Does category N write off show on the V5?
Discussion
I should be looking at a car tomorrow, private seller eBay auction. No mention of it being written off, but I did a history check and it says it was cat N a couple of years ago. It changed hands a couple of times before the current owner.
I am trying to figure out if they could be unaware, could be aware and hope the buyer doesn't check, or could have just failed to mention it but they assume a buyer will know / find out.
I am trying to figure out if they could be unaware, could be aware and hope the buyer doesn't check, or could have just failed to mention it but they assume a buyer will know / find out.
Thanks I tried Vcheck, unfortunately they didn't find a salvage listing so no pictures. I don't think total car check does the same salvage check.
It did however give me the date of entry for the cat N being nearly a year after the loss and after current owner took it.
Not sure what to make of that, seems like it could make it very likely the current owner is unaware I am going to see it later, I am still very suspicious won't be taking cash or valuables.
It did however give me the date of entry for the cat N being nearly a year after the loss and after current owner took it.
Not sure what to make of that, seems like it could make it very likely the current owner is unaware I am going to see it later, I am still very suspicious won't be taking cash or valuables.
e-honda said:
Thanks I tried Vcheck, unfortunately they didn't find a salvage listing so no pictures. I don't think total car check does the same salvage check.
It did however give me the date of entry for the cat N being nearly a year after the loss and after current owner took it.
Not sure what to make of that, seems like it could make it very likely the current owner is unaware I am going to see it later, I am still very suspicious won't be taking cash or valuables.
Why would you even bother? If there is a Cat moniker on it, whether the owner knew it or not, you’ll have to deal with it when you come to sell. If the owner didn’t know about it It’s likely that the selling price hasn’t factored in the CAT N. Hint, it should be cheaper - 30/40% cheaper. If you’re paying market value for a CAT N car, you’ll get bitten at sometime in the future.It did however give me the date of entry for the cat N being nearly a year after the loss and after current owner took it.
Not sure what to make of that, seems like it could make it very likely the current owner is unaware I am going to see it later, I am still very suspicious won't be taking cash or valuables.
If the price is cheaper than a non CAT car and you’re happy with it, fill yer boots. Excuses will just be a waste of time.
Edited by maz8062 on Saturday 5th November 08:00
Edited by maz8062 on Saturday 5th November 08:01
W201_190e said:
I don’t believe Cat N needs to be disclosed when selling.
Ethically, if you know you should always disclose it...In theory (IIRC!! Happy to be corrected) a private seller could fail to disclose and plausibly claim not to know - a trader wouldn't get away with that.
Either way - in this case the prospective buyer (OP) clearly does know, so unless they're happy to buy it AND it's priced accordingly (cheaper) then I wouldn't be too worried...
If it's priced as if the Cat N marker wasn't there, you could try telling the seller but there's no saying they'll reduce the price to an appropriate level even then - they may or may not already know, but you'd want to be careful that you're not appearing to be trying to get one over them (which rightly or wrongly some clueless sellers will feel like you are!).
I wouldn't buy any Cat write-off without having an independent inspection done unless you're very confident of your ability to spot problems.
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