Cat C/D to inspected

[del mar]

Morning,

I have a 550 that I bought directly from the insurer and repaired it. It only needed a gearbox - no panel damage all shut lines are original, it needed no paint, other than rear bumper.

I can get the car inspected, and am confident it will pass, so on the HPI register it would move from whatever category it is to "Cat Inspected".

Do we think it would be worth it ? Would it have any positive effect on its value if I did so ?

It will always be a car with a history I understand that, and if it was a crashed car I wouldn't waste my time, but for the sake of a gearbox it seems a shame for it to be registered with the negative implications.

Thanks

del

[POORCARDEALER]

It may instill a bit more confidence into a buyer but doubtful it would add much/if any value.

[rubystone]

Why would an insurer write off a car for, at most, a £15k gearbox? That's the first question I'd want to ask if I were looking to buy the car from a seller....

[TISPKJ]

As above really, I am potentially interested in buying that car, I don't doubt what you say but now prove to me that all was needed was a gearbox.
I guess it would give some comfort knowing the owner had tried to remove from the register, or would that raise more red flags ?

[del mar]

I will look to have it booked in early next year.

It was stunning piece of luck, I know the previous owner so am fully aware of all discussion between, him the main dealer and the insurer. I have copy e-mails. I even bought a Euro lottery ticket that weekend but alas.....

The well known dealer said "we wont know if there is any engine damage until we fit the gear box" - even with my limited knowledge I know that an engine will run by itself !!! I took a mechanic from Simon Furlonger to go and view the car, he checked it over, looked at the belts, overall condition, and then started it. It ran fine so I bought it, I think if I hadn't he would !

I think the idea of having to spend money on the gearbox before knowing if the engine still worked put the insurer off. They were already into a good 4 figure sum, in having the car dismantled to get the box out and apart to see what the problem was. The previous owner is an insurance broker, so he knows how to get a claim paid !!

The car is not for sale - I keep telling the wife it is an investment......

[mwstewart]

Absolutely. Cat C damage can be considerable whereas Cat D cars rarely have anything significant - most buyers who will entertain purcahsing a recorded car will know that.

[Berlinetta]

mwstewart said:

Absolutely. Cat C damage can be considerable whereas Cat D cars rarely have anything significant - most buyers who will entertain purcahsing a recorded car will know that.

Not to sound confrontational but that is complete rubbish I'm afraid.

It SHOULD be as above, but anyone who does know knows there is often no rhyme or reason for the classification of damaged vehicles. Often the guidelines are seemingly totally disregarded, I have seen some cars that should be B what are D, similarly some D's that should have been C's ect.

I personally see no value in having the vehicle inspected, purely from a buyers point of view it is still a categorised car, hence the reason so few do it. I suspect a buyer would be more incliened to see photos and detailed cost breakdowns for repair including all invoices ect.

Just one fools opinion of course.

[belfry]

I have bought a couple of cat D Porsches in the past. As a buyer of cat d cars, I am more interested in the evidence of the damage and any repair, than what some register says.

As there is usually a 25% discount on the price, these can make cracking cars to drive and enjoy, as opposed to keep as an investment.

[Durzel]

Sadly I'd assume that it would make very little difference to the desirability of it.

As a rule of thumb if you find yourself having to answer questions about provenance, even if what you say is 100% accurate and logical, you're already reducing your available pool of buyers considerably. Some people just won't even entertain the idea of a car with "a marker". There's not a whole lot of logic to it, especially how cars can be repaired without going through insurance, or - I'm sure - avoiding markers being placed somehow, etc.

[rubystone]

I was offered a Cat C Testarossa last year at £40k. I know for a fact that it was written off because of damage to a door. Because the owner insisted on repairs with genuine parts he gave the insurer little option. Ferrari didn't have a door or strakes anywhere, maybe I should have bought it, but I knew it'd be the first to fall in value in the event of a crash.

I see that Harry Metcalfe bought a Cat C Testarossa at auction this year and did wonder whether it was the same car. I think he may have moved it on now.

But provided I knew the provenance of the car and if I were keeping it 'forever' I'd buy a car which had been written off due to a gearbox problem. But I know I'd have a real problem convincing a potential buyer of that fact and I know the trade wouldn't want to take the car onto their books.