Cat N / not structural?

[TROOPER88]

Hi Chaps
Had a look at this on Copart:

https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/38830619

It is a cat N but looking at the wing / door and the fact that the door will not open, is it likely this is more serious than it looks?

Cheers

[finlo]

Why do you think it's there in the first place!

[TROOPER88]

finlo said:

Why do you think it's there in the first place!

I’ve used Copart before...

Please don’t reply if you have nothing to add.

I’m questioning the insurance classification

[Driver101]

It doesn't sound too good, but a photograph isn't exactly a good way to argue against someone's assessment in person.

[TROOPER88]

Driver101 said:

It doesn't sound too good, but a photograph isn't exactly a good way to argue against someone's assessment in person.

Exactly

The reason I question it is due to the impact pushing the door back.

Surely this has therefore damaged the A pillar?

If it was a case of just bolt on new parts: wing, door, suspension and wheel I’d go for it as I can do the work.

Unfortunately I don’t have the skills to pull bodywork and it could get expensive getting this done

[tr7v8]

The door not opening looks to be just the wing jammed against it but maybe there is A post damage. Certainly looks an element of suspension damage looking at the wheel position.
Both airbags deployed and its £2350 with 3 days to run. Looks expensive

[motco]

The position of the o/s front wheel would be a bigger worry to me than a slightly displaced wing. It could be only bolt-on suspension parts, but it could also have distorted the floorpan where the suspension mounts.

[TROOPER88]

tr7v8 said:

The door not opening looks to be just the wing jammed against it but maybe there is A post damage. Certainly looks an element of suspension damage looking at the wheel position.
Both airbags deployed and its £2350 with 3 days to run. Looks expensive

3 hours.....

[TROOPER88]

motco said:

The position of the o/s front wheel would be a bigger worry to me than a slightly displaced wing. It could be only bolt-on suspension parts, but it could also have distorted the floorpan where the suspension mounts.

Roger

But, if this were the case, would it not be a cat S?

[motco]

TROOPER88 said:

motco said:

The position of the o/s front wheel would be a bigger worry to me than a slightly displaced wing. It could be only bolt-on suspension parts, but it could also have distorted the floorpan where the suspension mounts.

Roger

But, if this were the case, would it not be a cat S?

Possibly. But isn't that the point of the thread? "Is this car a genuine Cat N, or is it a Cat S masquerading as one with light damage only?"

[TROOPER88]

motco said:

Possibly. But isn't that the point of the thread? "Is this car a genuine Cat N, or is it a Cat S masquerading as one with light damage only?"

Haha, yes I guess so.

The MK4 R32 is a future classic, if not one already and have already out-priced the MK5's.

I would go for this but I am feeling the risk could be too big.

I have purchased a non-running Porsche through Copart recently and that ended well; this could be a step too far....

[TallPaul]

Looks to me like the wheel has pushed into the bottom of the A post, thats why the door doesnt open. Repairable but a bit more involved. Could possibly suggest driveshaft/ gearbox damage as well as the obvious suspension damage. I personally wouldnt buy it without viewing it in person.

Edited by TallPaul on Monday 5th August 10:23

Edited by TallPaul on Monday 5th August 10:24

[TROOPER88]

TallPaul said:

Looks to me like the wheel has pushed into the bottom of the A post, thats why the door doesnt open. Repairable but a bit more involved. Could possibly suggest driveshaft/ gearbox damage too. I personally wouldnt buy it without viewing it in person.

I am agreeing, I just think it is too risky.

Even if viewing was possible, it looks the sort of damage that you will not see until it is stripped

Thanks

[TallPaul]

In my opinion there’s enough unrecorded R32’s around to make this very difficult to sell on and has already been noted, doesnt appear to be cheap, no mention of mileage either.

[InitialDave]

It's possible it's just hit in such a way it's only damaged the outer panels, not the inner structure... just as it's possible it's ripped the lower control arm out without damaging anything anything else doing so.

I'd want to have a good look at it in person before buying it.

[mbwoy84]

TROOPER88 said:

Roger

But, if this were the case, would it not be a cat S?

In some cases you have to take the categories with a pinch of salt. They’re not inspected thoroughly enough for the categories to be considered that accurate in all cases. Plus it depends what you define as structural and non-structural.

As much as I think cat S and N is a better system than C and D, I’ve seen plenty of Cat N cars with structural damage and plenty of Cat S cars without any structural damage.