Rear ended by Audi A3

Barry14UK · November 5, 2020

My pride and joy rear ended!

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured but my car has suffered more damage than what at a quick glance appears to be just a damaged bumper and possibly bumper iron, lower offside rear fog light, and dented hatch. I see the exhaust is quite damaged. (If a new exhaust comes complete and the cat is OK, in the damaged one I will ask for it as it could come in handy!) There is a rather loud whirring noise when the car starts which stops after a few seconds and then cuts in intermittently for a few seconds. The low loader driver who collected the car from my home today thought as I did that it might be a pump for the air suspension cutting in due to damage to the air suspension components somewhere.

The old A3 suffered much more obvious damage, couldn't be started and the driver and two Policemen pushed it over a verge and onto a convenient layby while I was able to back up into the layby while Police held up the traffic so we could exchange details. I asked the A3 driver if his brakes had failed but he said he had just braked too late. (I wouldn't be surprised if he had been on his phone but I mustn't cast aspersions). It happened about 2.20pm and visibility was good although the roads were wet with intermittent rain along the road. Luckily, the other driver who ploughed into me was insured so I have set up at claim for repair but not through my insurance company. I will post more about this as it was quite involved and some others may find it interesting should they be in a similar position. Anyway, for now here is my car, taken at home and the other car taken at the scene of the crime.

ISJason · November 5, 2020

Sorry to hear it. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

ALAW · November 6, 2020

35 minutes ago, Barry14UK said:

My pride and joy rear ended!

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured but my car has suffered more damage than what at a quick glance appears to be just a damaged bumper and possibly bumper iron, lower offside rear fog light, and dented hatch. I see the exhaust is quite damaged. (If a new exhaust comes complete and the cat is OK, in the damaged one I will ask for it as it could come in handy!) There is a rather loud whirring noise when the car starts which stops after a few seconds and then cuts in intermittently for a few seconds. The low loader driver who collected the car from my home today thought as I did that it might be a pump for the air suspension cutting in due to damage to the air suspension components somewhere.

The old A3 suffered much more obvious damage, couldn't be started and the driver and two Policemen pushed it over a verge and onto a convenient layby while I was able to back up into the layby while Police held up the traffic so we could exchange details. I asked the A3 driver if his brakes had failed but he said he had just braked too late. (I wouldn't be surprised if he had been on his phone but I mustn't cast aspersions). It happened about 2.20pm and visibility was good although the roads were wet with intermittent rain along the road. Luckily, the other driver who ploughed into me was insured so I have set up at claim for repair but not through my insurance company. I will post more about this as it was quite involved and some others may find it interesting should they be in a similar position. Anyway, for now here is my car, taken at home and the other car taken at the scene of the crime.

Sorry to read this Barry hope you get sorted to your satisfaction. The A3 looks in a bad way. Interested in you going through set a claim for repair never heard of this before how does this work.

Brent

Barry14UK · November 6, 2020

Hi Brent,

As you are doubtless aware, you have to inform your Insurers if you are involved in a RTA. However, even if you are not at fault, if you have them claim against the other driver who was clearly responsible for the accident your insurers may 'load' your premium at renewal time. I arranged my insurance through a broker who suggested that as the other driver was at fault and insured, I pursue my claim for repairs through an 'Accident Management Company' and tell the insurers that the information I gave them was for information only. So when it comes to renewal time and I seek competitive quotes, I have not made a claim. To cut a very long story short and finding the firm that my broker suggested, I found they couldn't do all I wanted, so I contacted my nearest Lexus dealership at Exeter (Snows Group). They passed me onto Lexus Care Assist who collected my car today and have taken it to specialists in Southampton where Lexus Exeter send their cars when more involved work is required. So everything should be negotiated and handled by them and the car repaired then returned to me.

As regards compensation for the minor injuries, I decided not to go with the 'Ambulance Chasers' who promised me thousands of which they would take a good cut and a fee. Instead, as I have paid for Legal Cover originally through my brokers/Insurers. I am using their free to me legal claim firm to make a modest claim for minor injuries.

I hope this makes it understandable.

Illogan · November 6, 2020

What a damn shame Barry - - but a relief all round that there's no serious injuries, and I hope the wallet wont be too seriously bruised either.

Mind - now it's the darned inconvenience of the whole repair cycle that's a pain!

cruisermark · November 6, 2020

Glad you are ok

The Audi looks a right mess

JBPRX400h · November 6, 2020

Looks like Lexus one Audi nil.

Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

JBP

Mincey · November 6, 2020

43 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

Glad you are ok

The Audi looks a right mess

It did before the accident.

Glad you're ok Barry and I hope the damage is fixed promptly.

Thackeray · November 6, 2020

It's tempting to be partisan about this and say the Lexus came out of the accident well but the Audi did really badly and looks a real mess.

But remember that old Volkswagen ad from years ago? "You're in this cage for your own protection." What they meant was that in an accident the front would crumple while the cabin would remain rigid.

