Is it worth buying Category N car ?

mohsin_99

Hi
I am thinking of replacing my car. The car I want is out of my budget but upon looking I find out a category N car that is almost 50% less than original price

I have heard some pros and cons of N category cars. I was thinking of inspecting it from a reputable garage to make sure it was ok 

Do you think it is a good idea to buy category N cars ? Any past experience share would be really good

MinuteNoodles

Nothing wrong with them if they've been repaired properly especially as damage tends to be cosmetics or even a full set of alloys were stolen and the wheels were going to cost a large part of the value of the car to buy but beware that you won't get as much for it when selling it and it may be hard to sell.

motorguy

mohsin_99 said:

Hi
I am thinking of replacing my car. The car I want is out of my budget but upon looking I find out a category N car that is almost 50% less than original price

I have heard some pros and cons of N category cars. I was thinking of inspecting it from a reputable garage to make sure it was ok 

Do you think it is a good idea to buy category N cars ? Any past experience share would be really good

What do you mean by "50% less than the original price"?

An awful lot of written off cars that are put back on the road are done so by people making money by doing it, therefore corners are often cut - used parts off spurious scrap cars, pattern fit new panels, motor factors parts instead of genuine ones, repair a panel rather than replace it.  

Also the seller will often say "just panel damage" but moreoften they're a lot worse.

motorguy

MinuteNoodles said:

Nothing wrong with them if they've been repaired properly especially as damage tends to be cosmetics or even a full set of alloys were stolen and the wheels were going to cost a large part of the value of the car to buy but beware that you won't get as much for it when selling it and it may be hard to sell.

It can be just that yes - but it can also be this...


https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/34988300

[Deleted User]

motorguy said:

MinuteNoodles said:

Nothing wrong with them if they've been repaired properly especially as damage tends to be cosmetics or even a full set of alloys were stolen and the wheels were going to cost a large part of the value of the car to buy but beware that you won't get as much for it when selling it and it may be hard to sell.

It can be just that yes - but it can also be this...


https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/34988300

And the nasty thing about this is it will end up back in the road.

motorguy

Deleted_User said:

motorguy said:

MinuteNoodles said:

Nothing wrong with them if they've been repaired properly especially as damage tends to be cosmetics or even a full set of alloys were stolen and the wheels were going to cost a large part of the value of the car to buy but beware that you won't get as much for it when selling it and it may be hard to sell.

It can be just that yes - but it can also be this...


https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/34988300

And the nasty thing about this is it will end up back in the road.

Which can be well done and perfectly fine.  But likewise theres a world of opportunity there to cut corners by using second hand parts off spurious other cars, leaving unseen plastics damaged which could allow water ingress later, not use genuine connectors when replacing them, hammer out a panel and filler it rather than replace it, not put the car on a jig to ensure its "straight", etc, etc and then advertise it as "just needed a couple of panels".

The_Rainmaker

 I've bought this Fabia Monte Carlo 16 plate for my daughter currently awaiting repair £1850 (with all auction costs and delivery I'm in at £2100), repairs will be an additional £900.  Retail price (allegedly) £8,000.  I'm well chuffed.

[Deleted User]

The_Rainmaker said:

 I've bought this Fabia Monte Carlo 16 plate for my daughter currently awaiting repair £1850 (with all auction costs and delivery I'm in at £2100), repairs will be an additional £900.  Retail price (allegedly) £8,000.  I'm well chuffed.

There's nothing wrong doing it when you know all about it. It's the people who buy them from Copart and places, do a crap job, as motorguy says, and sell them on to the unsuspecting public.

The_Rainmaker

Deleted_User said:

There's nothing wrong doing it when you know all about it. It's the people who buy them from Copart and places, do a crap job, as motorguy says, and sell them on to the unsuspecting public.

Interestingly my man wants to source a second hand bonnet if he can get one rather than the £170 pattern part.

motorguy

The_Rainmaker said:

 I've bought this Fabia Monte Carlo 16 plate for my daughter currently awaiting repair £1850 (with all auction costs and delivery I'm in at £2100), repairs will be an additional £900.  Retail price (allegedly) £8,000.  I'm well chuffed.

Yup thats a decent enough buy and as you're doing the work yourself you know exactly what it needed and whats been done.  Plus you're (or your daughter) are getting the saving.  

The issue comes when someone buys that, does the minimum to doctor it up, and resells it for max profit.

motorguy

The_Rainmaker said:

Deleted_User said:

There's nothing wrong doing it when you know all about it. It's the people who buy them from Copart and places, do a crap job, as motorguy says, and sell them on to the unsuspecting public.

Interestingly my man wants to source a second hand bonnet if he can get one rather than the £170 pattern part.

Yes that would be common practice.  A pattern part bonnet in particular could be flimsy compared to a genuine one or may not fit correctly.

Also he / you might get lucky and come across a white one that colour matches.