Oops!

[Ollie87]

Was driving to my friend's last night after work to play some Forza on the ole Xbox 360. As I approached a junction I was behind a VW Polo, she set off then braked hard and I couldn't stop. This is the result of this very low speed collision:

http://upload.drarok.com/uploads/183...1385166581.jpg

The car folded like a fag packet. It's bent a chassis leg too. I reckon maybe a write-off. And there was only light bumper damage to the Polo.

I dunno if I want another 147 after that, it's scary how much it folded at about 15mph.

[bazza]

It's designed to fold up. In a high speed crash, that is what would save you. From a safety point of view, that's a good thing, not a bad thing.
Obviously from a repair bill after small prang point of view, it's a bad thing.

[Ollie87]

Any way. Car is in the hands of the insurance company now. I will now be taking bets on if it's a write-off or not.

Jeez - fingers crossed - may be worth a 'buy back' if they write it off

[Ollie87]

Not sure I want her back. If it's a write off I might cut my losses and try and find a 2.0 TS.

[Mark Alfa]

Sorry to hear this Ollie It was a nice 147 too!

[Nige005]

Looks nasty Ollie, wouldn't be at all surprised if it was written off. On the up side no one was hurt and that's the most important thing.

A GTV for you next perhaps then ?

OWCH!!! Nasty.

Glad the flesh and bones is alright though.

[tess]

aw your poor .....

[Ollie87]

Right so I've just heard from the garage that it'll cost £3500 to repair it. I paid £2900 like 3 months ago, excess is £750. And Parkers reckons it's worth sod all.

[Nige005]

Originally Posted by Ollie87

Right so I've just heard from the garage that it'll cost £3500 to repair it. I paid £2900 like 3 months ago, excess is £750. And Parkers reckons it's worth sod all.

Can't see the Insurance going for that then Ollie. I suppose the big question is what they will offer you as a payout.

[Dr GTA]

I can guarantee this is a right off unfortunately.

[braddersR]

DAmn that looks bad.... and i guess the write off is the only option

[Ollie87]

Looking at prices for Fiat Stilo Abarths atm. ¬__¬

[Nige005]

Originally Posted by Ollie87

Looking at prices for Fiat Stilo Abarths atm. ¬__¬

Interesting, hope you get enough cash to consider other cars as well, some bargains around right now if you have the cash and the time to look around.

[Ollie87]

Well I was looking at another 147, but genuinely after how low speed the crash was and how much damage was caused it's put me off. I've looked at GTVs too, it's tempting and all. But I prefer to have a hot or warm hatch than a Sports Car.

Plus the insurance on a GTV is an ****-raping for me. Especially now.

If I could find a decent Clio 172 I'd have that.

[Nige005]

Originally Posted by Ollie87

Well I was looking at another 147, but genuinely after how low speed the crash was and how much damage was caused it's put me off. I've looked at GTVs too, it's tempting and all. But I prefer to have a hot or warm hatch than a Sports Car.

Plus the insurance on a GTV is an ****-raping for me. Especially now.

If I could find a decent Clio 172 I'd have that.

Keep your options open Ollie. Yeah, the insurance costs could well be an issue for you, hadn't considered that.

Happy hunting anyway and if you need any help give us all a shout in here, a lot of experience about.

[kevjtd]

don't be so hard on your alfa mate. i know it might seem it's let you down with crumpling so easy, but look at it the other way round, it has saved you from whiplash injuries

Car Crash Low Speed Accidents - Car Accident Helpline can help if you have suffered an injury from a low speed car accident in the last three years

ALL cars are designed to crumple nowadays, the rear of the other car didn't because it was the rear, they are designed differently. although i will say it has done a fair amount to your car.
but as with 99% of cars now there isn't anything meanigfull behind the bumper so damage will always be easy to achieve.

just think which would you prefer, a claim for your car to deal with, or be laid up in hospital with whiplash, or worse and still have the claim to deal with

hope it works out for you ok

and if you are looking for a good safe car the mito scores well in the euro ncap ratings

[Visorfett]

Originally Posted by bazza

It's designed to fold up. In a high speed crash, that is what would save you. From a safety point of view, that's a good thing, not a bad thing.
Obviously from a repair bill after small prang point of view, it's a bad thing.

what he said.. is the truth

[DanDan]

Agreed. This happened to me in my old Bravo. Slid into a car on ice and no more than 5mph, both wings and the bonnet had completely crumpled up, and the other car suffered just a scuff on the rear bumper.

Originally Posted by Ollie87

Was driving to my friend's last night after work to play some Forza on the ole Xbox 360. As I approached a junction I was behind a VW Polo, she set off then braked hard and I couldn't stop. This is the result of this very low speed collision:

http://upload.drarok.com/uploads/183...1385166581.jpg


The car folded like a fag packet. It's bent a chassis leg too. I reckon maybe a write-off. And there was only light bumper damage to the Polo.

I dunno if I want another 147 after that, it's scary how much it folded at about 15mph.

The same would happen in any other modern car. The crumpling is a safety feature to absorb the impact as others have pointed out. Check out a Volvo that's had a minor dingle. Cars of the past might not have crumpled as much but you'd end up with an engine in your lap. However it still looks to me that it may have been more than 15mph. Did the airbags go off. Best of luck.

[Ollie87]

Originally Posted by DanDan

Agreed. This happened to me in my old Bravo. Slid into a car on ice and no more than 5mph, both wings and the bonnet had completely crumpled up, and the other car suffered just a scuff on the rear bumper.

Thing is I had a crash about 5-6 months ago where someone pulled out on me at a round-about, was higher speed and into a Fiat Panda at the side near the wheel. Hardly any damage to either cars. My Clio sorta just bounced off it. That's why I said if I could find a decent 172. Hmmph.

Look at this, 147 NCAP:

YouTube - Euro NCAP | Alfa Romeo 147 | 2001 | Crash test

vs.

Clio (older model, mine was a facelift) NCAP:

YouTube - Euro NCAP | Renault Clio | 2000 | Crash test

Originally Posted by PT14

The same would happen in any other modern car. The crumpling is a safety feature to absorb the impact as others have pointed out. Check out a Volvo that's had a minor dingle. Cars of the past might not have crumpled as much but you'd end up with an engine in your lap. However it still looks to me that it may have been more than 15mph. Did the airbags go off. Best of luck.

Yeah I know about crumpling, and I can promise you it was UNDER 15mph. The car got pushed underneath the Polo because of the shape and no airbags went off.

[Ollie87]

Well it's been written off. A shame really, she was a pretty little car.

[Nige005]

Originally Posted by Ollie87

Well it's been written off. A shame really, she was a pretty little car.

As expected Ollie. Have you heard what the payout is likely to be yet ??

As others have said don't discount another Alfa because of this. I'm no expert but it seems that the car did exactly what it was supposed to do in this sort of situation, except for the airbags that is.

Did you have the airbag warning light " ON " before all this happened ?

[Ollie87]

Nope. No errors. Just going too slow for the airbags. I was only crawling forwards this is what I've been trying to say to loads of people when they see the damage. And it's why I can't believe how much it's folded by. I am literally shocked. I put a Clio front end first into a motorway barrier at 50mph and there was this damage:

Imageshack - popppoo792lp9.jpg

Compare them side by side and you can see why I just feel so shocked.