Bonnet Catch Failure At Speed

[TonyHSD]

Sorry to hear that. It does look too bad but also it’s not a small damage either. What I know if correct usually cars with roof damage goes write off easily and then as cat B for parts only, not salvageable. But I might be wrong.  I had few used coming to me with poor roof repair most likely done privately without insurance been involved and they didn’t look well, one was cracked paint and tons of filler on the roof, that was bad. 
Hopefully yours it’s not that bad indeed and you can get it done quickly. 
I am interested to see what actually got broken to let the bonnet open? Is it the hook on the bonnet itself or the lock mechanism? 
In this matter now, what is the best lubricant for these hinges to keep them in good shape? 

[Roy124]

I saw what happened with an American car in the US almost 60 years ago and resolved only to but a front hinged car.  In 1969 I had a Triumph Herald.  From 1970 to 2002 I had SAAB 99s.

Can you get a front hinged bonnet any more? 

PS, last year in the filling station the cashier pointed out my Corolla bonnet was unlatched. 

[2009joe]

i notice with my 2014 toyota avensis the bonnet latch is pretty !Removed! design to as i9 notice when i releaced the bonnet from inside the car u could lift it up easy the latch that is attached to the bonnet has a weak spring and it sticks and stays open . i cleaned it with wd40 and well dont last long until it stiff again and when you open the bonnet it stays open. i wonder is there a after market one that can be put on which is stronger metal and way better quality hinge 

[Markh-75]

I never let my bonnet slam shut, I never have; I put it down and then put my palm flat above where the catch is and press down until I hear a 'ping', I repeat. I have never had a problem with an open bonnet; certainly not like this; my first car (Ford Escort 5 door 1.6LX) and should the bonnet be secured properly the horn would  sound in small 'peeps' to alert me. 

I'm still in shock. Any loud bang I hear makes me jump sky high!

The car is at the repairer, and will be seen there by insurance people. Its the roof that decides it I think. Once I get word what's to happen I'll go and empty the car of my belongings.

[TonyHSD]

I usually always slam shut the bonnet on any car from above 15-20cm and make sure there is a nice loud thud. Only exception is on Porsche, Tesla and Traban. I had lubricated mine some oil and grease, now shuts smooth and look well lubed. 

[Markh-75]

Got my quote in this afternoon, its a bit more than I paid for the car but I think its worth it. I got the car for a snip. It needs a new bonnet, hinges, lock, scuttle, wipers, new windscreen, 2 new wings and the roof needs to be repaired. All including paint.

Everything is fixable but for how much?

The wheels were refurbed last year and are still like new, last week I paid over £300 to replace the condenser and get the air-con working. I love this car, it takes the chore out of driving. Gets polished, and fully valeted each year, leather seats all treated.

The estimate is on its merry way to my insurer who will contact me to find out what I want to do. Probably tomorrow. I just need to think about what I want to do; we were supposed to go on holiday in June, down to Norfolk, that will have to be cancelled. This whole thing has been a nightmare, one you wake up from but find you're still living in it.

[APS]

8 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

I usually always slam shut the bonnet on any car from above 15-20cm and make sure there is a nice loud thud. Only exception is on Porsche, Tesla and Traban. I had lubricated mine some oil and grease, now shuts smooth and look well lubed.

Yup, always drop the bonnet from about 20cm. This is mainly to avoid denting the bonnet and ensuring proper latch. As a kid I'd get a right telling off if I pushed a bonnet shut 😇

Oil on bonnet hinges. Grease on latch mechanism.

[Derek.w]

When I check the oil I also check the bonnet catch and usually oil it then use spray grease now and then.

PS spray grease the door locks and door straps the hinges I just oil.

[Markh-75]

I got my quote, its above what I thought. However, once I know how much settlement is I have some money that I could repair it with, it negates my holiday for this year but it depends on what the insurer will give as a settlement figure. If the figure is too low thats that.

[Derek.w]

12 hours ago, Markh-75 said:

I got my quote, its above what I thought. However, once I know how much settlement is I have some money that I could repair it with, it negates my holiday for this year but it depends on what the insurer will give as a settlement figure. If the figure is too low thats that.

Lets hope you not to far out of pocket!!.

[Markh-75]

This whole business is driving me mad. I am rather torn in three directions, add to which I have NEVER made a claim on my car insurance in my life so I dont understand what happens, all I know is that the estimate is 1.5 X more than I paid for the car. Apart from the front end there is NOTHING wrong with the car, its mint. The engine has only done 77000 for a 10 plate and still performs like a much newer car. I put brand new alloys on it last year, and replaced the condenser for the Air-con earlier this month.

The estimate went in last week and I have not heard yet what's to happen; one person says do it, get it repaired! another says say goodbye and move on, yet another says that IF I get it repaired I need to cancel my holiday this year! I want all three! but I know I can't have all three. Nobody in the house is talking to each other; all over a car - that tried to destroy itself with its own bonnet lid!

Until my insurer yells me what the estimate means, I can do nothing.

[TonyHSD]

20 minutes ago, Markh-75 said:

This whole business is driving me mad. I am rather torn in three directions, add to which I have NEVER made a claim on my car insurance in my life so I dont understand what happens, all I know is that the estimate is 1.5 X more than I paid for the car. Apart from the front end there is NOTHING wrong with the car, its mint. The engine has only done 77000 for a 10 plate and still performs like a much newer car. I put brand new alloys on it last year, and replaced the condenser for the Air-con earlier this month.

