Is buying a cat S safer from established dealer

oatybits

As above really; I'm considering a Citroen C3 Aircross/ Pug 2008 fairly recent model and there are quite a few Cat S repaired ones available.
I'm aware of the potential pitfalls, especially if you buy private but does buying from an established non-franchised dealer provide more protection? Do I stand a better chance of buying a well-repaired car than buying private?
Opinions welcomed.

forgotmyname

Only buy it if you know how to check that the repairs were done properly or pay someone to check it properly.

Although that may entail removing bumpers etc. which they will not do.

foxy-stoat

It needs to be stinking cheap - you will likely overpay at a dealer with no guarantee that the work was carried out any better.

Buying from a private seller, it will have to be a lot cheaper or it will never sell.

What is the price difference between Cat S and one with no drama?

oatybits

foxy-stoat wrote: »

It needs to be stinking cheap - you will likely overpay at a dealer with no guarantee that the work was carried out any better.

Buying from a private seller, it will have to be a lot cheaper or it will never sell.

What is the price difference between Cat S and one with no drama?

On a 2018/9 model saving about £3 dealer or £4k private , so say £6.5/7.5k cat S and £9k + non-cat S.
Even buying from main dealer there's a chance a car has been repaired, even major are sometimes not declared & my "tame" trusted mechanic says sometimes hard to tell by looking if you can't do full inspection.

Hence my question: is buying from a dealer safer?

Herzlos

oatybits wrote: »

Hence my question: is buying from a dealer safer?

Maybe. Who did the repair? Is there invoices for it? Evidence of what the damage was and that it was done correctly?


It's more likely to have been done correctly by a main dealer, and a main dealer is likely going to be very careful taking one as a trade in. Small dealer or "private seller" is more likely to have tried to do it on the cheap.

EdGasketTheSecond

I would not buy a cat S as it has had serious structural damage but I would consider a cat N.

oatybits

Your input & advice is appreciated but I've been offered a great deal from a "supermarket" on one that's not been repaired, cutting the difference substantially.

I know the score: unless you get one mega-cheap AND you can have evidence of damage before fixing steer clear and I would have anyway. When the difference at this sort of price falls under a grand there's no point buying a Cat S repaired; it's not worth the potential risk.

I'm surprised how many there are for sale though.

angrycrow

Have you driven the c3 aircross before. Had one as a rental last year, instantly went to the top of the list for the worst car I had ever driven. Only redeeming feature was the wing mirrors folded when you locked it, it was that bad. And that was one that had not been in a serious accident.

lostelephant

angrycrow wrote: »

Have you driven the c3 aircross before. Had one as a rental last year, instantly went to the top of the list for the worst car I had ever driven. Only redeeming feature was the wing mirrors folded when you locked it, it was that bad. And that was one that had not been in a serious accident.

What was so bad about it? Not OP but I've been considering a C3 Aircross for my next car.

angrycrow

It may be because I prefer low slung cars with firm sporty suspension set up, short throw gear change and sports seats. 
Engine lacked power.
Poor driving position with very little seat adjustment.
No support to seats just very flat bench like seats.
Brakes felt very binary with no feel.
Numb steering.
Very long throw on the gears. 
Lots of body roll
But that is just my opinion, drive one and see what you think. 

Fran_Klee

angrycrow said:

It may be because I prefer low slung cars with firm sporty suspension set up, short throw gear change and sports seats. 
Engine lacked power.
Poor driving position with very little seat adjustment.
No support to seats just very flat bench like seats.
Brakes felt very binary with no feel.
Numb steering.
Very long throw on the gears. 
Lots of body roll
But that is just my opinion, drive one and see what you think. 

If you're going to drive one you should be expecting a taller car with the compromises the design brings; that's what this SUV type of vehicle is and yet they are very popular.

FYI my OH's C3 Aircross has 130-odd bhp & does 0 - 60 in 8.5 secs - that's not "lacks power" and I disagree with most of the rest of what you said too. But then when I jump in the C3 Aircross I'm not expecting a Porsche Carrera.