Cat c ?

[turk1]

Hi guys just would like to pick your brains as I have no experience in mx5's,

My nephew has got a 2001 mk2.5 that he has owned from new it's got about 120k on the clock light metallic blue with leather interior, looks quite tidy from what I can see but someone hit the car in the rear and the insurance company has written the car off and offered him 3 choices, they can pay him out and take the car , they will pay him less and let him repair the car and it won't get written off, or they will pay him out a little less and he can keep the car but it will be recorded as a cat c because they paid out nearly the full market value,

Now the thing is the car still drives as normal (he is still driving the car at the moment until he finds a new car) and the only damage I can see is a cracked bumper, I am thinking of buying it off him as he has no interest in keeping it,and selling it on as it is, and as a cat c, and who ever buys it can see the damage that was done to the car is very minor,

Do you think I would be able to sell it easy and how much do you think it would be worth as it is ? sorry I have no pictures of the car, but all you would see anyway is a cracked bumper.

[BAS231187]

I got a Cat C Mx5 a few months back now. 1998 Mk2 with 70k on the clock
As you have found, it is quite easy to Cat C an Mx5 and doesn't really mean there is excessive damage. When I got the car HPI Checked they estimated the cars value as £2000 in good condition. they recommended 25% off for Cat C assuming the car has been fully repaired and is in a condition that is to be expected for its age.

Now my budget was very tight so I was happy to go with the Cat C car and accept the risk/reward. For me it has paid off, the car is great and I paid less than £1000 for it. however a lot of people arnt willing to take the risk or think that Cat C means heavy damage. Also you could claim that the bumper is the only damage but it would be difficult to prove as Cat C is "Repairs cost close to the value of the car or above".

With High mileage and being Cat C, I think you might find it difficult to sell. however if its rust free and in good condition (except the bumper) you might find a bargain hunter like me to take it off you.

[BAS231187]

As for Price. I paid £950 for a rust free Cat C that had been repaired and re-sprayed (a bit rough around the edges but good enough) with 70k on the clock

The garage where I got the car currently has 3 more, all Cat C (all have 1 or 2 panels that need replacing) for between £550 and £750 unrepaired (unsure of mileage)

[MX-5 Lazza]

I thought the most difficult thing about Cat C cats was insurance renewal costs...

[wilbo83]

BAS231187 said:

As for Price. I paid £950 for a rust free Cat C that had been repaired and re-sprayed (a bit rough around the edges but good enough) with 70k on the clock

The garage where I got the car currently has 3 more, all Cat C (all have 1 or 2 panels that need replacing) for between £550 and £750 unrepaired (unsure of mileage)

Any links to the garage?

[rotarymazda]

turk1 said:

they can pay him out and take the car , they will pay him less and let him repair the car and it won't get written off, or they will pay him out a little less and he can keep the car but it will be recorded as a cat c because they paid out nearly the full market value,

Doesn't sound right to me. The insurance company should record it as a cat C in all those cases.

You can get the car inspected after repair and get the cat C alert removed (http://www.autoligninspections.co.uk/)

According to an insurance/legal expert that dealt with my cars, you do not have to declare the cat status to your insurer unless asked (They have access the HPI database ). If you claim, it will be worth less though.

[BAS231187]

Here is the garage where i got my car. great guys and some great bargains.

http://www.phsportscars.co.uk/
Near Derby

Rotary mazda's advice matches my own "According to an insurance/legal expert that dealt with my cars, you do not have to declare the cat status to your insurer unless asked (They have access the HPI database ). If you claim, it will be worth less though"

I declared it to my insurer as i was really nervous about having an accident and be called out on it. They didnt ask about it so i told them and they said it didnt make a difference as long as the value of the car reflected this. Apparently it differs between insurers but there are plenty that dont mind.

[turk1]

Thanks for your replies so far, I am still not sure what to do with buying the car but if I do I was looking at selling it for about £900 as it is, I might contact someone in the trade that deal with mx5 parts and sales and see what they offer.