V-cars....a no go??

[321fallen]

I dunno whether to go for this car or not, its a V-car. I am going to ring up about what Cat it is...but are they no goes? I aim to be keeping this car for some time so its value isn't that much of importance to me...does having a V-car make your insurance higher? Or is it as simple as they wont pay out as much for the car as its already been claimed for at its full value. 55reg, 38k miles, 1.4 black astra £2495. I aim to get it down to £2000-2250.

[kambites]

I've never known it have any effect on insurance cost, but obviously the value of the car will be lower and in the result of a total loss, they'd pay out less for it. One would hope that you'd pay less for it in the first place, though.

Ultimately, like any car, it's worth whatever someone will pay for it. I'd like to know why it was written off, at least.

[321fallen]

Ill give them a call on Monday and see what they say, ill ask several questions. I dont mind paying less for a listed car but was a bit wary of it.

[redgriff500]

Having owned a few in my time I'd tend to avoid.

Everyone tells you it was just paintwork or a bumper and it's true that can happen but IME it usually means there are lots of bodges.

If it was many years ago and hasn't had many owners it might be ok.

But anything with 10 owners in 5 yrs - run away.

[madmover]

Ive never heard of it effecting insurance, obviously it will have an effect on the cars value. Insurers will normally just offer market value anyways or so they say! What i would suggest it looking very closely into the repair, who carried it out and possibly getting an inspection carried out by and expert if your seriously thinking about committing to buying. you could put a deposit on the Terms that you have an inspection done and if you are happy with the result or subject to a second opinion... Personally id avoid like the plauge but someone has to buy them and im sure there is some good deals to be had i just dont like the amount of risk attatched with such cars....4 months down the line i cant help but think i may regret not spending the extra to get a decent example when im making a trip to the garage to get a load of parts to fix the bodge work of the previous person. But like i say depends who repaired it, only ever as good as the man that did the job!

[magpie21]

As has been said, depends how the repair has been done.

I bought a cat D myself and arranged for the repairs to be done http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1057167&mid=136138If its been done to a good standard there should be documentation to show the standard of repair. I kept a journal so that IF I sell it in the future any prospective buyer can see the quality of work done and that no corners were cut.

[va1o]

If you have pictures of the accident damage and are satisfied the repair was carried out to the manufacturers standards then it might be OK, but it will always be hard to sell on and you may have issues getting it insured. I personally wouldn't.