Is it worth buying a Cat D car?

xHannahx

Its hard to call these days as no consistency between insurers. From a breakers yard online

Cat D
http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Citroen-Xsara-Picasso-2000-To-2010-Exclusive-HDi-M-P-V-/1348

Cat D
http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Ford-Fiesta-2013-On-Zetec-5-Door-Hatchback/1341

The first is a low value car so a minor scuff has earned it a Cat D marker, the second is fairly high value and significant damage has resulted in a cat D.

On the other hand this is Cat C and is nowhere near as badly damaged as that second Cat D, but is a low value car.

http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Saab-9-5-2002-To-2007-Linear-5-Door-Estate/1353

Therefore I would say not to touch anything with a cat marker unless you know what your looking for.

Browse through the repairable vehicles list on that breaker site to see the inconsistencies of the category markers by insurers.

wrightk

xHannahx wrote: »

Its hard to call these days as no consistency between insurers. From a breakers yard online

Cat D
http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Citroen-Xsara-Picasso-2000-To-2010-Exclusive-HDi-M-P-V-/1348

Cat D
http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Ford-Fiesta-2013-On-Zetec-5-Door-Hatchback/1341

The first is a low value car so a minor scuff has earned it a Cat D marker, the second is fairly high value and significant damage has resulted in a cat D.

On the other hand this is Cat C and is nowhere near as badly damaged as that second Cat D, but is a low value car.

http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Saab-9-5-2002-To-2007-Linear-5-Door-Estate/1353

Therefore I would say not to touch anything with a cat marker unless you know what your looking for.

Browse through the repairable vehicles list on that breaker site to see the inconsistencies of the category markers by insurers.

Funnily enough i bought my focus from that very yard

BeenThroughItAll

xHannahx wrote: »

Its hard to call these days as no consistency between insurers. From a breakers yard online

Cat D
http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Citroen-Xsara-Picasso-2000-To-2010-Exclusive-HDi-M-P-V-/1348

Cat D
http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Ford-Fiesta-2013-On-Zetec-5-Door-Hatchback/1341

The first is a low value car so a minor scuff has earned it a Cat D marker, the second is fairly high value and significant damage has resulted in a cat D.

On the other hand this is Cat C and is nowhere near as badly damaged as that second Cat D, but is a low value car.

http://www.combellack.co.uk/repairable-vehicles/vehicle-details/Saab-9-5-2002-To-2007-Linear-5-Door-Estate/1353

Therefore I would say not to touch anything with a cat marker unless you know what your looking for.

Browse through the repairable vehicles list on that breaker site to see the inconsistencies of the category markers by insurers.

The point is though, that Saab needs a headlamp, probably a wing, a grille, badge, and a bumper, plus paint and possibly a crash bar, maybe air on condenser, etc. The cost of parts for repair alone would probably total more than that Picasso was worth before its accident. The Picasso needs no parts except maybe a fuel flap - it's repair involves either a patch cutting and welding from a ne panel, or possibly the damage removing and refinishing. The cost of repair will be lower as a result, hence its a D and not a C.

motorguy

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

The point is though, that Saab needs a headlamp, probably a wing, a grille, badge, and a bumper, plus paint and possibly a crash bar, maybe air on condenser, etc. The cost of parts for repair alone would probably total more than that Picasso was worth before its accident. The Picasso needs no parts except maybe a fuel flap - it's repair involves either a patch cutting and welding from a ne panel, or possibly the damage removing and refinishing. The cost of repair will be lower as a result, hence its a D and not a C.

Also i would imagine its very hard to get all new parts now for a Saab, hence why they may just have written it off.

motorguy

A lot of Cat Cs and Cat Ds that are put back on the road are done so by people wishing to make money on the repaired car.

And profit = Resale price - car price - repair costs.

So they WILL aim to cut corners on repair costs.

Typically, they will do that by :-

Using second hand parts
Repairing panels instead of replacing (fillers)
Not returning the car to original spec (Xenons could be replaced with cheap standard lights)
Using cheap pattern fit parts
Not returning the bodywork to manufacturer quality paintwork
Hiding repairs required instead of repair (bent rear panel hid by back bumper)
Welding pieces inappropriately into structural areas instead of replacement.

A mate of mine is a body man and he does Cat C / Cat D repairs and sells them on when things are quiet. He'll use phrases like "all genuine parts used in repair" (got them second hand from a scrapyard rather than buy new ones), and "had light panel damage only" (looked like it had been hit by an exocet missile)

BeenThroughItAll

motorguy wrote: »

Also i would imagine its very hard to get all new parts now for a Saab, hence why they may just have written it off.

You'd think so, but I've not encountered a single part I've not been able to get hold of. There may be some, but mostly things still seem to be in supply.

jaydeeuk1

Make sure its repaired properly. Personally I wouldn't risk it to save 20% or so.

Here's an example of some Cat D claims. Not exactly something a bit of T cut can sort

http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/34051575?searchId=1224822685
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/14328776?searchId=487376452
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/29039285?searchId=1748821111
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/41235245?searchId=1748821111

BeenThroughItAll

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Make sure its repaired properly. Personally I wouldn't risk it to save 20% or so.

Here's an example of some Cat D claims. Not exactly something a bit of T cut can sort

http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/34051575?searchId=1224822685
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/14328776?searchId=487376452
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/29039285?searchId=1748821111
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/41235245?searchId=1748821111

All of which are relatively new and/or high parts value repairs, hence Cat D. Repairable, but unviable for the insurer.

Whereas a smashed bumper and headlights from a 5mph impact on a £1000 car would Cat D it, and would take little effort or cost to repair if you didn't take it to a dealership for the parts.

Nothing wrong with a Cat D car in the right circumstances.

wrightk

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Make sure its repaired properly. Personally I wouldn't risk it to save 20% or so.

Here's an example of some Cat D claims. Not exactly something a bit of T cut can sort

http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/34051575?searchId=1224822685
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/14328776?searchId=487376452
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/29039285?searchId=1748821111
http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/41235245?searchId=1748821111

Why would anyone expect a cat d to be repairable with a bit of t cut?

My focus looked like that audi. Looks can be deceiving though because mine only required a bumper,lights bonnet and quarter panel and of course a fresh mot. It helped that i took someone with me who knew what to spot immediately (body shop owner).. and i was immediately advised against some of the other cars that appeared to have minimal damage but actually required major work and something i wouldnt have spotted myself

I guess if your set on buying a cat d take someone with you who knows the cars inside out

ItsJordannn

If you get the right car then a cat D can be very worth it in my opinion. My car, an 04 Clio, was a cat D, just because of various scrapes and dents around the bodywork. Had only done 40000 miles when brought, 15000 miles later and all I've ever had to spend on it was a couple of quid for a window washer. Not bad for £150.