Hi all, unfortunately I had an accident in early december and basically I was doing 35mph in a 50 and hit black ice and lost control of the car and went into the side of a water tanker in the left hand lane. The car is currently getting repaired via Nationwide Auto repairs in Gateshead and I’m expected to have the car back on the 28th. The car was perfectly drivable until they collected it but not long before the accident I had the tracking done because it was way out when I got the car from the Mazda dealer and it made a big improvement.
This is my first claim and I’m wondering if I should be phoning the repair shop and making sure they check the tracking/balance etc? It felt alright after the crash but I’m just wondering if the impact may have knocked the tracking etc off? Not sure what I should be getting them to check so any advice would be greatly appreciated! I have enclosed a pic of the damage. As you can imagine I don’t have 100% faith in garages and don’t want to be driving a car that’s not set up correctly. It’s due for an MOT/Service as soon as it’s out of the repair shop and I don’t want to have to pay to get anything adjusted via my own garage if it can be done via insurance.
Also would people recommend some tyres other than the Yokohama A11A’s I’m currently running in the snow/ice? I’m pretty much terrified taking it out in this weather now, so if I can get a winter set could someone recommend me something as I believe the A11A’s are not designed for the snow? Thanks
It does look like the wheel has taken a hit so I’d want a 4 wheel alignment and the wheel and tyre checking for roadworthiness. If you have the option don’t sign off the repair until you’ve taken it for a good run - and take delivery first thin in the morning, full daylight, so you can check the paint finish/match, door shut alignment, etc. I’d also be looking at the shut lines around the boot, the panel lines with the bumper to body, etc.
Take your time and don’t be pushed into doing anything too soon. It’s your car, take delivery at your pace.
Thanks, yeah the wheel was scuffed on that side. The car looks like it will be driven back to my place as they drove it off when they dropped off a replacement car, can I refuse to pay until I’ve inspected the car? Thanks.
Might be worth asking them to ensure they bring a copy of the alignment printout with them when they call you to tell you they will be dropping it off, otherwise you won’t be accepting the car back. At least then they know that your expecting them to have done it.
Update: Phoned garage and asked them to check tracking and geometry, they phoned back saying it was being done anyway. Can never be sure with garages so I will still get it checked out when I get it back.
