Sold a CAT C write off . . .

[Nige_GTI]

I'm after a bit of advice, I recently swapped my car with a Pug 206, with a guy local to me. It was a bit of a rush, I drove the car, flicked through the history and it all appeared fine.

However, whilst cleaning the car today, I noticed a few panel gaps and dull paint. So I came in a did an HPI check (I know Caveat Emptor, should have done this 1st etc), it appears the car has been written off, See below;

Insurance Write-off This registration was recorded as a Category C write-off on 22 Jul 2011.
This registration was recorded as a Category C write-off on 5 Nov 2001.


Vehicle I.D. Check This registration is recorded as having passed a Vehicle Identity Check on 20 Sep 2011.

The last owner change was on 21st september, so from what i can see the car was written off and not VIC checked until 11 years later. So;

1. Do I have any comeback? (I suspect not)
2. Is the car road legal
3. Do I need to tell my insurers, swiftcover. They have the number plate so they should know?

Any advice, avoid the sarcasm please

[sday12]

You swapped a Proton for a 206?

As long as it's got 4 wheels I would consider it a great deal.

[Nige_GTI]

sday12 said:

You swapped a Proton for a 206?

As long as it's got 4 wheels I would consider it a great deal.

Yep, I needed something cheap to run. The Proton was a great car, he gave me £70 as well.

need to ring up my insurers I think

[S2Mike]

You could contact DVLA if worried, to check if this registration was actually on this car, compare chassis numbers. It may be that it was on another vehicle, though if you have found evidence that is not a coincidence. Your insurer should have access to the same information, but best to be up front with them, in case of future events. If it has been inspected officially I would hope all has been repaired to a satisfactory standard, so nothing to worry about. Your only problem will be when you decide to sell if the potential purchaser is aware of the CAT C listing. You may not get the value you want.

[Lunablack]

I've had cat c and cat d cars... I've never declared the status to the insurance company as they've never asked...

In fact the cat c car was involved in another incident, and insurance paid for repairs no problem...... It's cat status never came up..

[R60EST]

Swiftcover don't insure cat c or d cars . Check out their T & C's

From their website


We do not insure certain types of vehicle

If it has been previously written-off or scrapped (including where the vehicle log book identifies that the car has been previously damaged or repaired or an HPI database check identifies the vehicle as Category A, B, C or D write off).
If it is not registered with the DVLA.
If the car is not normally kept in th UK.
If the policyholder or their spouse, civil partner, partner, parent or child is not the registered keeper and legal owner.
If it is a caravan, commercial vehicle, motor home, motor bike, import, kit car, classic car, custom car, limousine or wedding car.
If it is left hand drive.
If it is used for diplomatic, emergency services or military purposes.
If it has a "Q" plate.
If it is used to carry passengers for profit or used for trade, delivery, hire, commercial use or as a pace car.

Edited by R60EST on Saturday 28th January 16:11

[SMcP114]

No, you have no comeback.

Yes, you should inform your insurer.

[vpr]

You need to let your Ins company know.....I was told by my broker that I needed to.

Incidentally does a CAT D or C show on the Log Book??

[daemon]

vpr said:

You need to let your Ins company know.....I was told by my broker that I needed to.

Incidentally does a CAT D or C show on the Log Book??

CAT C does, CAT D doesnt. The log book will show a message about the car having had a VIC test, which means its CAT C

[daemon]

Nige_GTI said:

I'm after a bit of advice, I recently swapped my car with a Pug 206, with a guy local to me. It was a bit of a rush, I drove the car, flicked through the history and it all appeared fine.

However, whilst cleaning the car today, I noticed a few panel gaps and dull paint. So I came in a did an HPI check (I know Caveat Emptor, should have done this 1st etc), it appears the car has been written off, See below;

Insurance Write-off This registration was recorded as a Category C write-off on 22 Jul 2011.
This registration was recorded as a Category C write-off on 5 Nov 2001.


Vehicle I.D. Check This registration is recorded as having passed a Vehicle Identity Check on 20 Sep 2011.

