Today my dad crashed his 2009 Volkswagen Golf. Anyone here able to estimate the damage?
The shop where it will be repaired is booked until the 20th of December. My dad is kind of worried. Is this serious?
Is anyone here able to estimate collision damage?
Not really, not one can really gauge mechanical damage based of pictures.
It does look like the rear suspension components are damaged, probably (at least) control arms and the wheel bearings - but it might be a lot more serious! requires a shop to inspect it first.
estimate
Although I can't say any numbers, I just do not know: These kinds of repairs, when done properly, get very expensive very fast!
Personally with such an old car, first I'd find a shop to figure out what's the damange to the suspension and frame, then if it's nothing serious (like needing new control arms and a wheel bearing) I'd repair those and then just delete the fog lights, delete the bottom grills, find the cheapest front bumper cover (probably by going to junkyards. also ask your self if the cover really needs to be painted?) and mount the rear bumper creatively (there are more elegant ways to do it than dry wall screws) - this might be a controversial 'take'.
Realize that you want to FIRST get an estimate from the shop -
if they want to instal new OEM parts and paint them it will probably be many thousands of dollars! WAY more than it makes sense to 'invest' in a 13 year old Volkswagen.
The shop where it will be repaired
If the frame is seriously bent or damaged / you can't find a place to do it for a reasonable sum, consider just claiming insurance and sending it off to the junkyard - not all cars are worth repairing / not worth restoring to 'as new' condition.
Yes.
Of course not. Nobody in their right mind would estimate an insurance claim based on photos. You can't see what's beneath the bodywork, or underneath the car. Can't see the welds or structural components.
It could be anywhere between $1,000 and total write-off.
It could be anywhere between $1,000 and total write-off.
Plus, it’s in Europe..
Looking at the bent rear wheels, I wouldn’t even bother investing large amounts of money into this. If the inspection reveals damage to the chassis, it’s..
Hard to tell with just picture. But just using the pictures, it looks like it is more than just superficial damage. The rear tire seems to be off, and me need a ton of suspension components and work to get it right.
