Cat. D flagged up on hpi

Mercdriver

Sarahemm wrote: »

He literally just got it in so maybe hasn't done the checks yet. I've only put down a deposit so if it looks really dodgy I can always drop out. Only issue is that then I'd have to buy a crappier version of the same car that doesn't look like it's been looked after, if you go by the mot history that is. Advisories still advisories or fails the next year. Whereas this car has been pretty good in the pass rate or if failed seems to have been fixed. However, I never trust mot history that much as we have a cousin that does ours, who can be a bit more lax than he might be with other people. For example I had an issue with a window stuck closed. He said, just don't use it.

Doesn't matter that he just got it in. It is his legal responsibility to inform potential purchasers about it being a write off. Ignorance is not a defence. He should not be offering a car for sale if he hasn't done checks on it.

If he doesn't take this seriously, what else is he missing?

a.turner

Sarahemm wrote: »

I have been to look at a car at a dealer today. It was flagged up as a cat D written off in may 2016. It's passed MOTs since then and appears to have damage on the boot area of the car. We took it for a test drive and it seemed ok, although I dunno what I'm looking of listening for. It needs an MOT and the dealer is going to get one done and a few other bits.
My question is if it's been cat D for nearly three years is there really anything I should be concerned about? I assume it's been fixed (maybe not to the manufacturer standard but I get mine fixed by polish Pete, so no different). I only insure my car's third party, fire and theft so would have no issues with it being not fixed if it smashed up.
I have very limited options as I require a 7 seater and need it now and also need to find a dealer that accepts credit card not easy.

Probably a false economy.

Mercdriver

To expand on a.turner's point, it is often actually cheaper to insure full comp than to insure third party+ fire and theft.

foxy-stoat

It may cost you more to insure and it will affect resale value and possible total loss payout.

Unless it was stinking cheap I would buy a straight one.

Sarahemm

It is stinking cheap. £1000 less than autotrader think it should be. Third party fire and theft is much cheaper for me as I had a fault accident in 2016 and only have 1 year NCD I've never repaired or claimed on a car, I just can't see the point. I don't work much so compensation would be a difficult one, I won't be losing out on wages.
Anyway.
I just have a crap, cheap car for going to the tip, shopping etc. My husband has the reliable car that's worth something.

Mercdriver

Sarahemm wrote: »

It is stinking cheap. £1000 less than autotrader think it should be. Third party fire and theft is much cheaper for me as I had a fault accident in 2016 and only have 1 year NCD I've never repaired or claimed on a car, I just can't see the point. I don't work much so compensation would be a difficult one, I won't be losing out on wages.
Anyway.
I just have a crap, cheap car for going to the tip, shopping etc. My husband has the reliable car that's worth something.

Have you done a thorough check on quote sites?

Cheap cars can cost you a lot of money. Dealers don't sell cars cheap for no reason. They sell it cheap to get shot of problem cars. Don't walk into it it blindfolded. Have someone who knows cars to look at it. How do you know it is not borderline between the bands? Do you know what to look for?

As I said, the fact that the dealer wasn't upfront about the write off status would make me walk. That will be the reason it is cheaper, yet he says he didn't know.

Are the dealers called Geppetto and sons?

[for those not Disney orientated, Geppetto is Pinocchio's father]

sevenhills

I bid on a Zafira on ebay, damaged but repaired, much cheaper than others of a similar age, my bid was not accepted. A close call maybe.
I have read that some insurance companies charge more for write-offs.
Still looking, 2012 for around £3,000

DoaM

Sarahemm wrote: »

AA apparently won't check it and it's £183 somewhere else.

Sarahemm wrote: »

Can't really afford to pay someone

This suggests that you can't really afford to buy the car either.

How often are you "going to the tip, shopping etc."? Once you factor in purchase cost, insurance cost, running costs (fuel, tyres, etc.) you may find that getting a taxi when needed is cheaper.

EmmyLou30

Sarahemm wrote: »

I'm not sure he knows it's a write off as he didn't mention it, but it is priced as such.
So I shouldn't worry. I personally couldn't care less whether it's been fixed by the dodgy garage down the road. To me that means it's fixed.

If it's not been fixed properly then you won't know that it'll take the impact of a rear end shunt very well again (the fact it's had one shunt means it probably wouldn't anyway but at least a proper repair means you have the best chance). If you just transport stuff in the back to the tip or shopping then not such an issue....if you have kids in the rear seats of a 7 seater (very close to the boot) then is their safety worth saving a few quid to find out for sure?


My Dad had someone rear end his Seat Alhambra but luckily seats 6 and 7 weren't in the car or occupied at the time as the car behind came some way inside the boot space enough to smash up his tools and stuff that was in the boot. Thankfully none of us were sat in that space

sevenhills

I have found a 'cat N' car, insurance quote didn't mention it being a write off, maybe it will if I complete the quote and pay?
Although Cat N is only minor damage.