The last owner change was on 21st september, so from what i can see the car was written off and not VIC checked until 11 years later. So;

1. Do I have any comeback? (I suspect not)
2. Is the car road legal
3. Do I need to tell my insurers, swiftcover. They have the number plate so they should know?

Any advice, avoid the sarcasm please

You bought your Proton for £600 and the guy gave you £70 and a road worthy 206, so the 206 stands you £530?

I dont forsee the CAT C status impacting its value too much in this price bracket.

[vpr]

daemon said:

vpr said:

You need to let your Ins company know.....I was told by my broker that I needed to.

Incidentally does a CAT D or C show on the Log Book??

CAT C does, CAT D doesnt. The log book will show a message about the car having had a VIC test, which means its CAT C

OK thanks for that.

I bought what I thought was a CAT D which when I do an HPI states its actually a "C". But there is no mention of anything on the log book.........Very odd

[Nige_GTI]

Looks like I'll just change insurers and keep it.

The car drives straight and true and has new tyres and cambelt.

Typical 1st time I dont check, I buy a write-off, oh well

[s3fella]

I think it has been written off twice?

Still if it drives ok, I would not worry.

If it was that it was written off only once in 2001, I'd not worry. Its made it 11 years!!

[daemon]

Nige_GTI said:

Looks like I'll just change insurers and keep it.

The car drives straight and true and has new tyres and cambelt.

Typical 1st time I dont check, I buy a write-off, oh well

I really wouldnt get too hung up on it.

If the car is otherwise driving great and its doing your job then i wouldnt worry about it.

[Durzel]

I drove a cut & shut Mk3 Astra GTE around during my Uni days for nigh on 3 years, was as reliable as any other car I've owned. Only found out it was two cars welded together when I was in the process of getting a bodykit (I was young!) fitted, the garage owner said it was the best welding he had seen. In retrospect all the signs were there - there were signs of white paint (car was black) in the engine bay, car was 8v model but had 16v dash, etc.

If the car is that cheap already then whatever you stand to lose from the CAT C write-off status is likely to be tiny anyway. Additionally cars can be written off for a variety of reasons, and repaired to varying standards. If the car drives straight I'd be tempted to simply forget about what it says on a bit of paper somewhere to be perfectly honest.

Edited by Durzel on Sunday 29th January 10:23

[OdramaSwimLaden]

Spent £450k on a CAT C Enzo; problem.

Spent £600 on the same, but a French Mini; not so.

As said, insurance will want to know though.

ETA: I had a CAT C Montego Turbo in 1987; best car i've ever had!! 0 - 60 in 7.5 secs in a saloon in 1987 was not bad! Finding these s was indeed a . Tyres: 190/65 HR 365 TD

Edited by OdramaSwimLaden on Sunday 29th January 10:42

[maniac0796]

Durzel said:

I drove a cut & shut Mk3 Astra GTE around during my Uni days for nigh on 3 years, was as reliable as any other car I've owned. Only found out it was two cars welded together when I was in the process of getting a bodykit (I was young!) fitted, the garage owner said it was the best welding he had seen.

If the car is that cheap already then whatever you stand to lose from the CAT C write-off status is likely to be tiny anyway. Additionally cars can be written off for a variety of reasons, and repaired to varying standards. If the car drives straight I'd be tempted to simply forget about what it says on a bit of paper somewhere to be perfectly honest.

This. If you're at that end of the market, I wouldn't worry about it too much, as long as understand why and where it was repaired. The main problem here I guess is the mishonesty of the seller.

Anyway, all a VIC check does is make sure all the VIN numbers on the car match up. Essentially to stop cut and shuts like mentioned above and make sure it's not made of bits from CAT A/B or stolen cars.

But for a 12 year old 206 or whatever, chances are someone reversing it into a bollard would be enough for insurance to claim a Cat C write off. New boot lid, bumper and a bit of hammering out the boot floor gets it good enough for the road.

[blearyeyedboy]

maniac0796 said:

The main problem here I guess is the mishonesty of the seller.

If he knew. He may have not known, in fairness. Not everyone has the nouse to HPI it... (Sorry OP, not meant to be a dig!)

Edited by blearyeyedboy on Sunday 29th January 10:39