Would you buy a Cat S with this much damage?

[Mr Pointy]

It's just under a year old, done about 3500 miles & priced around £7-8k under dealer price for an unbent one. How would you go about getting the repair inspected?

[The Road Crew]

Depends how much work you can do yourself. If you have to pay labour to fix it all then it might not be as cost effective. Same for parts, if you can find used parts then you'll make big savings vs brand new.

It might need a pull on that sides chassis leg. Needs stripping down to quantify the extent of the damage.

Any estimate dine before it's stripped is exactly that, just an estimate (guess!)

It wouldn't put me off but do your sums. Not forgetting the fixed car will always be worth less on resale (presuming it's been recorded on the database)

[Mr Pointy]

Sorry, I should have been clearer: It's up for sale at an independent dealer having been repaired - these are what it looked like before the repair. I've no experience of buying repaired vehicles so I don't know if this is marginal to get back on the road or usual for a Cat S.

[craigjm]

Cat S cars just mean it’s had structural damage. The level of the damage can vary considerably from car to car

[Scobblelotcher]

I would want to know who repaired it and ideally have pictures/parts lists etc given that amount of damage, otherwise how do you know it's going to be safe in an accident? I've known over the years of lots of people who have repaired cars on the cheap but when looking at the car it looks immaculate and passes MOT's without issue, however in a serious accident I doubt some of them would be safe.

Also, finally trade in values for CAT cars always seem to be awful although privately you maybe to sell for a little more even if it's below market value.

[Mr Pointy]

Scobblelotcher said:

I would want to know who repaired it and ideally have pictures/parts lists etc given that amount of damage, otherwise how do you know it's going to be safe in an accident? I've known over the years of lots of people who have repaired cars on the cheap but when looking at the car it looks immaculate and passes MOT's without issue, however in a serious accident I doubt some of them would be safe.

Also, finally trade in values for CAT cars always seem to be awful although privately you maybe to sell for a little more even if it's below market value.

This is my concern, hence asking how I'd go about getting it inspected. I'm not very concerned about resale value as I tend to keep my cars for quite a long time; currently I'm driving a 1999 Mondeo (with obligatory tape on the back bumper of course).

[Scobblelotcher]

Mr Pointy said:

Scobblelotcher said:

I would want to know who repaired it and ideally have pictures/parts lists etc given that amount of damage, otherwise how do you know it's going to be safe in an accident? I've known over the years of lots of people who have repaired cars on the cheap but when looking at the car it looks immaculate and passes MOT's without issue, however in a serious accident I doubt some of them would be safe.

Also, finally trade in values for CAT cars always seem to be awful although privately you maybe to sell for a little more even if it's below market value.

This is my concern, hence asking how I'd go about getting it inspected. I'm not very concerned about resale value as I tend to keep my cars for quite a long time; currently I'm driving a 1999 Mondeo (with obligatory tape on the back bumper of course).

I'm sure someone who knows a lot more about engineering than me (not too difficult really) will come along however for me, there's just too much that can hide in that level of damage and the time not to find out if when you're involved in a serious accident.

You can get independent engineer inspections like this one: https://www.dekra-uk.co.uk/en/engineer-s-report/

I tend to take the approach that if something is compromised in some way it should be replaced. I never have tires repaired for instance, I just replace them if there is some level of damage and if I drop my motorbike helmet from any reasonable height I will replace.

Edited by Scobblelotcher on Saturday 7th August 16:53

[nobrakes]

There’s not a margin of £7 to £8k in it though as the repaired one will be worth less than an unbent one.

[nobrakes]

You’ve a 99 mondeo?

I’d just get another to the value of what you were thinking of throwing into that CAT S minger.

[HustleRussell]

CAT recorded cats are never cheap enough IMO, not worth it.

[nobrakes]

These are before and after pics.

1st one shows how much was going on at the base of the near side window frame and pillar.

The chances of there being no damage to the corner of the bulkhead underneath where the wing has been concertinas into the door are slim.

[The Road Crew]

Mr Pointy said:

Sorry, I should have been clearer: It's up for sale at an independent dealer having been repaired - these are what it looked like before the repair. I've no experience of buying repaired vehicles so I don't know if this is marginal to get back on the road or usual for a Cat S.

In that case, personally I wouldn't touch it. You don't what's been done with regards to the legs etc, or not done properly.

I'd only buy (and let my family travel in) something I know had been done properly. If I'd done it myself or it came with lots of detailed photos showing what had been repaired/replaced/welded etc then I'd have it.

To much of a risk for me, YMMV.

[Jasandjules]

Mr Pointy said:

This is my concern, hence asking how I'd go about getting it inspected. I'm not very concerned about resale value as I tend to keep my cars for quite a long time; currently I'm driving a 1999 Mondeo (with obligatory tape on the back bumper of course).

Who repaired it?

[Trevor555]

Mr Pointy said:

It's just under a year old, done about 3500 miles & priced around £7-8k under dealer price for an unbent one. How would you go about getting the repair inspected?

I'd book it in to a bodyshop to have a good look at it.

Then get someone to take it up to 70mph and try the brakes, hard.

You don't want to find out it's bent somewhere when you actually need to hit the brakes at 70mph.

[Driver101]

HustleRussell said:

CAT recorded cats are never cheap enough IMO, not worth it.

The gap between write offs and straight cars is far too close these days. £7-8k is a lot more than normal, but I still wouldn't buy a car that has suffered structural damage.

It'll be hard to sell on and that £7-8k saving will have to be passed on to the next buyer.

Edited by Driver101 on Saturday 7th August 17:29

[Mr Tidy]

I wouldn't buy a Cat S car less than a year old with damage like that unless it was cheap as chips!

Up the budget for a straight one, or lower expectations.

I have bought Cat cars in the past and still might, but probably not that one.

[HustleRussell]

Driver101 said:

HustleRussell said:

CAT recorded cats are never cheap enough IMO, not worth it.

The gap between write offs and straight cars is far too close these days. £7-8k is a lot more than normal, but I still wouldn't buy a car that has suffered structural damage.

It'll be hard to sell on and that £7-8k saving will have to be passed on to the next buyer.

Yep the resale is one thing.

A little known and popularly ignored fact about cars which have been declared write-offs is that you are obliged to tell the insurance company when you insure it- and guess what? It loads the premium.

Mr Pointy said:

tend to keep my cars for quite a long time

All the more reason not to buy a car that’s been subjected to this

Mr Pointy said:

Edited by HustleRussell on Sunday 8th August 06:46

[steveo3002]

wouldnt want it unless it was pennys , you can bet theres dozens of broken /missing /glued fixings , paint will peel off where its been done on the cheap