The front is meant to collapse and absorb all the energy so that all that force of impact is lessened for the passengers in both cars.

So realistically the Audi did pretty well at doing what it was supposed to. Injuries to the passengers seem to have been minimal and this is the best possible outcome even if the Audi is destroyed - you can't replace people the way you can replace cars.

And if it had been the Lexus running into the Audi, I expect the front of the Lexus would have collapsed - or at least let's hope so.

JeffL · November 6, 2020

Has anybody else had a no fault accident and taken the route Barry has of claiming through the other driver's insurance?

flookyk · November 6, 2020

3 hours ago, JeffL said:

Has anybody else had a no fault accident and taken the route Barry has of claiming through the other driver's insurance?

I did but at the request of my own insurance company when I had a Hyundai Tucson.

Both my insurance company and his were part of the same group so mine asked if I was OK if his insurance company handled it all.

It was just a light hit from behind which needed a replacement bumper and small dent in rear tailgate fixed.

His insurance company arranged for a hire car for me who picked me up from the repair centre to the hire car... they had got a brand new Toyota Auris with 7 miles on the clock delivered for me 20 mins before I arrived.

Barry14UK · November 7, 2020

Well I am not insured with Tesco but I received a two page letter from Tesco Bank yesterday dated 2nd Nov, who are the insurers for the driver who hit me. They say " We offer a wide range of services to help minimise any inconvenience caused as a result of the incident, all of which will be provided to you at no cost. We also have a team of people ready to support you through what is no doubt a time of inconvenience to you.

The main benefits of dealing with us directly include the fact that your No Claims Discount should not be affected under your own motor policy and you will not have to pay any excess that may apply."

They then say they will arrange for my vehicle to be collected, repaired by one of their approved repairers and returned to me. Alternatively they would offer me a full cash settlement for the claim. (The latter would be interesting but having put in a lot of time and effort to source my car I don't want to go that route). In any case, the car has already been collected by the people Lexus Exeter use and will be repaired at their Lexus approved centre in Southampton. Also, I have separately arranged for injury and sundry expenses through the law firm used by my insurers under the legal cover I paid for with the Insurance premium so at not cost to me.

Tesco offer me under the heading Injury, an assessment by a professional, if I feel I would benefit from treatment such as physiotherapy, or other recommended treatment at their cost and allude to some other advantages of using their services.

I sometimes get groceries and petrol from Tesco but they are not going to act for me against themselves!

Incidentally, I received another call yesterday from a different law firm looking for business.

Thank you to those that have posted commiserations and or interest. I will let you know how it works out.

Spottedlaurel · November 7, 2020

Really sorry to read this Barry, but at least everyone was OK. You've put time and effort into your RX, it didn't deserve that!

A few years ago I had my Camry hit up the back, similar story with minimal visible damage to mine but the Audi A4 looking rather sorry for itself with the crumple zones having done their job and the airbag going off (with subsequent damage to the windscreen). Camry was written-off due to its low market value, but I kept it and got it back on the road with spares I had and I still use it now.

There was no issue with the other person taking responsibility. I can't recall if my claim went through my own insurers or his but they certainly provided me with the loan car.

Since that time my wife and I both had a couple of lesser non-fault accidents.

The only issue I recall was that despite the accidents not being our fault my insurance premiums were loaded for several years afterwards. I didn't realise until it went down quite a bit one year and they said that was why. Seems a bit harsh, but insurance seems to be like that.......

BartLexusFan · November 7, 2020

Damn sorry to hear that. Glad everyone is ok. As daft as it's sounds I'm not surprised it was an Audi

stringbender · November 7, 2020

Really sorry to hear what happened but sounds like you're getting everything sorted. A rear facing dash cam would have been revealing as to what the driver was doing.

I did a bit of rear panel and bumper damage to my 05 RX a few years back. I thought it was all fixed fine but then started noticing a bit of wet in the rear foot well carpet, When I got all the trim etc. off that lines the boot it was soaking. I'm sure a Lexus approved repairer will do a proper job as opposed to my back street guy. Be worth a bit of investigation after a heavy downpour or a hose to make sure all is as it should be. Best of luck and hope you get her back soon.

olliesgrandad · November 7, 2020

Barry from bitter experience Do Not let the Insurance approved repairer near your car.

Choose the repairer you want to use. That way you can have some insight into the quality of what in your case is a major specialised repair.

I foolishly allowed my IS300h to be repaired by the insurers bodyshop and after initially losing my car they fouled up so badly the car was returned 3 times. The last time was because a reaction in the paintwork caused by bad repair required half the car to be stripped back and repainted. Also they refitted the bumper incorrectly. All within days of return to me. I had already traded the car when the paintwork fell off and Lexus Cheltenham returned the car to them for repair having found several other signs of poor repair. Good luck.

