Car Accident: Questions & Answers

Okay, it's happened to me again. Last night, on my way home, while I was stopped at a traffic light, some homeless person ran in front of my car.

The Golf 3 looked quite aggressive from the front. On my car, the rear bumper is scratched. Otherwise, I haven't been able to detect any other damage. The cover for the spare tire compartment is easy to remove, and I don't see any dents, which makes me optimistic that there's nothing serious. From an insurance perspective, it looks good. The other insurance company is very nice and accommodating. They don't want any expert opinions or similar assessments for claims up to €2500.

Okay, here's what happened: I visited three Volkswagen dealerships earlier. To my surprise, they were all very unhelpful. None of them even bothered to lift the car up to inspect it from underneath. They all insisted that they need an expert appraiser, regardless of whether there's just a scratch on the bumper or not. I think that's unnecessary. But now for the real kicker: I have a detachable tow hitch on the car. Of course, I tried yesterday to see if the hitch head could be attached and detached. It worked perfectly and there was no play. All three workshops want to replace the entire coupling, regardless of whether it's in good condition or not. My question is: are there any regulations that require this, or is it just a way to make money?

The reason for my questions is as follows: Assuming that there are no bent or damaged brackets, supports, etc., I would take the money from the insurance and have the bumper repainted myself. However, I'm a bit concerned about the trailer hitch, because I often travel with a caravan and therefore rely on that hook. Of course, it won't cost me anything, not even the visit to the workshop. But I'm very reluctant to take my car to what are called 'specialized workshops.'

Hello!

Regarding the tow hitch: So, I have a VW Golf with a tow hitch that came from a "salvage vehicle." Here's how it happened: I have a neighbor who is very old, but she still drives. One day, while reversing out of her parking space, she bumped into my beautiful garden wall. It wasn't a big deal. The wall was fine, but her car had a noticeable dent in its plastic bumper. She decided that driving wasn't for her anymore, and since I get along well with her, and because she wanted it that way, I took the Golf to VW. They installed a new bumper and tow hitch under her comprehensive insurance policy. On the frame for the tow hitch, that is, the bracket itself, there's a thin piece of metal that's been wavy-welded on, probably as a kind of crumple zone. They wanted to throw that part away. But I said, "Don't throw that away." Since the new one also got a new ball head (removable), I got the tow hitch for free. Now, I have a small dent in that thin metal, but the bracket fit perfectly on the car, and all the dimensions were still correct.
The meaning of the story... if you let them do whatever they want, they would probably change it even if someone just bumped into your bumper. However, the test of whether the trailer hitch locks in place is probably not the deciding factor, as the holder might have shifted. Take the bumper off and take a closer look; I'm quite sure that the described thin metal part is bent. It doesn't affect the function for me. I've only used the trailer hitch once since it was installed, and it worked perfectly!

joergs wrote:

.... all three workshops want to completely replace the clutch, regardless of whether it is in good condition or not. my question: are there any regulations that require this, or is it just a way to make money?

Hello Jörg,

First, a disclaimer.
The AHK (trailer hitch) is a safety component, and in the event of damage involving these parts, this part must be replaced even without visible damage. An expert may determine something different, but they must then bear the responsibility if damage occurs later due to a hidden defect. The workshop will not accept such responsibility and will therefore replace the AHK without comment.
About a year ago, a truck hit the drawbar of my caravan. The first thing the expert listed as a replacement part was the coupling device, with the comment: "...if it ever jams, the brakes won't work anymore, so it should be replaced..." Additionally, I was told to replace the AKS, even though there was no visible damage. I then had the AKS X-rayed, and lo and behold, there was a crack in the material.

Was the hook attached during the accident, or not? If the hook wasn't attached, then I would continue to use them.

@bertil

I also understand that the AHK } is a safety component. However, since it wasn't installed, I don't think they could have received any penalties. Well, go to a friend who works at the } TÜV } tomorrow and have it inspected for free. If the } TOP } says so, it will stay on. Maybe go to an expert; perhaps he will write a new } AHK } certificate.

