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Car accident - is it worth considering to do repairs myself
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10say
User
Oct 15, 2014, 7:13 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1460 views)
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Car accident - is it worth considering to do repairs myself
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Hi everyone,
We own a 2001 Honda civic LX (140k miles) and we got into a car accident a few weeks ago.
The hit was frontal.
According to the mechanic the total cost of repairs would be around $5000, which is way more than the actual price of the car.
Here are the damages:
- Radiator to fix/replace (green fluid leaking) ?
- AC to fix
- Both seatbelts are locked and require a fix
- Airbag control module to replace/fix ?
- Front Bumber damaged (small hole and dents)
The most expensive elements to fix are the seatbelts and airbag control module.
I read that some companies offer to sell the broken parts for seatbelts and offer to reset airbag control modules for cheap.
That would mean that I have to remove these elements from the car, send them, after they repair them I would have to reassemble everything.
However, as you may have noticed I don't know much about cars.
I don't have money to buy a car, and don't have enough to get it fixed by a mechanic.
Do you think that with a lot of time to learn how to do it and the right tools I could repair it by myself?
If yes, could you please tell me the best way to do it, and what I can do by myself and what elements I should absolutely get repaired by a professional?
Many thanks in advance, and sorry for my bad english.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 15, 2014, 11:24 PM
Post #2 of 2
(1441 views)
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Re: Car accident - is it worth considering to do repairs myself
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Accident damage - a mystery unless right there most of the time and still tough to know extent of what will be needed. If this was just parts replacement it still could take much more than you would likely have access to and YOU admit you don't know much about it.
Things bent might need straightening before a new something will fit and so on. Has an adjuster for body damage checked this damage out or how did you come up with any dollar # for the fix?
A/C alone you really wont know until it's all sealed up and any broken parts back what could be unseen damage.
Safety items might require only be done by certified tech(s) to be valid. Some of this varies place by place what is legal or not if you did have the know how and tools to do.
Is car considered or marked a "salvage" vehicle now? Where I am this car would not be allowed back in service on public roads without a new valid inspection and possibly a new title stating it was once a total loss fixed up meaning a "Salvage Title" which with the best of the best repairs ruins the value of a car as a fixed up wreck.
Hard situation but another car would probably be the best option with this as a trade- in the condition it is in now or find out it's value from a salvage yard would offer for it towards another. Awful hard to say what is best for each situation,
T
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