AIBU to be really upset, almost in mourning for the loss of my car, or just ridiculous

Not silly at all. I always feel a bit sad when I trade in my car for a new one. Even though I’m excited at getting a new car I always feel mean walking away from my old one at the dealership. I almost want to say sorry for abandoning it. ?

Wouldn't it be cheaper to accept the £1k and have it repaired than buy another car?

GSM, sadly no. The car, in today's hyperinflating car price days is probably worth £1,000, up from £500, and DH thinks the steering rack has been damaged because it was pulling to one side a bit as he drove home. He reckons at least £2-3000 to repair. I will get the current value of the car, assume around £1,000, but that is all.

So I am now considering what I will do after that. Probably buy another one the same, but younger. I have started to peruse the car ads, but with a very heavy heart.

Completely understand, Monica, and am really sad for you. However, SO glad no one was physically harmed although it may not feel like that to you at the moment. ?

Oh, that’s a sorry story, Monica. It’s odd how some cars have personalities. I had a VW Polo, very basic, that I loved so much! I later had another identical one apart from colour but it simply wasn’t the same.

Likewise, my dd has had a relatively minor (but expensive!) accident in her little car and she is v upset. Her car even has a name and gets taken out for treats and all sorts.

I’m glad you’re not hurt, but it’s still a shock and it’ll take a while to adjust to the situation, I suspect. Take care.

My SiLs old car was deemed a write off, but she was able to get it repaired and reinsure it. The payout from the insurance co was more than the repair cost, so she was quids in. You have to discuss this with the insurance co, sounds like yours might be ok if it’s drivable.

Oh Monica, I feel for you. The previous weekend my son wrote off his Toyota Yaris, to which he was devoted, having bought it new 18 years ago. Like you he feels the loss keenly. However his reaction was to rush out and buy a very expensive new one, which will never replace the feeling he had when the Yaris was delivered at one minute past midnight so that he could drive that newly registered car!

I’m so sorry MOnica. We get very attached to our cars which take us everywhere and wait to bring us safely back. It’s always a relief to see the familiar workhorse waiting in the car park, a relief to get in and get back home.
You said it was possible to drive the car home. Is there no way the insurance company can be prevailed upon to pay the cost of repairs rather than scrapping your old friend? Or at least to pay you its value and leave ownership with you?

Not at all Monica. I had a red Fiesta a few years ago. Just a Fiesta. Nothing flash.

I LOVED that car. It was really nippy. I hammered it up and down the A1 for years. It moved house with me, fitting almost all of my belongings into it (how????). It once fitted a sofa in that my bloke claimed not to be able to fit into his people carrier.

I kept it insured when I first moved abroad and had a friend drive it once a week.

Broke my heart when it failed its MOT and had to be scrapped. The only car I've loved. None of the flash / expensive ones I've had were loved like that.

Cars become part of our lives and you can grieve for them when they go, especially suddenly as yours did.
I think many of us become attached to our cars. Not unusual.

Yanbu.

I learned not to associate memories to things to avoid this.

Firstly I'm glad you say no one was injured. That is most important.
Some people might shrug and say it's only a car, it can be replaced, but for many of us our car becomes our friend especially when like yours it has seen you through the ups and downs of life. I can understand how you feel.