Jerry-built springer

My son skidded his 2004 Renault Megane on the ice and hit a stone wall causing damage to the nearside front panel, headlight, bumper etc., enough to claim on the insurance together with the wall. We have just received the car back but when driven there was a noise from the front drivers side. I asked the man about it and he said it was a broken suspension spring and that the insurance company had told them not to repair it as it appeared to be corroded and could have gone at anytime. But it hadn't. I have not had to sign any acceptance note for the car and have not yet paid the policy excess. The insurance assessor takes my point but says that it could have gone anytime. The are redelivering the courtesy car and taking my son’s car back to the garage, but the issue of who pays for the replacement spring to be fitted is unresolved. Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated

Asked on 3 April 2010 by M.C., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
What you are effectively stating here is that your insurer has returned
your car to you in a dangerous and unroadworthy condition. That is a criminal offence. If the spring is broken and this has been found during the course of the repair, they must not return the car to you until it is repaired, whoever actually pays for it.
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