Cat C write off advice

pepsimax31

Hello. I'm new to this forum but thought it was an excellent place to get advice.
I have seen a car I am interested in buying but according to a detailed car check the car was a cat c write off last year. The ad states it was bought from the insurance company, had damage on passenger side rear, now repaired.
The car is on offer for around £2000 off the market value of similar models. I am interested in the vehicle because of the extras included and being below the market price, is within my price range.
My question is my current insurance company, that annoying one with the ladies in pink singing, has refused to insure the vehicle.
Is this going to cause a huge problem and can anyone recommend a company that offer competitive prices? I have a full UK licence held for over 20 years, 20 years NCD plus no claims or convictions.
Many thanks.

vaio

very few companies care about write off status and any that do must either ask a specific question or include it in their assumptions/T&C. Read the documents before buying and you'll be fine.

bungles-mum

Hello, I'm also interested in buying a car,,, in 2005 it was a cat d write off, it had light front right end damage, cosmetic, it was repaired, then sold in 2006, then they repurchased it in 2011.
Its in Jersey and they said that the Cat D comes off if re registered on mainland.
Anyone know if this is true please?
Thanks

forgotmyname

Has the vehicle been repaired properly though?

Had it inspected?

bungles-mum

Hello

Yes its all repaired and had an inspection.

Many Thanks

colino

Bear in mind the "inspection" for a Cat C is just to ensure the vehicles proper identity, not anything to do with safety or quality of repair.
I've never actually heard of an insurance company asking if the car is C/D damaged before, let alone refusing insurance. Perhaps this is a good omen for you though. Maybe the refusenik is the insurance company that paid out on the car and know how badly damaged it was.

vax2002

Cat C can be quite a clout, the insurance will work on the basis that the cars crumple zone will have been substantially weakened and in the event of even a Minor bump you and your passengers will receive far greater injuries and fatalities than sitting in a vehicle that has not had a clout hence any payout will be far higher and so the risk.

I would perform a few checks with the old "magnet test" on the body, boot and chassis legs, one little bump and the whole rear end may look like someone run over a box of crisps.
I would also evaluate the increased risk to you and your passengers.

Look for "Sprigging" uneven or large gaps around panels, boot, bonnet to wings, doors as the panels are designed to open up so you can open the doors.

s_b

vax2002 wrote: »

Cat C can be quite a clout, the insurance will work on the basis that the cars crumple zone will have been substantially weakened and in the event of even a Minor bump you and your passengers will receive far greater injuries and fatalities than sitting in a vehicle that has not had a clout hence any payout will be far higher and so the risk.

I would perform a few checks with the old "magnet test" on the body, boot and chassis legs, one little bump and the whole rear end may look like someone run over a box of crisps.
I would also evaluate the increased risk to you and your passengers.

Look for "Sprigging" uneven or large gaps around panels, boot, bonnet to wings, doors as the panels are designed to open up so you can open the doors.

sorry but i cant let this post pass
cat c is down to the insurer the assesor and the amount the insurer hopes to get back in salvage
these days it bears no relation to damage like it used to

as an example i looked at a bashed vw van for a bodyshop today the van had had a payout of £15,000 but it was not categorised so you would unknowingly buy it and no hpi check would show anything
its all torn and twisted in the market place and i dont just mean the motors the biggest crooks are the insurers who are not abiding to abi rules

dodo69

I have seen Cat C with a bad dent in the back bumper and completely caput with all airbags out. I have bought Cat C before with no problem and currently have a Megane I bought four years ago without problem (not usual I know). If you want it might be worth getting an engineers report for the record (around £75)

hartcjhart

if all insurance companies refused to cover cat c/d cars then in 15/20 years time there will hardly be any older cars on the road,most of them seem to write off if the damage is 25% of value,

as Dodo says get an engineers report and if all is sound then get yourself a bargain

bungles-mum

Hello again..
I'd like to buy a cat D car (all fixed and inspected) from Jersey.
When i register this car in the UK , will the Cat D be removed? or will it still show up?
Thanks to anyone who can answer me