Anto

 

 

Ok great so I think from you said it could be best to let them offer me their write off value (they've said £1450) and then ask to buy it back off them and see what they want from me?  I didn't think it'd cost that much to just replace a wing and repair the bumper so not sure why they've said it's a write off at all. 

 

 

In the first instance they tend to default to the cost of new replacement panels direct from the manufacturer, then fitting and paint by a professional. That all stacks up and when it starts getting anywhere remotely close to their insurance valuation they just deem it simpler to write the car off.

 

Personally I'd save myself the cost of the excess and source a replacement panel in the same colour for £25-50 as others have said, then either bolt it on yourself or get a local garage to do it for you.

 

Somewhere like CBS Autos in Colne or any would be a good one stop shop if its not too far, or any decent specialist for that matter - you'll probably be able to source the part and get it fitted at the same time.

 

Ok thanks for the advice.  I don't have an excess don't I don't need to worry about that.  I'm getting a call from an engineer today so if I can buy it back at scrap value I probably will just source a part myself and get someone to colour match it and fit it for a fraction of the cost the insurers think it would be.

Yeah, me too...  The Service history receipts that I have say that my car is 103KW but any time I go to buy parts online and I enter my reg into their system it says my car is 107KW, 146BHP.  So I'm pretty confused :-(

 

Did you ever find a way to find out your car's spec?

Not the exact spec no, other than what you've done online when you enter your reg number on numerous parts websites it might come up with a bit more detail! Good luck.  Let me know if you figure out how please! 

I would contest that being a right off, as above it's only a wing and bumper. How much are they claiming the damage is worth? If they are saying the market value of the car is very low (under £1000) then maybe just buy it back for the £100 or so it'll cost you and fix it yourself. Or maybe contest it and come to a cash agreement of £300-£400 or something and as above just get second hand parts to replace them with?

 

 

I had a far worse knock and the insurance company was trying to claim it was £3500 of damage for a bumper, wing and cross member. I stood my ground and got an agreed £1000. With it I got a new genuine cross member from mazda, it welded on and painted, the rest of the front sheet metal perfectly restored, two wings including paint, a bonnet including paint both sides, a front bumper and sports lip including paint, a pair of perfect head lights and a new passenger door. Basically I got the entire front half of the car fully repainted and prevented the car being declared a write off. The restoration (along with some work i'd already had done to the rear) has then been used to justify my agreed value to prevent such a ball ache again.

Ok great so I think from you said it could be best to let them offer me their write off value (they've said £1450) and then ask to buy it back off them and see what they want from me?  I didn't think it'd cost that much to just replace a wing and repair the bumper so not sure why they've said it's a write off at all. 

Cut a bit of clearance on the hinge arm or twat it/ bend it until the strut fits. Bending probably a more refined solution...

That's an idea I had but didn't really want to do any damage.

Are you sure it shouldn’t fit from the other side?

https://www.mx5parts.../bootlifter.pdf

Ah, the PDF instructions do show a clearer picture.  I will give that a go tomorrow.  Looks like I misread the instructions! 

Thanks for your help guys! 

Unofficially it is a mk2.5 as that's what the 2001-2005 facelift model has come to be known as.

 

One more thing - is it a 5 or 6 speed 'box?

 

Never mind, its a 5 speed - identification guide here: https://www.mx5parts...in-ID-Chart.jpg

Thanks for the info.  That guide is handy! Looking forward to learning everything there is to know and enjoying her!