Cat D written off and declared as scrapped

mark713

Hi
My brother has bought a car off someone I used to work with, everything seemed fine as it had about 2 month tax, just put it through a full MOT and has all documents that related to the car.
The problems started when he signed the V5 (log book) document and it was sent off, first of all the DVLA sent a form through the post asking for details like the vin number, registration number, details of the person we bought the car off amongst other things,this was strange as neither he or I have ever had this done or heard of this happening before but he completed the form and sent it back as requested.
After a short time he recieved a letter through the post saying that the car had been issued with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) by an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
A little late we know but as we bought if off a work colleague who I work with every day I thought I could trust him, anyway decided to get a vehicle check done on the car through a text service and it came back that it was registered as CAT D and was scrapped in August 2009, 7 months before we bought it.
DVLA say that once a CoD has been issued it cannot be revoked and the vehicle records has beed closed down so the car that is sat in my brothers driveway does not exist.
I phoned the previous owner and he said he had the car for around 10 to 12 months and didn't know anything about the problem, I still speak to him with questions and he never dodges me and even offered to take me to the garage where he got it from as he thiks it could be the garage at fault.
I have phoned the DVLA and spoke to a gentleman who said it cannot be registered again I asked if it could be registered on what used to be the old "Q Plates" as a car that has been imported or home made by the owner and he said no, I fought this and asked him why and what I could do to get this car back on the road, he said he would phone me back but never did.

sorry to drone on but thought that if I give as much info as possible may help people to understand the situation.

does anyone know what I can do to get this car back on the road or is it now a garden feature?

Thanks for reading and any advice given.

Exemplar

The DVLA error rate is 30%, fact. If the workmate is not dodging you I assume that this is one of their historical monumental !!!! ups! Follow the trail back through the garage though.

Coveredinbees!!!!

You can repair a cat D and put it back on the road, Cat d just means it's too expensive for the insurance to fix but has no structural damage.

mikey72

If it was a cat D in August 2009, that would have to be when the previous owner got it wouldn't it? Or maybe shortly after?
It would be after the garage had sold it either way, that must have been around May 2009 from the dates above, so it's not likely to be them unless they held the paperwork for a few months. Did the previous owner get his V5 ok?
Maybe DVLA scrapped it instead of doing a change of owner on it.

Hintza

How old is the car? I would be very surprised if a young Cat D was scraped.

More investigation required I think.

cyclonebri1

Your brothers "mate" needs a dose of "lie detector";) before you go anywhere with this.

Is there anyway to check this out through the insurance database? there should be with said mates consent. :beer:

jimbms

Hintza wrote: »

How old is the car? I would be very surprised if a young Cat D was scraped.

More investigation required I think.

Quite the opposite with some of the newer cars, I have just confirmed with she who must be obeyed who is part of our DVLA and a Cat D write off just means the insurance company has deemed it cheaper to pay out than get a repair done, now if you consider that some of the lower end cheaper cars also have a lot of bodywork/integrated equipment etc that would mean that to repair after say an impact that cosmetically damages all one side i.e. a scrape by a wagon, then the cost would be too much as if the car is under warranty then they have to use the manufacturer approved garage, and we all know what they charge, also on an accident such as this they would have to cover their selves by having a full mechanical test in case of any hidden damage which would add at least £2k to the cost, so in conclusion there are a lot of Cat D cars out there that are only Cat D because the repair involved a full new body to make a match.

mark713

Coveredinbees!!!! wrote: »

You can repair a cat D and put it back on the road, Cat d just means it's too expensive for the insurance to fix but has no structural damage.

DVLA wont allow it because a CoD has been issued on the car.

mikey72 wrote: »

Did the previous owner get his V5 ok?
Maybe DVLA scrapped it instead of doing a change of owner on it.

Yes, the previous owner got all paperwork ok, I too have worked out it (whatever it maybe) happened whist the previuos owner had it.

Hintza wrote: »

How old is the car? I would be very surprised if a young Cat D was scraped.

More investigation required I think.

It is on a 52 plate (2002) with 43000 miles.

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Your brothers "mate" needs a dose of "lie detector";) before you go anywhere with this.

Is there anyway to check this out through the insurance database? there should be with said mates consent. :beer:

the previous owner was my colleague, my brother bought the car off him through me.
I will look into the insurance database, he shouldn't have a problem with that thanks.


Thanks for all your help peeps, keep it coming

Hintza

jimbms wrote: »

Quite the opposite with some of the newer cars, I have just confirmed with she who must be obeyed who is part of our DVLA and a Cat D write off just means the insurance company has deemed it cheaper to pay out than get a repair done,

But someone will nearly always be willing to put the time and work sourcing second hand panels etc to bring the car back on the road.

So it would be helpful if we know what age the car is. If it's 10-20 years old then it being scraped is far more likely than on say a 3 year old car.

The OP needs to get a time line on this and as I said before some detective work before he goes in with all guns blazing (esp if they seller was a work mate).

mark713

Hintza wrote: »

it would be helpful if we know what age the car is. If it's 10-20 years old then it being scraped is far more likely than on say a 3 year old car.

Hi the car is just under 8 years old, Rover 25 1.4 (xx52 xxx) 2002, 43000 miles and as far as I can see very road worthy, it is marked on the bonnet as if the sun has bubbled the paint work but this can be fixed for around £50-£75



Update,
I have again been on the phone to the DVLA and my persistance may of paid off, the lady dealing with the situation has sent a letter to the previous owner asking for details, what details I don't know but the fact that it is now being investigated is a better responce than scrap the vehicle.

jimbms

mark713 wrote: »

Hi the car is just under 8 years old, Rover 25 1.4 (xx52 xxx) 2002, 43000 miles and as far as I can see very road worthy, it is marked on the bonnet as if the sun has bubbled the paint work but this can be fixed for around £50-£75



Update,
I have again been on the phone to the DVLA and my persistance may of paid off, the lady dealing with the situation has sent a letter to the previous owner asking for details, what details I don't know but the fact that it is now being investigated is a better responce than scrap the vehicle.

The fact that it is a Rover say a lot due to the company now no longer existing thus genuine parts can be expensive hence how it got a Cat D

As for the DVLA questions I take it the UK DVLA works the same as here in that they send what is called a 14 day notice to the previous owner asking them to release any documents they have on the car, if they hear nothing back after 14 days or the original owner gives them the details then they can issue you a new document in your name. It si worth noting here that legally they are not the last owner but the insurance company is so they have no legal right to withold documentation. as for the CoD then it seems this may escalate but may be ok for you, the DVLA can reregeister the vehicle as it has a certified type approval and its details match that of the wrongly issued CoD, due to it only being a Cat D, but they may also delay in this as there could be a legal case to be issued againt the ones who gave the CoD.