Active build in progress
I'm Sam — not a mechanic, just learning as I go. I buy damaged cars, figure out the repairs, make mistakes, and document all of it honestly on YouTube.
Currently trying to save a crashed 2014 VW Polo with some pretty stubborn front-end chassis damage. Follow along and see if it actually comes good.
Current build
Front-end crash damage. Cooling system is back together and the car runs — but the driver-side chassis damage is turning out to be a much bigger job than expected.
Every project from start to finish — or wherever we are right now.
Project 02
The Polo came out of a Copart auction with front-end crash damage. The cooling system has been rebuilt and the car now runs up to temperature — but the deeper we've got into the front end, the more obvious it's become that the driver-side chassis damage is worse than it first looked.
The big question right now: can the front end be pulled straight enough to save it, or has this one been bought too far gone?
Project 01
The first BatesBuilds project. A crash-damaged VW Up! bought from Copart with a driver-side hit, two damaged steel wheels, and a door to track down. Four episodes, a lot of learning, and the car made it to MOT-ready on a strict budget.
Built by BatesBuilds
Every time someone asked "how much have you spent on it?" I had to estimate. Receipts in one place, costs in another, nothing properly adding up. I built RevCount so I'd never have to guess again.
It's a simple tool for tracking exactly what a project car is costing you — from the auction fee to the last bolt. Built for builders, not accountants.
VW Polo
In ProgressTotal Spent
£—
Parts Sold
£—
Net Cost
£—
Est. Profit
£—
⚡ Live data pulled from RevCount in real time