Ps since then my wife needed minor repair to her car and a local bodyshop sorted it out via our insurers. They did a proper job and supplied a courtesy car

As an aside that silver is a difficult colour to blend in and will require a lot of skillful painting to get it right. I am talking from experience with my last RX450h identical to yours. Regards Les

Barry14UK · November 8, 2020

This is the State of Art Snows centre at Southampton Lexus Exeter send their cars to for repair. They are approved by 18 manufacturers and receive very good reviews, so I expect a great job. I know it takes experience to be able to match up some colours more particularly than others especially when the cars are a few years old and have been always in the sun. There is bound to be some small variation. This may disadvantageously affect the selling price or desirability to another purchaser in due course. I wonder if this aspect can be considered as part of my claim?

Thank you Alan for mentioning about being careful that the boot is well sealed from ingress of water - that will be the second thing I do having carefully inspected the match and work done.

Link to Snows centre https://www.snows.co.uk/blog/snows-accident-repair-centre-advanced-body-shop-southampton/

Barry14UK · November 11, 2020

Good news, Snows estimate for repair to my car was promptly accepted by Tesco today. I got a brief run down of major parts plus labour and it comes to an eye watering £9,308!! This includes the majority of the exhaust including the oft stolen central cat. I asked if I could have the cat as it is apparently OK but was told that this becomes the property of the other parties insurers and it is required that a certificate is signed that this along with other parts has gone for scrap. What a crying shame this is when people are waiting for these! The price does not include replacing the rear hatch only repairing it.

The estimator thought the intermittent drill like noise was caused by the crunched up exhaust knocking against the packing but I said I thought it could be a pump serving the air suspension where there could be a fault caused by the crash. This will be checked out and could potentially add to the cost.

I also asked that the service Battery be trickle charged or that might otherwise need replacing.

Barry14UK · December 1, 2020

Hi

Just had my car returned and it seems OK except that the new lifting handle on the hatch does not meet the hatch at either end. In fact I can get a twenty piece coin between handle and hatch at one end and a little less at the other. If you refer to the previous pictures I posted you will see that the hatch was pressed in at each in the vicinity of the handle. Much of this indentation has been pulled out but the curvature is still not right to meet the handle. I can't believe it was like this prior to accident or that Lexus would sell a car like that. Flapping ends to a number plate yes but not here.

In the circumstances I should be grateful if somebody could just check theirs before I get back to Snows Accident Centre. I think they will have to collect and take back for rectification and I don't mean putting a dollop of filler and or glue in the gap. I did ring the estimator and ask that all gaps were correct and that everything was in order before they sent it and was told it had passed quality control. Not good enough in my opinion for a repair costing the best part of £10,000.

PS. There is no gasket fitted - don't know if there should be one.

Ian M · December 1, 2020

No gaps on my 3RX.

Offside....

Ian M · December 1, 2020

Nearside

Ian M · December 1, 2020

20p test..

Barry14UK · December 1, 2020

Thanks Ian, I appreciate your looking and posting pics.

I couldn't believe Lexus would sell a car with such a gap. Anyway, I contacted Snows Repair Centre at Southampton and demonstrated the gap by tapping in the middle of the chrome piece where it was in contact and at the end where there was an appreciable difference in sound. (It was rather too dark to face time).

I was originally told by someone that the dents in the tailgate would be pulled out so I assumed that they had not been pulled out sufficiently to match the slight curvature of the chrome fitment that incorporates the handle release. Well much to my surprise, I am now told that the tailgate was beyond saving and that they had in fact fitted a completely new tailgate (hatch if you like) which was some £680. So this should have matched perfectly with the new chrome fitment but as it didn't should have been noticed by their fitter or quality control person.

We agreed I would drive to Snows at Exeter and they will investigate. This is a one way distance of some 45 miles so I will expect a bit of petrol and a resolution.

This is disappointing but just a hitch at a time when the Pandemic is causing so much misery and loss.

Spacewagon52 · December 1, 2020

It is very disappointing all the same. You are very lucky if you recover all your costs after an accident. Hope you get it sorted to your satisfaction.

royoftherovers · December 1, 2020

22 minutes ago, Spacewagon52 said:

It is very disappointing all the same. You are very lucky if you recover all your costs after an accident. Hope you get it sorted to your satisfaction.

He`s not lucky Davey if he is with a good,solid,sound and honorable Insurance Company. He is extremely fortunate.

I have taken the opportunity to read through all of these postings and notwithstanding all that has been said I am of the view that Barry will have to disclose the fact that he has been involved in a Road Traffic Incident, at the time of his insurance renewal. He may already have done so "for information purposes." Certainly it is undeniable that he was not to blame in any way, shape or form and it is quite likely that once all of the facts are assimilated, he will not lose his "No claims Bonus". Nor should he ,in my view.

What he and his Broker may be unable to avoid is the effect that his involvement may have on his Insurance Premium(s) going forward i.e. prior to the application of his No Claims Bonus.

Therefore it is of paramount importance that any claim he submits following this incident with the Audi includes an appropriate sum for the possible increase in his Insurance Premiums for the 5 years going forward.

His Broker may be able to assist with the calculation.