Rear end shunt - bumper crash damage

[eltawater]

So after nearly five years of owning my pride and joy, yesterday evening saw me experience my first accident

I had stopped stationary at a T junction indicating to turn right into my road, with a Clio and a Focus stopped behind me. This section of road follows out of a small village, going from 30mph, to 40mph and then NSL before the T junction.

Whilst we waited for a gap in the traffic for me turn right, I felt one jolt and my rear screen was suddenly full of Clio.

Getting out of the car, I checked on all the drivers first involved to ensure that everyone was ok and out of their vehicles before calling the police as this is a busy main road in rush hour.

From what I understand, a VW Passat estate had travelled out of the village behind us and hit the back of our queue.

The police arrived really quickly and were a great help in getting the situation sorted.

My insurers are arranging for my car to be collected next week and taken to an approved garage to assess the damage to my 58 FR TDI.

My boot lid shuts and locks, but the car tells me that the boot is open according to the MFD display, and my reversing light no longer works which means I'm uncomfortable driving the car in the interim.

I haven't the foggiest clue as to what lies behind the rear bumper of my Leon, so I'd be really appreciative if those more expert in these matters would please advise on how much structural damage there is likely to be behind the bumper.

I'm praying that there's not been enough damage to warrant an insurance write-off so any advice is gratefully received

 

[Nath.]

I can't see that needing much more than a new bumper, a few plastic brackets, adjust the boot catch then paint.

No way a total loss.

 

[Brinkz]

I've never had the bumper off, but i'm thinking there is plenty of space between that and the chassis. From the pics it looks like bent plastic and will be a case of a new bumper - although, if' you'd been the first car the VW hit then it would be a different story...

 

[Watto_uk]

If the boot lid is not shut on the second catch, it will say the boot is still open. So it's highly likely the rear panel has gone it a bit.

 

[eltawater]

Thanks all for the feedback so far, it's all very reassuring and appreciated

Watto_UK, I've noticed that when the boot is shut, the boot lid touches the bent bumper at the area highlighted. I'm wondering whether the malformed rising bumper is now preventing the boot lid from engaging the second catch? It might be a daft idea but I'm wondering whether the lack of a second catch engagement is also preventing the reversing light from illuminating?

For what it's worse, this is what happened to the Focus who took the impact from the VW

And this is how the clio fared against the Focus. The poor lad's boot didn't shut at all as the catch had been pushed too far forward.

 

[dieselface]

Sorry to hear about your shunt.

Check your rear C-posts for a crease/dent - usually running up the the top of the boot lid. Easy to miss apparently! You may also need some of the rear floor panel around the space saver pressing flat. One thing I usually hear is boot lids not closing as easily as they did before the shunt so be thorough when it comes back to you.

 

[Nath.]

It might be a daft idea but I'm wondering whether the lack of a second catch engagement is also preventing the reversing light from illuminating?

None of the lights fitted to the tailgate will work if the tailgate is open. Reverse light, rear fog light, and 2 small tail lights.

Maybe the heated rear screen too..............

 

[Watto_uk]

You may be able to adjust the striker up a bit to compensate as a temporary fix. I can't remember if it's tx30 or tx40 bolts, though. Just slacken thim a little bit, pull the striker up and re-tighten them.

 

[dave.richmond]

There is no way that is a write off. I was rear ended at the end of January and was pushed into the car in front and mine wasn't a write off and my car is 2 years old than yours.

My car needed new rear and front bumpers, new nearside headlight, new grille, new radiator, new exhaust (rear section only) and a lot of small bits.

Here's what mine looked like once i got it home.

 

[bigbadjay]

This thread makes me cry!

 

[eltawater]

Just to close this one off.

Got the car back yesterday. New bumper, rear end straightened out, all lights working and lovely and clean. It feels so good to be back in the Leon after the wafty, floaty insignia.

Just having to get used to the very direct steering and brakes again

 

[andypower]

how does the whole accident thing work out.

if you had been in the middle of the pact, got hit by the passat then got pushed into the car in front. Are you liable for the front impact?


just wondered

 

[marks_leon]

how does the whole accident thing work out.

if you had been in the middle of the pact, got hit by the passat then got pushed into the car in front. Are you liable for the front impact?


just wondered

I would have thought so yh, the car behind is a too close to the car in front maybe. Thats what I always thought it would be anyway.

 

[eltawater]

Given the possible impact speed of the passat (in an NSL), I'm not sure that even a normal, sensible distance between the cars would have been enough to avoid the concertina effect.

I expect the insurance companies of the three cars rear ended to be contacting the insurance company of the passat as the three cars were stationary.

 

[marty_34]

I would have thought so yh, the car behind is a too close to the car in front maybe. Thats what I always thought it would be anyway.

No your not the car at the back gets the blame for both long as front car confirms they had 1 impact only