buying a cat d car is it worth it?

ella_chambers

ive been car shopping and come a cross a 8 month on renault megane coupe and i completed a hpi check and its VRM recorded by an insurance company as a total loss. the car is practically brand new and it doesnt seem to have any damage. the seller made me aware it had been stolen previously and the insurance payed out and the car was recover later. its immaculate but i dont know how it will effect me if i decide to purchase this car £6500. does this mean the warranty is still valid and ill have to mot each year ?? i havnt really got a clue. what shall i do?

cc25

You did well to do a HPI check. I would keep clear of cars showing 'previously written off', as too potentially risky for someone in your position. Yes, the saving looks attractive on a written off car, but the car will not be worth as much when you want to sell it, or trade it in for another. There may be hidden damage not repaired properly, or not declared by the seller.

You will have a big choice of good cars for £6500. I would buy from a long established car dealer, with a good reputation for after sales service.

Hintza

Personally I wouldn't buy anything else these days. But I do buy them direct from the salvage yard so I have the ability to QC the repairs and I don't normally sell in a hurry.

If you plan on keeping te Megane for a number of years then it might be worth a punt but if you change your cars frequently then it might pay to be slightly more wary.

Ranger8

I`ve bought a few Cat d repaired motors, (the last being a 58 plate 6mth old 2k miles diesel Astra @£6k for the wife) and they`ve all been trouble free.
The Astra wasn`t perfect ie needed a rad, air bag etc but still a bargain.
The warranty will not cover anything that they can even remotely associate with the repairs/damage and as already mentioned the price you will get for the car when you sell will be less.

boyse7en

I've got a Cat D, but I wasn't spending that sort of money. I think they can be a good buy for a car that you will use and eventually scrap/get rid of cheap, but if you are planning to trade it in after a year or so, you will come up against opposition from potential buyers.

jimbo_the_jetset

I agree with the above posts and to summarise :

a) often there is nothing wrong with a CAT D car but you should carefully check it over / consider an RAC/AA inspection which are only a fraction of the purchase cost. If stolen check how many keys there are, damage to ignition, interior etc etc

b) check you can insure the car. Some insurers will not cover CAT D cars (e.g. Swift)

c) consider how long you will own the car and how hard it will be to sell and how much lower than market value it will be due to CAT D

d) consider if purchase cost is below normal market value to account for c) above

e) warranty - why not phone a local dealer to ask. If they say it will not be covered then you have info to talk down the purchase price. Check Honest John car reviews for common faults for this model (if any are reported)

mikey72

I thought there was no warranty given from the manufacturer on a total loss.

missile

£6,500 for an 8 month old Megane coupe would be cheap enough to attract me. I would buy it, warranty or none. I doubt the manufacturer would know or even care that had been an insurance write off.

If you do not feel confident to DIY, get it examined by AA / RAC.

Is the seller the original owner or a dealer who bought it to sell for profit?

mikey72

missile wrote: »

£6,500 for an 8 month old Megane coupe would be cheap enough to attract me. I would buy it, warranty or none. I doubt the manufacturer would know or even care that had been an insurance write off.

If you do not feel confident to DIY, get it examined by AA / RAC.

Is the seller the original owner or a dealer who bought it to sell for profit?

Seriously?
On a bad day they cancel the warranty if you use the wrong oil filter, let alone rebuilding a write off.

Kilty_2

missile wrote: »

I doubt the manufacturer would know or even care that had been an insurance write off.

Then you find out it was a hire car leased to a hire firm but owned by Renault UK - who just happen to have a direct link to who? Oops.

benham3160

Why has such a new car been "Cat D'd"

That's what I'd be asking.

If it's just for "Stolen and Recovered" I'd go for it.

If it's for an accident, as it's been written off at such a young age, I'd stay VERY clear of it.

Regards,
Andy