Returning a Cat B total loss to the road...How?

Bellabelmont

Sorry if this has been done before, but I'm desperate.

I own a 1986 Vauxhall Belmont on a D plate. She was immaculate, full history of every tiny piece of work ever done to her, including the original purchase reciept and only 31500 miles on the clock, and she's the most reliable car I've ever owned passing every single MOT with nothing more than a blown bulb every once in a while!

Just over a week ago some nasty cretins in my area stole her, took her for a joy ride and then in the ensuing police chase wrote her off.

The insurance are telling me she's a Cat B write off. For a start I completely disagree, as does a mechanic friend of mine that has her in storage waiting to be repaired. We believe theyre only saying that because of her age, which to a company I can understand but considering her sentimental value, I absolutely refute!

I want to challenge this for a start, how do I go about that? And secondly, if I cant get them to change their category of total loss, I know she can be returned to the road provided a VIC test and MOT prove her identity and roadworthyness, but I need to be certain that in doing the repairs she'll pass the VIC test and MOT, how do I find that out? or would the outcome of my challenging the insurers loss adjuster answer that question for me??

I'm so devastated that this has happened to my car, I know it's odd to be attached to a car, but I really cant express how much this one means to me. I should also add that it doesnt matter to me if I'm in debt the rest of my life, I want to get this car back on the road.

Please help! I need some positivity in all this horrible mess

bengalknights

If the insurance have wrote it off, you would have to buy the car off them at the amount they quote, after that its just a matter of taking it to the mechanic/bodyshop and having it repaired so that the category can be changed to roadworth and the mot passed.

The insurance company should usually provide a list of problems if you buy it back from them.

rodenal

Just hold on there...

CAT B?

CAT B cars can never (as far as I understand) be returned to the road - only stripped for parts

auroan

bengalknights wrote: »

If the insurance have wrote it off, you would have to buy the car off them at the amount they quote, after that its just a matter of taking it to the mechanic/bodyshop and having it repaired so that the category can be changed to roadworth and the mot passed.

The insurance company should usually provide a list of problems if you buy it back from them.

Not quite.

Contact VOSA and get the actual facts. Cat A and B usually means no going back to the road... regardless.

Hammyman

Bellabelmont wrote: »

The insurance are telling me she's a Cat B write off. For a start I completely disagree, as does a mechanic friend of mine that has her in storage waiting to be repaired. We believe theyre only saying that because of her age, which to a company I can understand but considering her sentimental value, I absolutely refute!

I want to challenge this for a start, how do I go about that? And secondly, if I cant get them to change their category of total loss, I know she can be returned to the road provided a VIC test and MOT prove her identity and roadworthyness, but I need to be certain that in doing the repairs she'll pass the VIC test and MOT, how do I find that out? or would the outcome of my challenging the insurers loss adjuster answer that question for me??

If it is CAT B, an MOT and a VIC test won't see it back on the road. As mad as it sounds, it is actually possible for a CAT B to pass an MOT but be completely unfit to drive.

Financially unviable usually is CAT D. CAT B is for structural and safety issues. Just because it looks OK doesn't mean it is. You could put it on a jig and find that it is bent like a banana and twisted as well which means it will never drive right no matter what you do other than re-shell it.

RichGold

Bellabelmont wrote: »

I own a 1986 Vauxhall Belmont on a D plate. She was immaculate

http://www.insurancewriteoff.co.uk/

Sorry mate, the old girls had it. That's the thing with old Vauxhalls, they were always so easy to steal. I stripped and rebuilt 2 of my old Nova's and once you have a look at the starting mechanism, anyone could start them with very little effort, even a small child could do it with instruction. Thats probably why the little scrotes took it, it was far easier than nicking something else.

thegirlintheattic

Hammyman: I thought Cat C was beyond economical repair.

OP: The car can never be used again on the road, you can re-use no critical and non-structural parts in other cars but that is it.

Rolandtheroadie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2605019

The thread above should help.

s_b

Bellabelmont if insurer is classifying this as a b then as said you need to be able to get it back off them and if they are a member of the abi then their code of conduct says you cant and the car has to go to an end of life centre for stripping and enviromentally disposing of
if your insurer is not a member of the abi usually because they are an offshore insurer then if they allow you to buy the salvage back you can put it back on the road
it needs to have a vic identity check which costs £41 and is done at your neerest vosa testing station google http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017800

once passed you reapply for your v5 log book if the insurer took it off you via dvla quoting the vic application and not paying the £25 log book fee
they dont need a fresh mot but its best to do it to confirm a fresh pair of motmans eyes might see something you havent
the only problem is a lot of insurers wont insure a cat b and some might require an engineers report but it is doable

the easiest solution is waive your payout fee from your insure so no claim has been paid and pay for repairs to ignition etc yourself,on something like your car all parts should be available from ebay for pennies

need more help feel free to ask

rev_henry

Sorry this has happened to you. Don't really know what to suggest - is it possible to pursuade the insurance to make it a cat c or d instead of B so it'll could potentially go back on the road?

The second I saw the word 'Belmont' I immediately though 'stolen'. They were notorious for being nicked:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/dec/23/ukcrime

'The 1986 Vauxhall Belmont was yesterday named the car most likely to be stolen, with one in 10 falling prey to thieves last year [2002].' :eek:

patman99

Of course your mechanic will have to charge a storage fee to the insurer. As this is likely to be higher than the value of the car, he could offer to accept the car as a parts donor instead of cash.
That way, he will be able to jig-it and see if the body or chassis is bent.