Citroen C4 Sedan, 1.6 (150 hp), A6
Manufacturer Citroen Russia, KalugaYear of issue 2013In operation “Behind the wheel” from June 2013Mileage at time of report 118,000 km
What happened?!
The Citroën journey began on a bright summer morning along a wide, nearly empty avenue. The driver acknowledges responsibility for a risky maneuver in an empty left lane to execute a U-turn, not predicting that a faster vehicle could overtake on the oncoming lane. After ensuring there was no traffic, a U-turn was attempted and an ambulance Ford, driving without a siren and, as street camera footage confirms, without a warning flash, collided with the car.
Recently, there seems to be a rising trend of ambulance drivers disregarding the rules. Even in places like Cork Moscow, rules are occasionally overlooked. Instances of drivers bypassing sirens and using restricted lanes have become more noticeable, raising concerns about safety and protocol adherence.
During loading and unloading, the car reportedly exhibited some instability, including brief movements on its own. Waiting around three hours for the accident to be officially recorded is part of the process. Street camera footage and a witness who was driving with the author assisted in assessing innocence. The takeaway was clear: avoid releasing a fellow traveler in questionable cases until a final decision is reached and their account is included in the protocol.
Repair or money?
The Citroën required OSAGO-based repairs. Visible damage included a fender, door, mirror, threshold, cracked windshield, and a displaced A-pillar. The front wheel also sustained damage to the suspension.
Insurance companies moved toward payout rather than disputing service quality. The initial estimate hovered around 87,000 rubles, a sum deemed insufficient. With persistence and some disassembly, the payout nearly doubled after further evaluation by a more experienced assessor. The outcome was satisfactory for the situation.
Fortunately, the impact affected only the exterior interface components of the vehicle.
What are the parts from?
Suspension components—the strut, knuckle, and tie rod—were replaced with new parts. Replacing brand-new body panels on a nine-year-old car would be impractical, given current price levels and delivery times. A decision was made to source used body parts from a reliable supplier and have professionals perform the repair. The Citroën C4 is not a common model in the region, so sourcing up-to-date market options and avoiding questionable parts became essential. In some cases, parts from neighboring Belarus proved advantageous.
Market options for used body parts abound, but many come with prior repairs, poorly filled putty, or inconsistent paintwork. This prompted selecting a used, well-preserved unit for the repair instead of new components.
How many?
The original front fender carried a price tag of about 25,000 rubles, but a used unit was acquired for 14,000. The windshield with heating and a rain sensor was listed at 35,000 rubles; a used model in decent condition was found for 19,800. A wing mirror saved roughly 6,500 rubles. Overall savings exceeded 34,000 rubles, not counting time saved by avoiding the wait for an original part.
Today, other emergency services face typical lead times of three to four months for spare parts.
The most uncertain aspect remained the inverted wheel, especially before fully understanding the extent of the damage and the repair scope.
Enough insurance money?
Complete repair, including professional painting and wheel alignment, cost approximately 200,000 rubles. While not cheap, current car prices make the investment reasonable. The insurer paid 186,600 rubles, meaning the owner contributed about 14,000 rubles. This feels like a fair outcome given the vehicle’s age.
Repair costs after an accident
Body parts 102 050 ₽
- Front fender 14 000 ₽
- Front door 32 780 ₽
- Exterior mirror 19 890 ₽
- Windshield 19 800 ₽
- Other materials 15 580 ₽
Body 62 600 ₽
Suspension parts 14 100 ₽
- Drawbar 2 400 ₽
- Suspension strut 5 850 ₽
- Rotatable fist 5 850 ₽
Suspension work (including wheel alignment) 21 000 ₽
Total: repair after an accident 201 740 ₽
Other costs — full reconciliation
Shortly before the accident, the chain damper and a phase control solenoid valve were replaced during the next service.
The front suspension also required attention, mainly due to wear on the levers and ball joints after extensive use. The oil pump pulley, engine mount, and related components were replaced as preventive maintenance. The battery was also swapped. Historical maintenance shows oil consumption near 0.3 liters per 1000 km, a common characteristic for early Citroëns. Production models after 2015 reportedly addressed this issue.
Despite part replacements, the cost per kilometer, excluding the accident, declined from 7.5 to 6.7 rubles over the last 10,000 km. While not cheap, the value proposition for a vehicle of this class remains favorable.
Operating and maintenance costs excluding repairs after an accident (0-118,000 km)
Maintenance costs 0–118,000 km 792,898 ₽, of which gasoline 430,667 ₽. Maintenance costs 110,000–118,000 km 108,019 ₽, including petrol (AI-95, average consumption 10.7 L/100 km) 46,224 ₽. Maintenance (oil, filters, service at gas stations) 17,145 ₽, silent blocks 2,700 ₽, spherical bearing 1,200 ₽, water pump pulley 1,850 ₽, engine mount 2,000 ₽, timing chain tensioner 1,800 ₽, timing solenoid valve 2,800 ₽, wiper blades 2,250 ₽, battery 6,600 ₽, engine oil 3,400 ₽. Station work 20,050 ₽. Cost per kilometer 6.72 ₽.
* Excluding transport tax, costs for OSAGO and Casco policies.
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- Which parts have increased in price more than others are described here.
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