Write Off

[LittleSwill]

I'm about to buy my first mx5 but it is showing that it was written off in 1996 (it's a 1996 mk1 1.8 for £1300 privately). It must have been quite serious to write off a nearly new car. Am I mad to still consider it?

[tuttle]

well not necessarily. If it were me though I wouldn't go near it, there are plenty of straight 5's out there.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Has it had regular servicing & MOTs since that date i.e. was it simply repaired straight away and put back on the road? If so I don't see what the problem is as long as the price & condition are good.

[LittleSwill]

Yes, full history.

[Altrezia]

I wouldnt. Plenty of good ones around, and this will be much harder to sell on. Seems high money for a written off one, too?

[Munter]

Given you should assume every car you buy has been crashed and repaired without involving the insurance. Buy on condition but use it as a negotiation point if it appears to be in good nick.

[MX-5 Lazza]

But it might well be a good one. If it is spotless i.e. no signs of rust anywhere, the interior & paintwork is clean and tidy, the engine & transmission is all good & quiet then I see no reason why it wouldn't be a fine purchase. I'd probably want to offer a bit less due to being written off in the past but if that was 13 years ago and the paint & bodywork are still intact then it's probably more solid than most