Hi Joerg,

... then leave the old one if nothing is visibly bent. An expert might write a new one anyway. Talk to him about it and tell him that you need the trailer hitch for towing a caravan, then most experts will be hesitant and write a new one .


Since we're already talking about AHK:
My AXR is getting a new detachable tow hitch installed on Monday (the third one!!). After the first two started to rattle after about 300 km with a caravan attached, and the head of each one broke off (the last one even shifted 3mm sideways!!), my workshop showed the whole thing to a VW warranty representative... The comment was: "...install a WESTFALIA instead of an ORIS, and the problem will be gone..."
There is a recall campaign for the ORIS tow hitch due to worn ball joints, but only for the Passat, not for the Golf . Apparently, Golf drivers only use small (clattering) garden trailers, so the probability that someone notices the ball joint is rattling is low. However, owners of larger caravans often have an AKS system installed, and with that, there is usually no rattling, so the play in the ball joint becomes immediately noticeable.
"My workshop did everything possible, unknowingly repeatedly installing the ORIS system on my car. Consequently, the master mechanic was very upset about the statement made by the VW employee. He apologized to me 250 times. But what can the workshop do about it? I don't care as long as this whole thing doesn't cost me anything. I do feel a little sorry for the workshop, though."

@bertil

My condolences! Unfortunately, the workshops often can't do anything about VW's problematic infotainment system. It's strange that this issue exists for the Passat but not for the Golf, even though the same system is installed.

Regarding my Passat: the Westfalia system was installed from the beginning! Thank goodness!

I have an expert opinion appointment tomorrow. I already told the person that I am a 'Wowa' driver, and it made them nervous!

Hi,
That was my experience as well. The expert will not take any risks. Therefore, increase your compensation! I didn't renew mine because I only use them very rarely, and even then, it's mostly for removing tree stumps.
I wouldn't put much stock in the absence of visible damage if you've been using the bag a lot. The question is whether contact with an enemy was even possible in the first place.

@ Bertil

Hi, I have a question about the Oris coupling. I got it by chance, as described above. I've only used it once, and based on your description of potential issues, I just went out to my Golf and, like a madman (my neighbor must think I'm crazy), I hooked it on and fiddled with it, making sure it has minimal play. Okay, if everything goes well, I'll probably only need to use the coupling five more times before I get rid of the car, and I'll never tow a caravan.
However, since I don't have a warranty on this part, my question is: is it dangerous to drive with it like this, or is it just a cosmetic issue? If there are any concerns, I'll remove it again, as I hardly ever use it anyway!

Matthias.

Hi Matthias,

I recognize the picture with the people tearing at the wild boar at the AHK...

Well, technically, it's a defect, and the TÜV (German technical inspection agency) would reject you because of it. A minimal amount of play can quickly become a huge problem... just like it did for me. The heavier the trailer, the faster this happens. However, I don't know anyone at the TÜV who has ever been interested in my tow hitch. So, you can consider it a cosmetic issue.
Abfallen wird dir das Teil sicher nicht nur das Spiel wird größer werden (bei mir zuletzt 2mm!!). L"ass die AHK dran." translates to: "ass die AHK is connected." or "ass die AHK is plugged in."
It was under warranty for me, and I ultimately want to receive flawless products. Besides, the rattling noise of the trailer hitch is annoying. However, my unbraked trailer has a louder rattling sound than the hitch itself, so it wouldn't really matter to me in that case.

P.S. I've already taken apart detachable tow hitches from various Volkswagen Golf models, and all of them had some play in them.

Okay, then I'll just leave it as it is; it's wobbly, but as I said, I don't intend to attach half a house to it.
"How is that possible, or is it not allowed to ask? Behind my car, I used to have a tiny trailer that weighed only about 200 kg and I drove it for less than 40 km. What is this supposed to be, a quick-release coupling? Is that why it's detachable?"
Well, never mind.


Thank you, Bertil!


Matthias.