Is it worth/safe to repair?

[xmorpheus]

hi folks,
I'd like to get your opinion on this (I realise that you can't give definitive answers from a picture - just looking for guidance). Our beloved Swift GXL Rapide was in an accident at the weekend and there's quite a lot of damage to the front right corner (pic link below).

I'm not going to get into details at the moment, but there is a possibility that we will be offered a repair for this FOC
My question is - given what you can see, is it safe to repair? Are we just inviting a world of pain, damp and other possible problems going forwards or will a repair be sufficient to bring her back to life?
Prior to the accident, she had just been serviced, she has not now, nor has ever had, any damp and we never had any issues with water ingress etc. From a sentimental point of view, I would love to have my baby back. The repair offer has not yet been made, but I believe it's possible that we'll be offered it as an option and I'd just like to know if we're just going to be getting heartache if we choose to go that route?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

oooch!

Repair would have to be done by a specialist (if it can be repaired). It looks like damage to floor, front panel, windows, bulkhead, side panel and possibly front chassis outrigger. I'm no expert, but looks like an insurance write-off. How old is the van?

 

[Gabsgrandad]

I'm with Woodland Camper, I'm not an expert, but in my experience over the years you have a right off. If repairs were possible, ie, if replacement panels new front moulding etc were available I suspect the cost would be greater than the caravan value (I think they haven't made the Rapide for a few years?)

 

[xmorpheus]

Yeah she's a 94 Swift Rapide GXL 380.

If it's being repaired, it would be done by specialists. I think they're looking at it today to see if it's possible. My concern is whether we'd be looking at bigger problems later on down the line if they can repair it (I did speak with them this morning and if they were going to, it would be with suitable parts).
For reasons I won't go into publically, there would be no cost to us for the repairs so it's more a question of whether it's a good idea rather than the cost (I know that the cost would be prohibitive if we were paying for it).
BTW sympathies appreciated - my heart is a little broken, I have to be honest

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello xmorpheus

A twenty year old caravan in good condition can still be joy to own. However once serious damage like yours has occurred, there will always be nagging suspicions about the quality of repairs. The problem is more serious with an older caravan as OEM replacement parts will be very difficult if not impossible to source, so you will be looking at second hand parts, or specialist copies being made which will be expensive.

Because of the age and construction of your caravan I suspect most insurance companies would deem it uneconomic to repair and declare it a write off.

Good as the caravan may be it is old and you may make better economic sense to let it go and move onto something newer.

 

[MichaelE]

The van is only worth £1k- £1.5k so it is very likely to be written off im afraid.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Xmorpheous

A new front panel, side and floor sections before the cost of labour , sadly I think renders your Swift a constructive total loss beyond economic repair.
May I suggest you do some reach and collate a file of dealers selling similar aged models to yours. This will help with your total loss settlement negotiations.

 

[Willi-Wonti]

Its going to take a lot of body filler to fill that hole