Bought a Cat-D - problems.

[Colvette]

Chrysler 300C SRT-8. 6.1 Hemi V8.

I've had another look, and I'm thinking it is just a shonky panel repair - the strut mounts in the boot all look straight and not messed with (all the bolts are tight in their holes and there's no rippling), so I've booked it into a bodyshop on Saturday.

I realise the whole 'oo! cat-d!' thing, but not only was the car generally out of my price range, but they're also relatively rare. As I said, I have no intention of selling it (I'd sooner park it on my drive and declare it as SORN so I could just roll it backward and forward on my drive!), but I just want to make sure it's in as good a shape as I can get it so I know I'm not going to have any properly nasty long-term problems.

[Colvette]

Cupramax said:

Colvette said:

Yup, I understand all that - I did before I bought it. This isn't really about who pays to fix it, it's more about what's wrong with the car...

You clearly dont or you wouldnt have said this

Colvette said:

Private seller. I was very clear that I was only buying the car if it was solid, and would come back if there was an issue in the near future. I'd call 4 days of ownership 'the near future'

Meh. The seller has agreed to cover the costs of repairs if there's something serious wrong with it. I'm all good, thanks.

[Ikemi]

Cupramax said:

Colvette said:

Yup, I understand all that - I did before I bought it. This isn't really about who pays to fix it, it's more about what's wrong with the car...

You clearly dont or you wouldnt have said this

Colvette said:

Private seller. I was very clear that I was only buying the car if it was solid, and would come back if there was an issue in the near future. I'd call 4 days of ownership 'the near future'

Don't forget this!

Colvette said:

I'm happy with that, and I can sort it (or get the seller to sort it considering I paid for a repaired cat-d),

Colvette said:

Meh. The seller has agreed to cover the costs of repairs if there's something serious wrong with it. I'm all good, thanks.

I find that hard to believe. He has no reason to help you cover costs towards a repair. None whatsoever. Hopefully it's something pretty easy to fix and therefore, relatively inexpensive. However the seller should be telling you to stop contacting him. It's not up to him anymore; it's now your responsibility.

[Colvette]

-sigh-

I didn't come here asking for advice on how to deal with this, I came here asking for opinions about the damage. There's a significant difference. Afterall, this isn't called "Legal Situations-Heads", it's called "PistonHeads".

Thanks, all, for your input. Especially the people who helped me out with my actual query.

[CAPP0]

Colvette said:

or get the seller to sort it

Colvette said:

private seller

Will this EVER sink in? What he said and what happens when you go back are unlikely to resemble each other, unless you have a signed declaration from him.

Edited by CAPP0 on Thursday 17th April 13:11

[Colvette]

^^ See my previous post.

[Ikemi]

Colvette said:

-sigh-

I didn't come here asking for advice on how to deal with this, I came here asking for opinions about the damage.

I reckon a visit to a bodyshop would've been the first port of call - For what you describe, it's difficult to understand the gravity of the damage without seeing in person. Photos may have helped, but it sounds as though it requires more investigation.

[Dave200]

Colvette said:

-sigh-

I didn't come here asking for advice on how to deal with this, I came here asking for opinions about the damage. There's a significant difference. Afterall, this isn't called "Legal Situations-Heads", it's called "PistonHeads".

Thanks, all, for your input. Especially the people who helped me out with my actual query.

Don't take it personally. 90%+ of GG posts are a game of one-upmanship or trying to prove people wrong. Good luck with the seller.

[Vaud]

The seller is under no obligation to fix it for you.

You may have found a seller with integrity and is willing to help; they do exist.

But lets face it he hasn't written you an unlimited cheque for repairs...

IF he is good to his word, make sure he is happy with all costs before proceeding.

[CAPP0]

Colvette said:

^^ See my previous post.

