Is This Accident Damage Repairable Safely?

[philwesty21]

my C3 has storm damage to the C pillar and roof side rail.. At the c pillar the outer skin has been pushed inward like a big fist has punched it! on the roof the outer skin is pushed flat from its normal curve. Should the whole side member be replaced or just pull out the dents? My wife and kids travel in this so it has to be safe
thanks
phil

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

By storm damage I guess you mean a tree or something fell on the car. I would have thought the repair would be covered by your car insurance unless you are not claiming. I would imagine a bodyshop would pull out those dents or at worst cut out the damage and weld in a new bit. To replace the complete side panel is not really necessary and would make the job far more expensive. To check you really need to visit a bodyshop. If the car still has a Citroen warranty then you may need to use a Citroen dealer unless you use your car insurer preferred repairer.

 

As a guide to cost, we had a 1 inch deep by 12 inch long sill dent pulled out where the car had clipped a kerb and the dealer charged £439 - we may have got it cheaper elsewhere but the car was less than a year old and we needed to maintain the warranty.

[philwesty21]

thanks - bodyshop quoted 3700 for the work and some scuffs on the doors. worried that the c pillar/roof wont be strong enough if they just pull the dents out.. appreciate the advice

Phil

[paul.h]

What year is the car, is the bodyshop quote close to the car value if in good condition ? If so you could negotiate with the insurer and have it written off.

[philwesty21]

Hi there - thanks . Its a 2011 car so probably not a write off at that repair price.

thanks for your help

Phil