Cat D

[MrAndyW]

Just looking at buying a car that is advertised as "Cat D"
Is there any way of finding out what was done to repair it? HPI etc. The present owner bought it repaired.
Just want to know before I potentially go and have a look at it.
Thanks Andy

[TROOPER88]

No

[KM666]

If its not in the history you'll have to play Columbo im afraid, find the previous owner to the one you spoke to, phone bodyshops if 2nd previous owner disclose who did the work, and I dont even know if you can do this or not but phone the 2nd previous owners insurance company to find out what wrote it off. Could just be an expensive bumper that was replaced, I know some volvos and Renaults get written off for expensive bumper replacements.

Is it not hidden away in any of the history/receipts?

You can use this for cars you have the relevent details for, it only shows the MOT but can give extra background on a car without complete documents. https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history-vehicle

Edited by KM666 on Monday 31st December 23:33

[MrAndyW]

That's what I thought, It was just a quick question before I travel, thanks for the replies.
Will have to go and have a look, Its a Honda Civic,so expensive for bits.Hopefully paperwork will show something I can trace should I need to.
Thanks again Andy.

[22rgt B Squadron]

As mentioned above, just a bumper can write some cars off. Have the car checked over and if all looks good buy it. Ive had several Cat D's and to be honest apart from some paintwork its been difficult looking for previous repair work, most probably very minor. Repaired correctly these are usually very good value for money..

[SonicShadow]

IIRC, a full HPI check will tell you the date the vehicle became categorised, which can give you an idea of how bad the damage was. If the car in question was only worth a couple thousand when it was written off, then something as small as a dented panel could well write it off in the insurers eyes. If it was categorised early on in its life when it was worth say, £15,000, then the damage would have been more severe.

[BFG TERRANO]

Some minor prangs that activate air bags can be declared written off.

[scorcher]

BFG TERRANO said:

Some minor prangs that activate air bags can be declared written off.

And some quite substantial damage ( bumper,bonnet,roof,windscreen and pillar etc) can get repaired and will never show up on a cars history ( £4800 Corsa,cost £4700 to repair /£4800 in hire car charges!)

[traffman]

What about her?