The estimate went in last week and I have not heard yet what's to happen; one person says do it, get it repaired! another says say goodbye and move on, yet another says that IF I get it repaired I need to cancel my holiday this year! I want all three! but I know I can't have all three. Nobody in the house is talking to each other; all over a car - that tried to destroy itself with its own bonnet lid!

Until my insurer yells me what the estimate means, I can do nothing.

Let’s see if we can make the unfortunate events turn fortunate for yourself. Accidents happens and that’s why we pay insurance. Let them fix the car and you only pay your excess, if they decide that the car it’s beyond repair write off see how much money they will pay you for the car , cars has highest value today. If the money are good take the offer and ask to buy back the car from them. Use part of the money to fix the car privately and the rest for your holiday. You will keep your favourite car although will be registered as cat S or N accident repaired and it will have lower future value but you will still enjoy your car and even have some extra cash. I had done this twice , sometimes works in your favour, sometimes it doesn’t. You need to check with the insurance, see what they will say first. 
Good luck 

[Markh-75]

Thanks for your reply, I’m feeling pretty low just now, maybe it’s delayed shock, but it clouds my view of things. I’m not familiar with this insurance stuff as in all my years of driving this is the first claim I have made, its quite daunting.

cheers, Mark.

[Derek.w]

6 hours ago, Markh-75 said:

Thanks for your reply, I’m feeling pretty low just now, maybe it’s delayed shock, but it clouds my view of things. I’m not familiar with this insurance stuff as in all my years of driving this is the first claim I have made, its quite daunting.

cheers, Mark.

While you haiting have a look and see if you can find one in a scraptard or on the internet if you in luck it save you a packet even if you have to pay for it tobe repainted.

[2009joe]

is it possible to take off the bonet latch one and strip it and put in a heavier duty spring in it as my one is kina junk also as when i reach under the bonnet and open it the latch kina dont click back 

[Markh-75]

Got word this afternoon; its a write off. Thats me out of motoring then.  They wont let me buy it.

[2009joe]

1 hour ago, Markh-75 said:

Got word this afternoon; its a write off. Thats me out of motoring then.  They wont let me buy it.

are you going to buy another toyota bud a t27 or are you going to try something else 

[Cyker]

I'm amazed they're writing it off as to me it looks like it just needs a new windscreen and bonnet!

I suppose if the roof is damaged they might count it as structural, which would explain why they won't let you buy it back either, but I'm very surprised as it doesn't look that bad!

Welp, the thing you need to do now is find as many examples as you can of similar cars on e.g. Autotrader, Exchange and Mart etc., the closer the spec and mileage the better, that are selling for more than yours, and show them those prices as evidence they should pay you more (Obviously don't show them any lower-valued ones you find  )

With current used-car prices you might be able to get another grand or two out of this!

[TonyHSD]

The roof is the problem. It turns that they still write off cars with minimal roof damage and classified those as cat B, not possible to return to the road as salvage car. Will be sold to someone who has a breaker license for parts. In this case the op should push them for best possible price. 
Good luck 

[Markh-75]

3 hours ago, Cyker said:

I'm amazed they're writing it off as to me it looks like it just needs a new windscreen and bonnet!

I suppose if the roof is damaged they might count it as structural, which would explain why they won't let you buy it back either, but I'm very surprised as it doesn't look that bad!

Welp, the thing you need to do now is find as many examples as you can of similar cars on e.g. Autotrader, Exchange and Mart etc., the closer the spec and mileage the better, that are selling for more than yours, and show them those prices as evidence they should pay you more (Obviously don't show them any lower-valued ones you find  )

With current used-car prices you might be able to get another grand or two out of this!

Needs two new wings, a new scuttle, a new windscreen, new bonnet, new wipers but the roof is the decider for them.

[Markh-75]

3 hours ago, 2009joe said:

are you going to buy another toyota bud a t27 or are you going to try something else 

Nah, don’t want another car now, it’s put me right off. I’d only worry that it might happen again. I still have flashbacks when I hear anything go bang. My 4 year license is up next year, I doubt I’ll even reapply.

[Markh-75]

2 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

The roof is the problem. It turns that they still write off cars with minimal roof damage and classified those as cat B, not possible to return to the road as salvage car. Will be sold to someone who has a breaker license for parts. In this case the op should push them for best possible price. 
Good luck 

I did alright out of it financially, for my settlement I ended up getting much more money than I paid when I bought the car. That’s good but I still think it was repairable, although I wasn’t given any option about buying it back, and my insurer said that they wouldn’t be able to insure it as a repaired write off anyway.

[Markh-75]

We booked our car hire this morning; hiring a medium flavour car (Focus, Kia C'eed or a Toyota CHR), two drivers and the insurance we need, my wife got us discount as she's a frontline worker under NHS. I hope we get a CHR because my wife has wanted a go of one for a while now! We'll keep my wife little Corolla 1.3 to run about in between us.

[2009joe]

20 hours ago, Markh-75 said:

Nah, don’t want another car now, it’s put me right off. I’d only worry that it might happen again. I still have flashbacks when I hear anything go bang. My 4 year license is up next year, I doubt I’ll even reapply.

i was half thinking get rid of mine and getting one of those 2014 2015 toyota rav 4  they look cool 

[Markh-75]

If we're going anywhere near enough we'll use my wife's car; other than that we can always hire a car; either way I can take it easy and be driven around now. Since I dont have a car now, my wife can use the garage for hers at night!