Car was written off category B, but works fine!

[master cool]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 16 April 2020 at 22:31

[master cool]

Krikkit said:

master cool said:

Is there any way of changing a category placed on a vehicle if it is wrong? Seems like such a waste

I had an accident in 2013 and asked the same as it was a cherished vehicle - the answer was no.

Purely out of interest, what kind of market value did they put on it to let you buy it back?

Under £800 and the car was returned!

[master cool]

BuzzBravado said:

Presumably at the time of buying it back your plans were to break it?

Yes the plan was to break it... but the last thing I expected was it would start.

Just seems like a waste now

[master cool]

kambites said:

You might be able to put it through an IVA and get it back on the road on a Q-plate? That way it would essentially become a new car built using second-hand parts.

So it would no longer be classed as a category B?

[master cool]

AndyC_123 said:

Surprised you were able to buy it back unless you are licensed as a vehicle dismantler?

You used to be able to get a cat b back on the road - used to see the odd high performance car listed as such.

As far as I am aware, that loophole has now closed.

I was surprised to, every time I spoke to the insurance It was a slightly different story as to wether or not I needed a license!

I’ve seen there is no legal reason as to why I can’t drive a cat B and that Adrian flux will even insure a cat B vehicle.. however they couldn’t quote on my vehicle!

[master cool]

kambites said:

master cool said:

kambites said:

You might be able to put it through an IVA and get it back on the road on a Q-plate? That way it would essentially become a new car built using second-hand parts.

So it would no longer be classed as a category B?

If it's possible, I think this is correct because it would no longer be the same car. I'm not sure it's legal though, it might fail the IVA simply on the fact that the original body shell was from a cat-B car. I'm sure someone more knowledgable about kit cars than me can answer that question.

Thanks that’s a great help and definitely something to look into as it looks quite promising!

[master cool]

Krikkit said:

Crikey that's brilliant.

I'd probably just sell it - stick it on eBay with a full description and see what you get, I'd be surprised if you get <£10k for it if it's running and driving properly.

[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/hTSbbKpx[/url]

It’s such a shame as it’s such a lovely example to! But it was an absolute steal to retain it!

[master cool]

S100HP said:

Are you sure it's a B, not a D?

As a side, I thought the classification system had changed to S and N?

Personally I'd be shipping it out to our Eastern friends.

Yes definitely a B unfortunately. I was told by insurance it was a B due to water contamination.

I think shipping as is may be the best route to be honest! I’d love to keep it though!

[master cool]

BFleming said:

You can read about the Cat B thing here (DVLA's own information): https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-and-written-off-vehicl...
Category B: Cannot be repaired - Body shell has to be crushed, but you can salvage other parts from it

You also have a legal obligation to tell the DVLA your car has been written off - although I think most insurers will inform the DVLA directly: https://www.gov.uk/written-off-vehicle I find it strange that they've sold the car back to you - and I think it's illegal. The car became their property once you accepted the pay-out. They sold it back to you, although you're not a licenced breaker.

Did you retain the log book this whole time, or has that gone to & fro with the car/settlement? I seem to recall that applying for a new logbook - or attemping to tax the car - will not succeed, and the DVLA will start enforcement action against you. The rules were brought in to stop car cloning (people buying cheap write-offs, stealing a similar car & transferring the identity of the crashed car to it).

I think it comes down to me not actually buying the car back from them and possibly retaining it? The v5 remained with me

[master cool]

Krikkit said:

Yeah that looks fantastic - even the wheels are worth £800! Out of interest what was the water damage?

It sucked up water through the air filter and the car stopped. Small bit of fluid and filter changing, car is running fine

[master cool]

Krikkit said:

BFleming said:

S100HP said:

Are you sure it's a B, not a D?

As a side, I thought the classification system had changed to S and N?

Personally I'd be shipping it out to our Eastern friends.

N and S replaced D and C (N meaning non-structural damage, S meaning structural damage).
A and B remain as they are (A - it has to be crushed in its entirety, B - remove any parts & then crush the shell).

None of the categories are actually bound in law though - if your insurers would let you (there's the rub) you could use a Cat. A...

In this case as long as you can insure it a Cat. B shouldn't pose any issues...

This is something I have read in a few places. I do know Adrian flux will insure CAT B cars.. but they couldn’t quote me on this at the moment.

[master cool]

Can anyone see any benefit in trying to get the insurer to change the category? Or could this open up a can of worms..

[master cool]

deggles said:

Top lurking, OP.

Either the insurance company has monumentally fked up here, or I'm calling custard on the whole thing.

Why would they pay out on the car and then let the salvage go for £800?

I was very confused myself when I heard the price... I had to wait for a category to be assigned and was told the costs would be roughly:

£800 cat B
£4000 Cat S
£7000 Cat N

[master cool]

AndyC_123 said:

Your best option is to export it, as others have mentioned.

If you manage to miraculously get it back on the road, and manage to get it MOT'd when the reg will flag up as something, you'll still struggle to sell it in this country.

Sell it for export, make a tidy £15k profit and progress with your life would be my advice

I think this is gonna be the best option to be honest! Just need to find where to sell it!

[master cool]

vtecyo said:

If you have proof that this was actually the issue and the car is otherwise fine I would be on the phone to the insurance company as there's no way it should be a Cat B. Why were they even involved if that's all it needed?

Edited by vtecyo on Tuesday 21st January 13:22

Car originally didn’t start at the roadside so insurance came and collected it. It’s only once we received it back that we have managed to start it with pretty much a drain, oil and filter change