Category C 'Write-off'

[catso]

A mate of mine recently crashed his bike and is now looking at buying it back as a Cat C Write-off.

Apparently this is when it can be repaired and used on the road again but was deemed uneconomical for a dealer to do.

Anyway he has been told that if he buys it and repairs it he will need to have it inspected before he can re-use it on the road and it will always be listed as a 'Cat C repaired'.

Does anyone know how complicated this testing is, does it cost and in short is it worth doing,? seeing that the bike would probably be difficult to sell on due to it's 'record'.

Other options include making a track bike or selling the parts.

:beer:

[Mad Dave]

Who told him about the inspection? The reason I ask is that when I crashed my bike, the insurance told me that as the bike always remains my property, they don't technically write it off, they just decide not to repair it and pay you - so its HPI clear.

[catso]

AFAIK the Insurance company have told him this.

[Incorrigible]

Mad Dave said:

Who told him about the inspection? The reason I ask is that when I crashed my bike, the insurance told me that as the bike always remains my property, they don't technically write it off, they just decide not to repair it and pay you - so its HPI clear.

Not necessarily, if it's deemed a write off (unecconomical to repair) the insurance will pay out and the bike then becomes theirs

It's up to them who they sell it too

[Mad Dave]

You are quite correct, though this particular insurance company told me that the bike "always remains your property - we will not take it away".

Other companies may have different policies though.

[vitesse39]

Until you sign a cheque receipt saying that you accept a sum of money "in full and final settlement" of the claim, the bike is still your property. All companies are tied by this.

The only thing to do is if you do want to buy the salvage and repair, is check they will re-insure (or someone else will). The test will as far as I am aware only be an normal MOT (from my experience anyway).

Yep, the history will follow the bike, it will be on the national database.
When selling it on, depending on how you want to play it, I don't think you have to advertise the fact (moral dilema!), but if a buyer asked, you would have to admit it or you may be done for false representation or whatever they want to call it.

If you made a good job of the repair and documented exactly what has been done (and had proof that the frame is straight etc), I reckon you could still sell for the normal value as the bike is still as good a bike. It may take a bit longer to sell and a few more viewings but possibly worth it in the end. All depends on how much it all costs.

Best of luck anyway, I made £700 on buying back my BMW but have just kept it. Any more info just mail me.