Unsure about a Category S car
Discussion
Looking at 15 year old convertible that's recorded as Cat S.
According to the owner it's JUST a small dent in the front of the bonnet and a scraped front bumper that needs paint.
Without paying for a check on it at this stage, does that sound remotely right?
I thought S had to be structural or am I missing something?
According to the owner it's JUST a small dent in the front of the bonnet and a scraped front bumper that needs paint.
Without paying for a check on it at this stage, does that sound remotely right?
I thought S had to be structural or am I missing something?
t, he obviously wants rid of it so will say what he needs to try and sell it. I’d make a ridiculous low ball offer and then probably walk away. Krikkit said:
If they haven't got pictures then I'd walk away - chances are it's just a minor nudge that needed a bumper or something, but you can't know for sure.
If it's category S there has been structural damage. Even if they have pictures I wouldn't accept them. There's cars being bought from salvage yards and the buyer straightens out the damage in an attempt to cover how badly damaged the car is. It's then sold on for stronger money.
The briefest of googles tells you that cat s is structural damage.
Couple of links for you.
www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/what-s-a-categ...
www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/used-cars/621/what-is-a-cat...
The second one gives a list of what the ABI deem 'structure'.
The list does not include the bonnet.
Or bumper.
Couple of links for you.
www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/what-s-a-categ...
www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/used-cars/621/what-is-a-cat...
The second one gives a list of what the ABI deem 'structure'.
The list does not include the bonnet.
Or bumper.
If it is Cat S it's fairly recent damage which may not be too serious TBF.
A relative of mine had an incident a few years ago in a BMW E46 and the insurer using the name of a high-ranking naval officer with a statue that deserves bird-sh*t decided it was a Cat S based on photos from a phone - they didn't even bother to send anyone to look at it.
Cat N would have been fair enough, but said relative couldn't afford a long drawn out argument so accepted their "assessment".
Used bonnet for £98 delivered and new wing from Ebay plus one for the other side because it was crusty, front end respray to deal with stone chips and a few quid left over!
If you can get some photos of the actual damage it may not be a disaster, unless you don't expect to keep it too long.
A relative of mine had an incident a few years ago in a BMW E46 and the insurer using the name of a high-ranking naval officer with a statue that deserves bird-sh*t decided it was a Cat S based on photos from a phone - they didn't even bother to send anyone to look at it.
Cat N would have been fair enough, but said relative couldn't afford a long drawn out argument so accepted their "assessment".
Used bonnet for £98 delivered and new wing from Ebay plus one for the other side because it was crusty, front end respray to deal with stone chips and a few quid left over!
If you can get some photos of the actual damage it may not be a disaster, unless you don't expect to keep it too long.
I suspect Cat S / N is actually based on % of damage to the car I believe rather than if there is "structural" damage, also what is structural when it comes to insurance?
I'm no expert but I've seen 15 year old cars with a broken headlight bracket classed as a Cat S , then again also seen some very bad cars which should be Cat B as a cat N so swings and roundabouts
Perfectly acceptable that a car has Cat S marker especially an old one but the damage is minor
I'm no expert but I've seen 15 year old cars with a broken headlight bracket classed as a Cat S , then again also seen some very bad cars which should be Cat B as a cat N so swings and roundabouts
Perfectly acceptable that a car has Cat S marker especially an old one but the damage is minor
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