Is buying a cat S safer from established dealer

fred246

Am I the only one who can't believe people buying accident damaged cars? It would just make me run a mile. It's the last thing I would want from a car. Jump on an empty can of coke and then try returning it to it's previous state. Bent sheet metal just can't be straightened.

Mercdriver

fred246 said:

Am I the only one who can't believe people buying accident damaged cars? It would just make me run a mile. It's the last thing I would want from a car. Jump on an empty can of coke and then try returning it to it's previous state. Bent sheet metal just can't be straightened.

Not everything is as black and white as it appears in Fredworld.  Many writeoffs exist simply because they would cost more than the claim is worth.  Best advice is to take it on a case by case basis - some are more trivial than others.

fred246

Cat S cars have serious structural damage. The key to buying second hand cars is to avoid dodgy ones. These are classified as dodgy cars! Run Run Run!

Herzlos

But the same damage could be fixed and not have been recorded if the car was worth more. Long delays in getting parts for instance, can drive the cost up and make something a write off (so insurers aren't paying for 6 months hire car).

I probably wouldn't buy one but I can see why people do.

Herzlos

oatybits said:

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.

Sorry, are you saying you're looking at one that hasn't been repaired yet? That's a lot better as you can see the damage and repair yourself. Get the garage you want to do the work to have a look at it and give you a quote. Dont8guess yourself.
The selling garage have obviously decided it's easier to get rid than to repair it, so bear that in mind.

The_Rainmaker

Herzlos said:

oatybits said:

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.

Sorry, are you saying you're looking at one that hasn't been repaired yet? That's a lot better as you can see the damage and repair yourself. Get the garage you want to do the work to have a look at it and give you a quote. Dont8guess yourself.
The selling garage have obviously decided it's easier to get rid than to repair it, so bear that in mind.

I only buy salvage or repaired write offs and my tip is to add a contingency of £500-£1,000 to your repair estimate I have found from experience something else tends to need done.
As a family we are quite hard on cars so they tend to leave our ownership as scrap.  Currently running a 2016 Skoda Superb Estate was under three years old when bought and paid £8,500 for it.  It was a cat S (repaired) and for the life of me I can't figure out why (mileage was quite high so that may have been the reason).  If I had bought a straight one it would have been £13-£14k.

forgotmyname

If the garage have not repaired it should ring alarm bells. A thorough inspection is a must.

Had to point this out to someone the other day, car advertised for almost £1k less than everything
else at the age/mileage etc. £1700 instead of £2500+ for similar models. Reason it sometimes
has the EML come on.  Dealer said it probably just needs a fuel filter. 

Had to point out that a fuel filter will not cost £800, why would he not get that done himself?
Even if he spent £200 on a good service he would still be in profit. More to the fault than
the seller was letting on.

Checking the sellers feedback shows he buys used parts, to me that says he does some
work to the cars he sells or gets someone to fit the parts for him. Not just buys a car and
sells as is.