Notes on V5 about Vehicle checks

[velocemitch]

My Daughter has just bought a Car and we have found a note on the V5 stating;

'SUBSTANTIALLY REPAIRED AND/OR ACCIDENT DAMAGED, IDENTITY CHECKED ON 22 09 2011'

I understand about the various Categories of write off, but I don't know how these appears on the V5. I've not seen this note before, is this simply stating it had an identity check on that date, or is saying it is on record of having been written off and repaired. Interestingly the date of the check is a few days before the previous change of keeper on the V5, so it's perhaps just a routine check.

Somebody put me at ease here......

[Mroad]

Sounds like it's had a Vehicle Identity Check which means it's had a VIC marker placed on it previously by an insurance company because it's been written off.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-identity-check
An HPI check should have picked it up.

[northandy]

I think that's saying it's cat c/d never seen that on any of our v5's

Did you hpi/buy from a dealer?

[velocemitch]

Yes it certainly appears that way doesn't it.
So if a Car has had and passed a VIC check, how do you know which category of write off it was/is?.

[*Al*]

CAT D's don't appear on the V5, yours will be a CAT C.

[velocemitch]

Ok thanks, I think it's going to go back!

[22Rgt]

It doesnt necessarily mean theres anything wrong with it, ive sold several Cat C and D vehicles and theyve had minimal damage and perfectly ok to go back on the road. Just recently sold a Cat C Ka to a young girl as a first car (her father was in attendance)and pointed this out on the V5 to them. The car was suitably reduced in price but as pointed out to them it was just a door that had written the car off. Its mainly labour costs that write cars off and in many cases nothing to worry about if repaired correctly, it should however be shown at point of sale if from a dealer, this wont apply to a private seller though, this would be your responsibility to have the car suitably checked.

[LooneyTunes]

22Rgt said:

it should however be shown at point of sale if from a dealer

Out of curiosity: "should", "must if asked", or "must always"?