Category B. Good news!!

philip43

hellofreebies wrote: »

ok another factor to consider is if you were to have a non fault accident in a cat b repaired car there is a chance that the 3rd parties insurance might be adamant about not paying out as the abi code suggests cat b are not to be allowed on the road accept parts can be resold and body crushed etc,, anyone had this experience or qualified to confirm what would happen...

If the 3rd parties insurance accept that it was their client who was responsible for the accident, how could they then blame you for the accident? My legal team would love that!!

Besides, if the car is roadworthy and legal, that is all that matters.

Let me put it this way, if someone drives into you, and your car had been previously written off as category C, would you expect the third parties insurance to pay?

The ABI code suggests that a Category B should not be returned to the road, but you have to bear in mind that the ABI are not the legislators.

There is NO law that says a Category B car cannot be returned to road use. The DVLA ( who are basically the legislators) say quite clearly that a Category B car must pass a Vehicle Identity Check, (VIC) before being returned to road use.

Some insurers won`t take on a Category B write off, but some do.

I have received several quotations from those that do.

I hope this answers your question.

hellofreebies

how did your quotes do? was it a standard premium rate and did they confirm what they would pay if you write it off?

another question...it states only breakers or licensed ELV can purchase cat b...would it be illegal for me to move the vehicle on but obviously disclosing the status?

gosh it such a minefield of question marks when you have a cat b and given the choice i really dont think its worth the hassle...

philip43

***UPDATE***
My car was presented for a Vehicle Identity Check on the 2nd September, 2010. It failed because the stamped in VIN was defaced. This is what the insurance company does to the car when it is listed as a Category 'B'. The reason for them doing this is to prevent someone from stealing a car, and then taking the identity of the Category 'B' car, and putting it on the stolen one. I also believe that they do this to try to ensure that no-one else can gain a benefit from something on which they have made a loss, but that is only my opinion.

Anyway, I appealed the VIC failure, and the car was re-presented for inspection on the 2nd November 2010. This inspection involves a much deeper check on the vehicle, and includes tests carried out by a forensics officer from the police. The test took 1hr 50 mins. To cut a long story short, the forensics officer was happy to confirm that my car is the vehicle it is purporting to be, but the engine number does not match that which the car was issued with. Investigations will be carried out as to why the engine number does not match, and hopefully, I will be given the all clear in a couple of days, at which point I will be able to apply for a new V5(C), and go through the process of MOT, and taxing the car. It will then be returned to the road on it's original VRM.:j

N.B. Even the forensics officer agreed with me that the car should never have been a Category 'B'!!

Hintza

Would have been quicker and easier exporting it and re-importing it.

philip43

This information comes from an HPI check company. Please read very carefully, as it explains the categories, and why they are so categorised, and it also explains what can and cannot be done with a vehicle in each category.

Write-off Information

Condition Data Check

We check if the vehicle has been recorded as written-off or a total loss by an insurance company due to a damage or theft-related insurance claim. A damage-related insurance claim means the insurer has decided that the vehicle is uneconomical to repair. You should only proceed with the purchase once you are satisfied that the repairs have been carried out to a high standard and that the vehicle is roadworthy.

A theft-related insurance claim indicates that the vehicle has been stolen and an insurance company has paid out a claim on it and has become the legal owner. It may have been recovered in tact and returned to the road, or in a damaged condition.

Categories Of Write-Off
An explanation of the categories of write-off are listed below:

Category A. A vehicle which should have been totally crushed, including all its spare parts.

Category B. A vehicle from which spare parts may be salvaged, but the bodyshell should have been crushed and the vehicle should never return to the road.

Category C. An extensively damaged vehicle which the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could be repaired and returned to the road.

Category D. A damaged vehicle which the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could be repaired and returned to the road.

Category F. A vehicle damaged by fire, which the insurer has decided not to repair.

Theft These vehicles have not been recovered and ownership rests with the insurer who made the total loss payment. They are able to repossess the vehicle as soon as it is identified, even if it has been bought innocently.

(edit) This next paragraph is VERY important.

***Vehicles categorised as A, B or C require a VIC test before the DVLA will issue a new registration document. This will then be noted on the V5C. See www.direct.gov.uk for more information on VIC testing.***


Should I Buy A Written-Off Vehicle?
Before you buy a written-off vehicle you should consider the following:

• Tell your insurance company about it - if you don't they may refuse a claim. It is unlikely to affect the premium you pay, but it may reduce the amount paid out in the event of a claim.

• Have a mechanical inspection carried out to ensure it has been repaired to a high standard - an MOT certificate is not sufficient.

• The market value will have been reduced considerably by the write-off - don't pay full price for it.

• You may have some difficulty selling the vehicle in the future. Dealers often won't accept them in part exchange and the market for it will be limited. A potential buyer will also have the same concerns in the future as you do now.

I hope this helps.

BTW, I have just noticed that the Category 'D' note reads, "
Category D. A damaged vehicle which the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could be repaired and returned to the road."

I believe this is incorrect, and should read that the 'vehicle is repaired and returned to road use'.

philip43

Hintza wrote: »

Would have been quicker and easier exporting it and re-importing it.

I'm not sure what good that would do. It would still have to go through a VIC!
Do you understand what this topic is about?

philip43

scotsman4th wrote: »

Is he a Celtic fan?

To him, everybody plays in green!!! LMAO!!

MrRedundant

So OP how much have you wasted so far on this? I bet the car won't be allowed back on the road and you have spent a fortune chasing a small technicality in the wording.

Hintza

philip43 wrote: »

Do you understand what this topic is about?

Erm yes I think I do. Since I have bought a number of write-offs and brought them back onto the road (albeit all Cat D).

philip43 wrote: »

I'm not sure what good that would do. It would still have to go through a VIC!

It's amazing what the boys in the old eastern bloc countries can do to change the identity of a vehicle.

My point being we have gone from July to November and the car is still not on the road.

philip43

MrRedundant wrote: »

So OP how much have you wasted so far on this? I bet the car won't be allowed back on the road and you have spent a fortune chasing a small technicality in the wording.

The car will be allowed back on the road, and a small technicality? What you on about?? lol!!