How bad is Catogory C accident damage?

[david_s]

Stolen and recovered's with no other damage are usually category X, and not listed at HPI.

[silverback mike]

My cat C damaged porsche was most definately NOT slaughtered.

Damage :- Front grille, undertray, radiator damage and that's it.

Damaged bits stripped...



And after I had repaired it for minimal outlay.



I spoke to the previous owner who stated he had driven over a wheel shed from another vehicle at 50mph causing no more damage that previously stated. The car had virtually a full porsche history, and was an absolute peach. Pictoral and written evidence it wasn't 'slaughtered'.

[Locoblade]

Someone questioned before why a car would be written off if the repair cost is less than the car is worth and Im not sure its been answered properly.

Obviously what needs to be remembered is the car when damaged has value to the insurer, for example a car worth £10k that has £8k of damage will be written off if the salvage value is say £3k, because a £10k payout to the insured minus £3K they get for selling on the salvage means a total payout of £7k, £1k less than to repair the car outright.

[jjc1]

Hi im looking at a Cat C damaged and mended golf 2003 1.4 E 31K priced at £4700 I Would like some advise, is it worth getting a AA check, the garage thats selling it done the repairs. Will I have trouble selling this? Will garages take it as part ex?

Thanks

[towman]

jjc1 said:

Hi im looking at a Cat C damaged and mended golf 2003 1.4 E 31K priced at £4700 I Would like some advise, is it worth getting a AA check, the garage thats selling it done the repairs. Will I have trouble selling this? Will garages take it as part ex? Thanks

Get it checked! Ask to see pre-accident pictures. If we say that the car has a trade value of sy 4k, cat C implies that the repairs cost MORE than this! Some shunt !!

[jjc1]

Great thanks for your help

[Chris71]

Sure someones said this already, but bare in mid it depends heavily on the value of the car. Its no exageration to say a cheap enough car would be written off (catergory D atleast) by a cracked headlamp.

I used to have a CAT C 205 GTI. It really p*ssed me off to find out it had been a write off when the log book came through as I wasn't aware of this when I bought it, but in truth there was no real sign of damage and it drove perfectly normally. The only downisde was the fact I'd paid a regular car price for it and (being an honest sort!) had to sell it on for about half that at CAT C price.

As long as its been properly inspected it shouldn't be too bad, but guess they must vary considerably.

[keepsfalling]

Sorry to bring this up again guys.. After reading everything on this thread (I think) I've been looking at a 2003 Land Rover Defender for sale which is a Category D. I've asked for pre-repair damage photos.

Once I've got these do you think it wise to go round with an AA guy and a mechanic to check to see if it's thieved or a bodge job??

Have been speaking to a friend about it but he's confused me as one miute he says one thing then the next he says another (!) so am just looking for a little reassurance really.

I want it so bad.. Haha. It's so schweeeeet There's no way I could afford one if it wasn't Cat D but like others am worried about killing myself (or someone else) in it!!!!

[Polarbert]

How old is the car? Cat D is the lightest write off, so it may be fine and dandy. But they will have had to have written it off for a reason.

[pjskel]

Guys, can I have some opinion on this please.

[url]http://tinyurl.com/fszt9[/url]

As per something mentioned on one of the previous pages, 30% of the typical £10K others are going for, would suggest £7K or less is about right for this?
What questions should I be asking initially before putting this one into the possibly maybe list?
Had a brief chat, when it was relayed that no chassis damage was done, only wing and front.

Cheers.

[marcus_angell]

A cat C can often mean significant damage. The car is only as good as the repair! If you can get pre accident pic's and see the extent of the damage, and know who repaired it you'll have a much better chance. Without being able to do either of these things I'd steer clear!

[J500ANT]

That Lexus looks like its still got damage to the NSR wing.

Dont forget a car could be written off due to unavailability of new parts (ie Rover stuff) where the owner or ins co wont use used stuff.

[sarge3uk]

hello everyone im a new member to the site im buying a toyota starlet gt turbo with cat c damage but its only panel damage.im going to repair it myself due to me been a mechanic and using second hand parts.after i have completed this task will i have to have it inspected and how much is this and were could i get it sone thanks james sargent

[towman]

sarge3uk said:

hello everyone im a new member to the site im buying a toyota starlet gt turbo with cat c damage but its only panel damage.im going to repair it myself due to me been a mechanic and using second hand parts.after i have completed this task will i have to have it inspected and how much is this and were could i get it sone thanks james sargent

You may need to have a VIC check...................

Question: What is the VIC Scheme?
Answer: It is a check to confirm the identity of a vehicle

Question: Which vehicles will it affect?
Answer: Any Category C vehicle that is purchased from the auction site may need a VIC check at the DVLA's discretion. Anything with an accident date prior to 07 April will not be affected.
To confirm whether your vehicle will need a VIC check, please call one of the following numbers
0870 6060440
0870 2400010

Question: When does the VIC Scheme come into operation?
Answer: The scheme comes into force on 07 April 2003

Question: How do I put a vehicle through a VIC?
Answer: In Great Britain you must apply to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to find out more information you can visit their web site here.

