Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:12 am Post subject: I have a 2005 Echo
I have a 2005 Echo that is a lease. I was in a collision & was told by the collision center that if they use recycled parts the car can be fixed & if they use new parts the car is a total loss. My adjuster is pushing to fix the car, but I would rather have it deemed a total loss to avoid headaches at lease maturity (the insurance company seems to think nothing can go wrong) since I will not be buying the car out at the end of the lease _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Bottom line, it's the insurance companies call. You can ask for OEM parts so that it is totaled but if it's not close I doubt they are going to let you choose.
I get this alot from people, they 'want' the vehicle to total, if it's very close, then ok I go along..however you're not very close...or are you? The insurance company will fix it all day long if that is the more economical way to go, and if the only difference is parts prices then I don't see the issue... _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
the issue is that Toyota doesn't want recyled parts & I have been advised by seveeral of their reps (in the Finance & Service standards departments)to fight the repairs, but the insurance says the parts are from a recycled toyota so they are ok. According to Toyota recycled parts can have safety, warranty & value issues. As far as being close recycled parts are 65% of the value & new is 90%
Well, the repair cost of the car is close to 80% of its ACV, then you may request the adjuster to deem it 'totaled', otherwise the adjuster will only pay for its repair.
Regarding the salvage parts, it'll depend upon the terms and condition of teh policy document. If the policy paper states that it'll only support LKQ parts then you may have to agree to it only.
However, you can let the adjuster know that the Toyota model may not support other than OME parts and you wish it to get fixed by it only.
If you can PROVE (and I doubt it but I'm wrong daily I say this because when looked at closely I've never seen one...that did this--void a warranty) that it will affect the warranty or the turn in, then they will have to write it without used....these helpful folks at toyota shouldn't have any problem at all producing documents that say this...ask them to fax them to you asap...and tell the adjuster not to start repairs till you get them.. _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
According to Toyota recycled parts can have safety, warranty & value issues.
Any "can" have an issue but the truth is, LKQ parts _are_ the _same_ as what you had on your vehicle! Kind of funny, huh.
What Toyota _DOES_ say is that they can't be sure of the quality (of their own part) but this is just their ploy to sell new parts. The shop inspects the used part and if there is anything wrong with it, they should not use it. It's been proven that the LKQ parts insurance companies use are _not_ safety related.
LKQ parts _are_ OEM, they are used _all the time_ and there is no indication that they they are not as good as new OEM.
Quote:
in the Finance & Service standards departments
I've heard of the finance department... these guys are experts on parts? Why the service dept and not the body shop? True is the dealership simply wants to sell new OEM parts because they many a lot more money this way. What the insurance company is doing is replacing your 2005 OEM parts with... 2005 OEM parts in the same condition if not better.
The finance & service standards are with the corporate office & corporate legal is now also saying recycled parts are unsafe.
the recycled axle beam involves dismantling & reassembling both the salvaged assembly & the assembly from the leased car to create 1 recycled assembly, but I am seeing that while toyota wants me to fight it they don't seem to back me up completely
The insurance company is using an LKQ axle? Not many that I know would do this but I'm sure a few would. Here is the question... can these "corporate" people provide you documentation from Toyota showing that Toyota does not recommend this type of work? They need to put up or shut up. Finance people can say anything that want... but unless they want to back it up...
Is the axel making up 35% of the repair cost or are their other LKQ parts being used?
there is 1 other LKQ part (the Quarter Panel)
However, I was told by the collision center estimator that the salvaged axle beam is $325 & a new one is $1000
the recycled axle beam involves dismantling & reassembling both the salvaged assembly & the assembly from the leased car to create 1 recycled assembly, but I am seeing that while toyota wants me to fight it they don't seem to back me up completely
See that's what I thought...they won't provide this in writing for you...ask your appraiser if they are warrantying that axle in writing! Also ask how many miles on the used axle... ask toyota if your rear axle beem (is it a dead axle on this car? I think it is...if so, really not a big deal I'll use a dead one to save car....they should be tested of course )....is still under warranty! better yet call your local toyota dealerships service dept...give them your VIN and ask if that exact part is still under warranty...don't tell them about the wreck...just ask that.....it Toyota 'legal' (as they are telling you)...is part of this..then they should be JUMPING at the chance to help you for Pete's sake! I'll check on the type of axle for your car. _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
Just what I thought it's a dead axle...what are they going to disassemble and re-assemble again? it's a big hunk of metal..it's an axle beam! I personally wouldn't be the slightest bit afraid of it...ask the genius's at toyota exact what parts are they afraid of taking apart and putting back together? The struts? I'm sorry Ke they are jerking you around here...... _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
Let me say that the company I work for will not use ANY used suspension items at all EXCEPT a dead axle...why? because not much can go wrong...it's bent or it's not! this is a very very easy operation to preform...oh I am so irritated with toyota for spouting this stuff at you without back up..if it were true, and they would help you prove it which should'nt take what 30 seconds to email the documents? I'd be right there helping you fight the ins carrier...but it's not..that's the issue! _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
thanks for the info. I called Toyota & they started to back out. When I would repeat what they had told me they would twist it (I think they were told to keep their mouths shut - one woman told me she is no longer allowed to discuss this with me) so I told them they can deal with the car in 2 years because I WILL NOT be buying the car out with the recycled parts on it & they can sell it with salvaged parts
See we told you they were just plain blowing smoke....it's a dang shame and reallllllllllly ticks me off.... as I'm sure it does you as well...just tell they shop (and they will anyway) to througly inspect the parts when they get them....if they aren't of equal quality reject them save them and call the adjuster to come and inspect them as well...please let us know if we can assist you with anything else... _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
I say this because when looked at closely I've never seen one...that did this--void a warranty) that it will affect the warranty or the turn in, then they will have to write it without used....these helpful folks at toyota shouldn't have any problem at all producing documents that say this...ask them to fax them to you asap...and tell the adjuster not to start repairs till you get them..
