Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[gogojuice]

I've had (and loved) my Delica for years.   Currently it's at the garage with the engine out as I decided to spend some money on it and get it fixed up.

Unfortunately while it was innocently sitting in the garage yard a DHL lorry reversed into it and smashed up the front end.  See pictures.

Broken Delica

I believe the insurance company is going to write off the van.  

Not really sure what to do with the van now?!?

Does anyone have any parts?  I can't find anyone with any Delica parts in the UK anymore.

Might have to have it scrapped.  Sad times. :-(

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Google]

[PinkPig]

Hi,

That is a nightmare. Worth finding some recent sales adverts (ebay, facebook marketpkace etc) to ensure you get full value from the insurance and see if you can buy back the vehicle.

There's a guy called Nev Monty who you can find on Facebook and in various facebook Delica groups who has broken a few L300s recently and has boxes of parts and various panels. He's based in Marlborough area. I can vouch for him, had various parts off him and been to his lock up - his parts are keeping my van on the road!

If you have no luck finding him, PM me on here and I'll put you in touch.
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[Lewis]

Bit of a technical legal nightmare here.

I had a similar thing happen when I took a car into a second hand car dealer/garage, which I had bought it from, after it showed up a fault. The garage couldn't sort it so arranged for another garage to do it. The second garage towed it with chains strung around the front axle, which left two upside down 'U' shaped gouges in the front panel.  I said I wanted it fully repairing or my money back. The garage denied responsibility and told me to contact the garage that did the damage. The second garage said it wasn't their problem as I hadn't taken it to them to be seen to.  I found out the two two garage owners were related.  Luckily I knew the law. My contract was with the first garage, so I sued them in the small claims court and won. It was up to the first garage to then sue the second garage, who they contracted to do the work, to get the money back from them.  The court ordered the first garage to fully refund me and take the car back. Back then it was a case of the court paid me the money and the garage had to pay into the court, which ensured I got money and the garage paid or was done for contempt of court by not paying.

In your case you also have to claim off the garage and they then have to claim off DHL.  There was no need to involve your Insurance company, which may now put your premiums up. Even if the accident is not your fault and nothing is paid by you or your insurance company it will still be listed on the national insurance database as you have made an insurance claim.

The nightmare is that the garage yard, being private property, is not classed as a public road.  The garage is responsible for looking after your vehicle whilst it is on their property. If they have a sign up saying they are not responsible, etc, etc, then that is illegal, and unenforceable.

Theoretically DHL would pay out as it will be cheaper for them than a court case.  It may be worth your while either getting the garage to buy the Deli from you, at a mutually acceptable value, or have them replace it, paid for by a claim from them on DHL.
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