Question: What will a VIC involve
Answer: The VIC inspection is to confirm that the vehicle is the vehicle that you are applying for a V5 for. Some of the information that will be required to complete the application form is listed below.


VIN number
Registration number (VRM)
Any other information required to identify the vehicle
A fee of £26-50 is payable in advance, once your application and fee is received, the VOSA will book an appointment for you. No time scale has been set but it is hoped that you will hear from VOSA within 3 working days The check will take approximately 30 minutes. It will involve comparing vehicle details with information held at the DVLA. The check will also compare the records of previous accident damage reports. The inspector will require on the day of inspection a current MOT, if the vehicle is driven, if not driven no MOT required, proof of purchase, insurance to drive the car and any receipts that are relevant to the repairs carried out on the vehicle.
When a vehicle passes the VIC, the results will be stored on a computer by the DVLA, the person taking the vehicle will be given written confirmation that it has passed the VIC on the day of inspection, only when the vehicle has passed the VIC can you apply for a V5.
The logbook will be marked with the following once a vehicle has passed the VIC inspection - "Accident damaged and/or substantially repaired on (date). It will also confirm the date that the Vehicle Inspectorate checked it.
Each test station will develop its own procedure in respect of bookings and you, as the purchaser will have to confirm with individual stations as to what their procedures are.
You may want the vehicle to undergo an MOT once the vehicle has had its VIC inspection, if you inform the vehicle inspectorate they may be able to arrange this at the time of booking the VIC.

[off_again]

rubystone said:

Cat D - ROFLMAO - if it's less than the cost of the repair of the effing car, why write it off??????.

Ok, here is a scenario for you - someone who works for me has a BMW 530d and suffers some fire damage to the car. Anticipated cost of repairs around £5000 with value of the car at the £9000 mark. So, repaired then according to your black and white perspective then?

Actually NO - the insurance company wrote it off because the car was subjected to two inspections and both failed to come up with a satisfactory answer why the car ignited in the first place. So rather than just patching up a motor and sending it on its merry way, they decided that it was better to "write it off". Pay the cash out and have done with it. The last thing they want as insurers is a claim against them for putting a potentially lethal car back on the roads again. Personally I think this is a sensible decision. Specifically speaking the insurer and the companies they use could not justify the time, effort and costs involved in providing a 100% guarantee. However, sold on as a CAT C for example is fine - someone can spend the time and effort to get it sorted.

[viperbitch]

For all you guys wondering how bad a Cat D can be This is my hubbys two month old evo sold by the insurance company as cat D. It was bought for 9 grand by a one man dealer and back on the road in 3 months . I know this for fact as the guy contacted me for the service book and we had a speeding ticket through for 85 in a forty three months after they payed out the 33 grand !!!

BEWARE of all cars recorded unless you,ve seen the car pre repair and it cheep like half price after the repair

[wolf1]

That'll polish out that will!!!

Seriously though that's not irrepairable at all. A lot of bodyshops who do this sort of work have all the jigs etc to be able to realign the vehicle as it should be and effect a top notch repair without any real problems at all. Yes there are a number of back street clowns who try this but they are easy enough to spot anyway.
Repaired cars are either for you or they're not I suppose.

here's a couple for ya

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/porsche-boxter-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/lotus-elise-cat

Edited by wolf1 on Monday 4th September 21:37

[momentofmadness]

Of course with the smashed up Evo, the one man band chap may have just obtained a stolen evo of the same colour then put the CAT C/D identity onto the stolen one - passes all relevent checks cos it is a straight car, then sells it for £25k or whatever KERRRRCHINNGGGG!!!

[towman]

momentofmadness said:

Of course with the smashed up Evo, the one man band chap may have just obtained a stolen evo of the same colour then put the CAT C/D identity onto the stolen one - passes all relevent checks cos it is a straight car, then sells it for £25k or whatever KERRRRCHINNGGGG!!!

Thats what the VIC check is for.

[towman]

off_again said:

rubystone said:

Cat D - ROFLMAO - if it's less than the cost of the repair of the effing car, why write it off??????.

Ok, here is a scenario for you - someone who works for me has a BMW 530d and suffers some fire damage to the car. Anticipated cost of repairs around £5000 with value of the car at the £9000 mark. So, repaired then according to your black and white perspective then?

Actually NO - the insurance company wrote it off because the car was subjected to two inspections and both failed to come up with a satisfactory answer why the car ignited in the first place. So rather than just patching up a motor and sending it on its merry way, they decided that it was better to "write it off". Pay the cash out and have done with it. The last thing they want as insurers is a claim against them for putting a potentially lethal car back on the roads again. Personally I think this is a sensible decision. Specifically speaking the insurer and the companies they use could not justify the time, effort and costs involved in providing a 100% guarantee. However, sold on as a CAT C for example is fine - someone can spend the time and effort to get it sorted.

Here`s another far more common scanario........ Joe bloggs has his car nicked and the insurance pays out. In due course the stolen car is found with only minor damage. As it now belongs to the insurance company, they sell it as Cat D.