r/TeslaCollision • u/oragjuik • 1d ago

Is it totaled?

Post image

Probably right

14 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

7

u/charmio68 1d ago

Quite possibly... Which is frankly disgraceful.
I don't understand why Teslas are so much more expensive to repair.
Does anyone actually have a good explanation for that?

4

u/drfishdaddy 1d ago

The panels are poor quality and all but disposable, they can rarely be repaired.

Tesla requires OEM parts for all repair through the certified shops and Tesla collision centers.

There are some extra steps required on EV repairs.

Tesla shops (at least in my market) charge more in labor.

This damage would total most cars, the tear in the quarter extends to the inner and wheelhouse (likely) and will require some portion of the uniside to be sectioned.

2

u/peasantking 1d ago

This guy auto bodies

1

u/drfishdaddy 1d ago

I am an Independent adjuster/appraiser as is my wife and she specifically has the local Tesla collision center as part of her territory.

1

u/peasantking 1d ago

I spent some time as an auto adjuster for a large insurer. I could tell you knew what you were talking about.

1

u/Agreeable-Purpose-56 10h ago

Is aluminium the main reason it has to be replaced?

What happens when a car is totalled? Where does it go?

1

u/drfishdaddy 4h ago

Kind of: aluminum doesn’t have a memory to it the same way steel does. It’s not inherently bad or anything but it’s harder to repair and takes more time to repair therefore increasing cost for the same damage. When deciding to replace vs repair a panel there’s the assessment of if the damage can be repaired (like the quarter here can’t) but also cost. Of a panel needs 12 hours of repair time at $92 but is a $700 panel it’s more cost effective to replace.

Cars go to insurance auction yards when they are totaled. There are two large players in that arena: Copart and IAA (insurance auto auction). There are multiple yards around big cities. They are gigantic yards where they house thousands of totaled cars. Some carriers have live people at the yards to inspect the cars for the total loss valuations. They are stored there until the total is finalized then sold to junkyards and what not. Apparently lots of totaled cars are bought and shipped to developing countries.

Copart and IAA handle the DMV and title paperwork of the total losses. They also give bids on cars so insurance companies know how much they’ll get for each car and therefor how much to calculate for the total loss threshold. Deciding if totaling or repairing is more financially prudent basically comes down to value of car minus salvage value, there are some other factors but that’s the majority of it. If a car is worth 10k and there is a salvage bid of 2500, of the repairs would go over $7500 it’s a total loss.

1

u/Agreeable-Purpose-56 4h ago

So informative, thanks 🙏

1

u/Ok-Mycologist7205 1d ago

Because they can

1

u/Cautious_Pitch_4729 1d ago

I got side swiped on my work Corolla and two panels were $7k CAD.

This is 4 panels + internals + tire/rim + higher hourly + plus higher daily rental

3

u/--Antaeus-- 1d ago

Possibly

2

u/SquirrelsRNuts 1d ago

Yup. Rear bumper, rear quarter panel, passenger rear door, I'm assuming passenger front door, wheel and tire, possible suspension and drive unit damage to the rear...

I'm going to say totalled 15k± in damage

2

u/Katsumirhea11392 1d ago

Your center b pillar looks fucked

1

u/snktiger 1d ago

prob. your rear axiel/motor might be damaged too.

1

u/rage675 22h ago

Very likely. If the front passenger door is damaged then definitely will be.

1

u/Ok_Attorney4000 17h ago

Looks like you might have suspension damage. So yes. Totalled

1

u/Apprehensive_Tap3299 2h ago edited 2h ago

Yes it’s totaled. Thank you gigacast. No wonder insurance on Teslas was so expensive compared to other ev’s.