CAT B write-off, back on road?
Discussion
drive past one of coparts new yards most days as its next to our workshop,
the amount of minimally damaged cars sitting there is staggering.
insurance companies seem very quick to write cars off these days.
be that down to hire costs repair times/costs parts availability or a combinanation who knows but looking at just that one yard and the volume going through it really does open your eyes as to why insurance costs are so high
the amount of minimally damaged cars sitting there is staggering.
insurance companies seem very quick to write cars off these days.
be that down to hire costs repair times/costs parts availability or a combinanation who knows but looking at just that one yard and the volume going through it really does open your eyes as to why insurance costs are so high
rallycross said:
NinjaXP said:
my sincere apologies for raising this post from a few years ago but i am in a situation where i could use some support.
from what i have read, the write off categorisations are not legal but insurance guidelines.
my nisan micra which i have had since new as been made a cat b! i cannot fathom this since it was only minor front bumper damage and the wing mirror came off! copart are refusing to recategorise it.
i want to get the vehicle back which i believe i can force my insurers to do but I just want to understand that since i DO NOT intend on selling it, can i drive the vehicle by keeping my V5 but obviosuly ensuring MOT and road tax are held?
Thank you
Do you have a pic of the damage, any airbags go off, still drivable?from what i have read, the write off categorisations are not legal but insurance guidelines.
my nisan micra which i have had since new as been made a cat b! i cannot fathom this since it was only minor front bumper damage and the wing mirror came off! copart are refusing to recategorise it.
i want to get the vehicle back which i believe i can force my insurers to do but I just want to understand that since i DO NOT intend on selling it, can i drive the vehicle by keeping my V5 but obviosuly ensuring MOT and road tax are held?
Thank you
the first pic is what this whole situation is about but just to show the complete picture of the car, the back passenger door also has damage which again easily repairable and very easily fixed!!
sorry cannot upload the pics since i am new! forum rules don't allow it says i can post links after 14 days. I will be back after 14 days!
QuickQuack said:
No, not anymore you can't!
Thank you for this information. looks like i am stuffed. I am still trying to get it reclassified. i have made a complaint to Aviva. from what i have read it can be a Cat C, D or even N! but in no way a B! i am very very frustrated. 1st gov.uk page said:
What you do next depends on which category your vehicle is in.
Category A Cannot be repaired Entire vehicle has to be crushed
Category B Cannot be repaired Body shell has to be crushed, but you can salvage other parts from it
Category A Cannot be repaired Entire vehicle has to be crushed
Category B Cannot be repaired Body shell has to be crushed, but you can salvage other parts from it
2nd gov.uk page said:
The process of a vehicle being declared a total loss, commonly referred to as a ‘write off’, is widely misunderstood. Insurance total losses can be divided into 2 categories:
- an actual loss, where a vehicle cannot or should not be repaired (category A or B) – these will not be re-registered by DVLA
- a constructive loss, where the vehicle could be repaired but the cost of doing so would exceed the replacement value of the vehicle (category S or N)
A more detailed description of this process is laid out in the insurers’ code of practice on vehicle salvage. The code came into effect in October 2017, replacing a previous version.
Vehicles that are deemed an ‘actual loss’ should never be repaired and returned to the road. Even if they look like they have been repaired, the structural damage they have incurred makes them unsafe to drive.
Strictly speaking, it's a code of practice, not a guideline. For regulated industries and professions, deviations from codes of practice are legally enforceable. Hence, DVLA will not re-register the vehicle, you won't be able to MOT the car, tax it or insure it to drive it on the road. There's enough information to confirm that the previously available VIC inspection route no longer applies to cat B vehicles.- an actual loss, where a vehicle cannot or should not be repaired (category A or B) – these will not be re-registered by DVLA
- a constructive loss, where the vehicle could be repaired but the cost of doing so would exceed the replacement value of the vehicle (category S or N)
A more detailed description of this process is laid out in the insurers’ code of practice on vehicle salvage. The code came into effect in October 2017, replacing a previous version.
Vehicles that are deemed an ‘actual loss’ should never be repaired and returned to the road. Even if they look like they have been repaired, the structural damage they have incurred makes them unsafe to drive.
Edited by NinjaXP on Thursday 28th March 13:08
Edited by NinjaXP on Thursday 28th March 13:09
NinjaXP said:
Good news for anybody that may read this after!
I complained and complained and complained, totally threw my toys out of the pram, I want this, I want that, financial ombudsman, small claims court…etc
They are going to recategorise it to N!
Excellent news. I complained and complained and complained, totally threw my toys out of the pram, I want this, I want that, financial ombudsman, small claims court…etc
They are going to recategorise it to N!
Well done for fighting it and thanks for updating us
NinjaXP said:
Good news for anybody that may read this after!
I complained and complained and complained, totally threw my toys out of the pram, I want this, I want that, financial ombudsman, small claims court…etc
They are going to recategorise it to N!
Excellent outcome, and thanks for updating! I complained and complained and complained, totally threw my toys out of the pram, I want this, I want that, financial ombudsman, small claims court…etc
They are going to recategorise it to N!
To also update this matter.
Cat B can still go back on the road in the UK, now someone will quickly chime in to say not any more, so here is a case in point:-
David Gilmour, him of Pink Floyd fame had an F40 from new, his car was sold on after a while and then burned to the ground and was recorded as a cat B, it was then bought by Douglas Valley Salvage who then sold it onto a Dutch guy, he rebuilt it and then eventually it was sold on to its current UK owner a year or so ago.
That owner successfully fought the DVLA through the courts recently to get it back again on a new, age related UK registration.
Cat B can still go back on the road in the UK, now someone will quickly chime in to say not any more, so here is a case in point:-
David Gilmour, him of Pink Floyd fame had an F40 from new, his car was sold on after a while and then burned to the ground and was recorded as a cat B, it was then bought by Douglas Valley Salvage who then sold it onto a Dutch guy, he rebuilt it and then eventually it was sold on to its current UK owner a year or so ago.
That owner successfully fought the DVLA through the courts recently to get it back again on a new, age related UK registration.
Edited by PAUL.S. on Friday 5th April 14:13
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