Santam's recommendation, my wife took the vehicle to Rubicon Panel Beaters for a quotation. I requested them to contact me when they receive the vehicle.

I was telephonically told on the arrival of the vehicle that the car is a write-off.

Looking at quotation, I found many parts quoted to be replaced although the usable parts were available in the vehicle.

From my point of view the Quotaion is "loaded" to s**** the vehicle to recover it a good value (to be bid on).

I noticed that they only quoted to replace all the parts instead of taking the effort to repair some e.g. the RH door which only requires panelbeating.

It is easy to replace all parts instead of repairing it.

1. If you want to have your vehicle repaired, be CAUSIOUS as they want to s**** it.

2. They do not repair but only replace parts. They "LOAD" the quotation on purpose.

3. They are not prepared to come to site to provide a ON-SITE estimate.