Write offs

[Harrychief]

Before I start I know I've been stupid but I bought a 1976 MGB GT on EBay without doing a status checks. When I ran the check on the RAC site it says that the car was written off in 1993 but there are no other details such as category A, B, C, or D.
The DVLA site does not show a VIC notification and I have received the new V5C without any notifications but the car has not been on the road since 1994.
The car looks straight and has had a considerable amount of money spent on it (overhauled engine and gearbox, new suspension, brakes, fuel tank, front and rear wings, re spray, minilite wheels and new tyres etc).
My question is how can I find out what the category of write off was and what do I need to do to get the car back on the road and insured?
Any advice great fully accepted.
Harry

[bungz]

I think a cat C would be recorded on the log book but a cat D doesn't have to be.

Likely to be a cat D.

[rallycross]

Back in the day there was no category code it was either on the register or not on the register, no details were ever available on what had caused the car to be written off.

Makes not much difference 23 years later, was only worth peanuts back then a dent in the door might have been enough to have it declared not worth repairing. prices have since risen!
My MGB GT was built like a tank but was held together mainly with filler, I'd guess it would be quite easy to spot major repairs but at that time it wouldn't have been worth repairing if it was a big bump.

[Lester H]

Cat D, you, including the trade, probably can't tell; Cat C, maybe. On late models, especially Korean , write off often due to time taken to get parts, sometimes obscure whilst owner has courtesy car, which may not just be a Micra if he kicks up a fuss. Main point though is that such vehicles should be sold at below book ( now usually websites) and not at normal price, low mileage or not! Insurers vary when asked to re- insure. Moral: just avoid.

[TooMany2cvs]

Harrychief said:

and what do I need to do to get the car back on the road and insured?

You need to MOT it.

Lemme get this straight... You're worried about a 22yo insurance claim on a car that was 17yo at the time, and which you've just rebuilt...?

[Harrychief]

I haven't rebuilt the car. I have just bought it from someone who has spent a lot of money on it but I don't know when the accident damage was repaired or the extent of the damage.
Harry

[gilbo]

I don't think it matters as much on a car of this age. There are plenty out there not recorded that will have been in a smack and as time goes by memories fade as they say. Our 5.3 V8 MGB GT has kissed the Armco and the chassis is still as straight as a die on all our set up gear....the engine probably twists the chassis more!

[familyguy1]

have you asked the ebay seller if he knows any details of why its a write off ? might be worth joining some MGB forums and asking there some have lists of specific cars, might jog someones memory.

[r11co]

Harrychief said:

I bought a 1976 MGB GT.

I think you are getting too hung-up on an issue that is just a legal technicality. A 1976 MGB will typically have had a ton of welding and panelwork done as a result of ageing and corrosion anyway, so if the car looks straight and checks out the 'write off' from 22 years ago is pretty much irrelevant.

What are the odds the car is a re-shell as a result of the write-off, as this is the route many restorers have taken?

Of greater concern would be if the car is a 'ringer' IMO, but the advice to check out the credentials of the car with MGOC's is sound.

Edited by r11co on Friday 9th October 09:58

[kambites]

Phone the DVLA and ask them. I suspect they'll say it's fine and you don't need to do anything.

[TooMany2cvs]

Harrychief said:

I haven't rebuilt the car. I have just bought it from someone who has spent a lot of money on it

A relatively minor distinction.

Harrychief said:

but I don't know when the accident damage was repaired or the extent of the damage.

Still irrelevant. The car has had a lot of work done in the intervening damn-near quarter of a century. Some of that work is structural on the body, almost certainly due to rot. Either you trust that work's been done properly - with all the inferences about no hidden surprises that includes - or you don't. If you don't, then which side of a paperwork value an ancient accident repair fell is utterly trivial.

[kambites]

I certainly wouldn't worry about the damage to the car if it drives OK. Most MGBs will have had structural chassis repairs due to rust even if they've never been in an accident. If it looks fine and drives fine it is fine... or at least as fine as can be expected of a 40 year-old car which was cheap and not very well rust-proofed from new.

[Harrychief]

Thanks guys, you have eased my mind.
I will have it structurally inspected and MOT'd.
Harry

[Lester H]

in fairness to others In this forum the MGB was Definitely not cheap new, in relation to inflation and price indices; neither was the the Midget. With no smoke and mirrors options plans then, whereby you buy half a car, like shared equity, these were dear for steady earners. Basic - without being horrid- cars are cheaper now.

[ging84]

VIC was introduced in 2003
a car written off well before this the dvla would never have been notified

[V8RX7]

Everyone still gets hung up on this VIC check - it's ONLY purpose is to check the chassis/engine no. and documents are the same - because many were buying write offs then stealing a matching car.

However IME it's completely pointless - stick a Bentley badge on an MX5 and it would probably pass as one !

[Kaj91]

V8RX7 said:

Everyone still gets hung up on this VIC check - it's ONLY purpose is to check the chassis/engine no. and documents are the same - because many were buying write offs then stealing a matching car.

However IME it's completely pointless - stick a Bentley badge on an MX5 and it would probably pass as one !

The VIC test has been scrapped since October 1st.

[V8RX7]

Kaj91 said:

V8RX7 said:

Everyone still gets hung up on this VIC check - it's ONLY purpose is to check the chassis/engine no. and documents are the same - because many were buying write offs then stealing a matching car.

However IME it's completely pointless - stick a Bentley badge on an MX5 and it would probably pass as one !

The VIC test has been scrapped since October 1st.

That shows how pointless it was.

[ging84]

Kaj91 said:

The VIC test has been scrapped since October 1st.

not till the 26th

[Kaj91]

ging84 said:

Kaj91 said:

The VIC test has been scrapped since October 1st.

not till the 26th

From October 1st, any 'new' cat C salvage purchased will not require a VIC.

Up until 26th October, all cat A & B vehicles will also need to be examined.
But from 26th October, it will no longer be possible to get a new V5 registration document. Even if your insurer allows you to retain the damaged vehicle. So you will need to make sure that you pass the vehicle on to a licensed vehicle dismantler.