I think we crossed. And I understand that your OP asked about the damage not the accountabilities, but then you made the point about going back t the seller. Almost every day someone posts that they bought a vehicle in a private sale and then expect to go back to the seller and quibble. Unless the seller lied (for example in your case, if you asked him whether it was insurance-recorded or not and he said No) then there is pretty much zero comeback. Ever. I've been the seller, I've worried about the "solicitor's letter" and I've learnt the truth.

I have to add, in your case, buying with the full knowledge that it was damaged/repaired probably does your legs even more. Buy cheap, buy twice and all that.

[crazy about cars]

Without any pictures it's hard for anyone here to offer any useful advise except take it to a decent bodyshop to have it checked out.

Cat D is a bit of hit and miss. Sometimes it might be nothing serious but there are chances it's a cover up job to hide the cracks.

[greggy50]

How is anyone meant to know from a vague description is is quite obvious need to take it to the bodyshop really to get a proper opinion.

Also seller would be mad to give you even a penny cat d cars are cheap for a reason its a risk you take...

[Tonberry]

Bizarre thread.

If the damage to the vehicle were serious it would have been a CAT C or worse due to cost to fix.

The only way the car will be damaged to any extent that your safety is at risk is if additional damage wasn't reported to the insurance company and fixed privately.

Good luck.

[Colvette]

I'm reasonably mechanically aware - I think I know what to look for with regard to general serious damage (panel gaps, signs of trauma around suspension struts etc), but obviously this is just being fastidious with your eyes. I identified where the car had been repaired, no problem. Also paid attention to the way it drove (at low and high speed). It was solid, no scuttling, no vibration, steering was in alignment with no pulling etc. In addition, the twin exhausts are aligned, which (to me) suggests that the chassis itself is straight.

That being the case, it looked like a reasonable punt. Obviously what I don't know is if my checks haven't uncovered something which wouldn't be apparent to the more switched on punter.

I guess it's more of an engineering question, really. Given all the information above, which suggests that the car is straight, is there any danger that there could be more serious damage that wouldn't be revealed by a decent visual once-over?

[Colvette]

Tonberry said:

Bizarre thread.

If the damage to the vehicle were serious it would have been a CAT C or worse due to cost to fix.

The only way the car will be damaged to any extent that your safety is at risk is if additional damage wasn't reported to the insurance company and fixed privately.

Good luck.

Nope, wasn't repaired privately. Cat D recorded.

[Du1point8]

Was it the old model?

they are not exactly expensive for a straight one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

[Escy]

Colvette said:

Meh. The seller has agreed to cover the costs of repairs if there's something serious wrong with it. I'm all good, thanks.

I'm sure he has. See what happens if you actually tried to pursue him for money.

[s3fella]

Colvette said:

-sigh-

I didn't come here asking for advice on how to deal with this, I came here asking for opinions about the damage. There's a significant difference. Afterall, this isn't called "Legal Situations-Heads", it's called "PistonHeads".

Thanks, all, for your input. Especially the people who helped me out with my actual query.

And yet you didn't even tell us what car it is until someone asked 3 hours into the thread.

Ps your car doesn't have a chassis I don't think.

Your private seller sounds like a mug if he's offering to pay for it, so I think you're lucky to have found one with such a rare car.

Good luck sorting it, with luck it is just something minor.

Edited by s3fella on Thursday 17th April 13:59

[Colvette]

Du1point8 said:

Was it the old model?

they are not exactly expensive for a straight one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

That's a 5.7 litre V8, not an SRT8. Big difference. You'll be lucky to find an SRT8 with decent milage for less than £12k.

[Du1point8]

Colvette said:

Du1point8 said:

Was it the old model?

they are not exactly expensive for a straight one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

That's a 5.7 litre V8, not an SRT8. Big difference. You'll be lucky to find an SRT8 with decent milage for less than £12k.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201404103228636/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/fuel-type/petrol/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/radius/1500/model/300c/engine-size-cars/5lplus/postcode/sw99ju/make/chrysler?logcode=p