Written off car on eBay...

[HustleRussell]

...and it isn't honestly listed. Should I report it or mind my own business?

[triumphkryten]

How do you know? Was it yours?

[HustleRussell]

Nearly bought it off Gumtree before it went on eBay, but an HPI check revealed it was a CAT 'D'. Want to save others from buying a lemon.

[Big Rod]

If it's been repaired properly there's nothing to worry about.

Bit naughty not to declare it though!

[PainTrain]

Is it a legal requirement to say if it is a cat D when selling? If anyone is looking to buy and bothered about it being a cat D I would assume they would get a HPI check on it like you did? Buyer beware for private sales and all that.

Is it an old car?

[HustleRussell]

PainTrain said:

Is it a legal requirement to say if it is a cat D when selling?

This is kind of what I'm asking

PainTrain said:

Is it an old car?

Yes it's seventeen years old. It's a Cat 'C' which is worse than a 'D', but then again it was written off in August 2010 so it would've been worth very little at the time of the accident and therefore the extent of the damage was probably quite light. What bothers me more is that the seller told me a bare faced lie and not declaring the damage seems deceptive.

[iva cosworth]

A link to the ad is verboten

So how about telling us what car it is and we can search for it

[HustleRussell]

iva cosworth said:

how about telling us what car it is and we can search for it

Silver E34 525tds touring in Cambridge

[iva cosworth]

HustleRussell said:

iva cosworth said:

how about telling us what car it is and we can search for it

Silver E34 525tds touring in Cambridge

128,000 miles ?

[HustleRussell]

Funnily enough, yes it has...

[Sir Bagalot]

Seller doesn't have to declare it.

He knows it's a write off so when asked the question "Has it had accident damage?" then they should answer correctly. Anything less then he's a .

[iva cosworth]

Sir Bagalot said:

Seller doesn't have to declare it.

Buyer beware

As above if the successful bidder doesn't HPI it then it's their problem

as long as the seller doesn't lie if asked

[SMcP114]

iva cosworth said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Seller doesn't have to declare it.

Buyer beware

As above if the successful bidder doesn't HPI it then it's their problem

as long as the seller doesn't lie if asked

And even if he does, it makes no difference.

[tbc]

if it's listed as cat D and is cheap as chips then not too bad

[GC8]

SMcP114 said:

iva cosworth said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Seller doesn't have to declare it.

Buyer beware

As above if the successful bidder doesn't HPI it then it's their problem

as long as the seller doesn't lie if asked

And even if he does, it makes no difference.

Not really true. You cant misrepresent a car.

[SMcP114]

GC8 said:

SMcP114 said:

iva cosworth said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Seller doesn't have to declare it.

Buyer beware

As above if the successful bidder doesn't HPI it then it's their problem

as long as the seller doesn't lie if asked

And even if he does, it makes no difference.

Not really true. You cant misrepresent a car.

Try proving it. I've been on both sides of the fence on this subject. The law regarding the misrepresentation of cars is misleading, giving the buyer a false hope of some comeback when realistically there is none.

[johnpeat]

It's NOT a legal requirement to declare a car as having a Category/Write-off history.

A dealer must disclose whether they've checked the car and what the result was IF YOU ASK - most will also show the paperwork to prove it(*)

A private seller should certainly tell you if you ask - but the whole issue of what amounts to fair and reasonable description of a car is a bit of a minefield so if in any doubt, always check private sales as you really have no comeback once you've paid your money.

(*) it's always possible a car will get a Category after they check it - if that happens, you may still have grounds for recompense from the dealer if you act quickly on discovering this.

[johnpeat]

HustleRussell said:

It's a Cat 'C' which is worse than a 'D',

This just isn't true.

Cat C and Cat D are used differently by different insurers - they mean nothing in themselves.

I've seen Cat Cs which have a cracked light lens and Cat Ds which are several feet shorter than they should be - never read anything in the 'C' and 'D' thing.

[SMcP114]

johnpeat said:

HustleRussell said:

It's a Cat 'C' which is worse than a 'D',

This just isn't true.

Cat C and Cat D are used differently by different insurers - they mean nothing in themselves.

I've seen Cat Cs which have a cracked light lens and Cat Ds which are several feet shorter than they should be - never read anything in the 'C' and 'D' thing.

Spot on. You always hear that 'Cat D is nothing', which just isn't the case. It all comes down to the value of the car, and the cost of the parts required to fix it.

You can have a Cat C needing a headlight and a Cat D needing a rear quarter.

[GC8]

SMcP114 said:

GC8 said:

SMcP114 said:

iva cosworth said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Seller doesn't have to declare it.

Buyer beware

As above if the successful bidder doesn't HPI it then it's their problem

as long as the seller doesn't lie if asked

And even if he does, it makes no difference.

Not really true. You can misrepresent a car.

Try proving it. I've been on both sides of the fence on this subject. The law regarding the misrepresentation of cars is misleading, giving the buyer a false hope of some comeback when realistically there is none.

I will certainly accept that.