BMW 318I se CAT C

pesser_2

anyone please help me going to test drive this car tomorrow. the guy holds cars for insurance companies untill claims are resolved he had this bmw for a while told me that thar the front bumper was replaced no chassis damage 38k on the clock. and would sell to me for around £3,800

so i went home a ran a HPI check through carcheckcouk came up with this

Make BMW

Model 318I SE

Colour SILVER

Door Plan 4 DOOR SALOON

Transmission MANUAL 6 GEARS PETROL

Engine Capacity 01995

Engine Number B316I026

CO2 Emissions 175 g/km

Date of First Registration 04/09/2007 Year Manufactured

2007 Imported No

Exported No

Used before 1st registration? No

This vehicle has not been reported stolen

This vehicle has not been scrapped

This vehicle is not on the high risk database

This vehicle has not had it's plates changed

This vehicle has not changed colour

This Vehicle has had 002 keepers

Last Keeper Change: 01/08/2013

Condition (write-off and category)
Date of Transaction: 14/06/2012
Loss Date: 22/05/2012
Status: CAT C EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

extensive damage ! is it the insurance company who categorizes the car as cat c extensive damage what is deemed as extensive damage ?

LandyAndy

This

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504162667508?keywords=318%20SE&sort=atcustom&make=bmw&search-target=usedcars&postcode=sp61ej&page=1&maximum-age=up_to_8_years_old&transmission=manual&model=3_series&channel=cars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&quantity-of-doors=4&radius=1500&logcode=p

Suggests it might be around the right price.

But it's a bit of a dull car to take a punt on.

ChumLee

It's not a desirable car and there are plenty BMWs about so why go for a write off?

pesser_2

its a 57 plate

forgotmyname

Its a 57 plate that had extensove damage. Do you have the knowledge to inspect the car to see if it has been repaired properly or just botched?

Sticking a new bumper on a bent and twisted front end may make it look OK but it could be a death trap. And don't think an MOT will keep you safe, they can only test what they can see.

pesser_2

here's the milage for it

Source of Mileage: RMI MIL'GE
Date of Mileage: 16/10/2009
Mileage: 025716

Source of Mileage: RMI MIL'GE
Date of Mileage: 08/05/2009
Mileage: 017962

Source of Mileage: BVRLA
Date of Mileage: 24/11/2008
Mileage: 010123

since then it been declared SORN

ChumLee

pesser wrote: »

here's the milage for it

Source of Mileage: RMI MIL'GE
Date of Mileage: 16/10/2009
Mileage: 025716

Source of Mileage: RMI MIL'GE
Date of Mileage: 08/05/2009
Mileage: 017962

Source of Mileage: BVRLA
Date of Mileage: 24/11/2008
Mileage: 010123

And what's your point?

It hasn't done many miles because it's been wrapped round an immovable object. You're buying a whole host of problems unless you can do the work yourself.

pesser_2

i really should have a mechanic look at it

Marktheshark

Some Insurance Companies wont insure cat C.
A Vic check is only an Identity Check, it does not check the condition.
As said MOT can only check for what it specifies.
The car needs a full safety and structural check to be safe.

bigjl

If they replaced the bumper then they likely had to replace the headlights, grille and front panel aswell, maybe even the bonnet had repairs.

So even without any damage to the chassis the damage would quickly be several thousand.

Insurance price up work using new parts.

If you repair with used parts you can reduce the parts spend by a huge amount which is why they are repaired in this way.

But as already said if you can't inspect this car properly then don't buy.

ChumLee

Marktheshark wrote: »

Some Insurance Companies wont insure cat C.
A Vic check is only an Identity Check, it does not check the condition.
As said MOT can only check for what it specifies.
The car needs a full safety and structural check to be safe.

No, it needs repairing properly to be safe.