CAT c or CAT d

[Terrano Steve]

what are people thoughts on buying vehicles that were once written off but have been repaired.
I have found a car that has been repaired & being sold by a dealer but is obviously much cheaper than similar cars of the same age.

I personally can't see any issue with buying it but have read all sorts of horror stories & just wondered if any of you have experience with insurance write off.

 

[jims-terrano]

I used to work with someone who bought them and repaired them himself to run around in with his family. If he was prepared to run his family around then they must have been safe.
When you see cars being repaired after an accident often there will be no difference. However not know how it had been repaired and how bad the damage was and also the hassles when selling on? Id leave well alone. This is just my personal opinion.

 

[perelaar]

I wouldn't buy a repaired write-off. Safety etc...

 

[Sweety]

I wouldn't buy any class write off unless it was just to be used on a P&P site as the insurance is often higher for them

 

[Banshee]

Some real bargains to be had out there but as said be very careful

I'd want to know the full extent of the damage and I'd be checking it out VERY thoroughly

 

[firebobby]

All depends on how much damage was done to write it off in the first place, some older vehicles are written off for not much more than a dented panel, in this case, not exactly a dangerous car when repaired.
If it's had major body repairs, then that may be different.

 

[rustic]

All depends on how much damage was done to write it off in the first place, some older vehicles are written off for not much more than a dented panel, in this case, not exactly a dangerous car when repaired.
If it's had major body repairs, then that may be different.

Bolt on parts like doors wings and bumpers would be a no brainer, but twisted chassis, bent sills, dented roof, buckled inner wings no chance.
Air bag deployment can also write a car off.

 

[Sweety]

My mate bought a corsa C cat D write off which was supposed to have been repaired (rear end shunt) I had a close look rear valance bent to hell & the boot floor was creased sitting inside the boot you could see day light in loads of places which is why he had a water leak into the boot in the end he just stripped it down for parts which he put on another corsa.

 

[emjaybee]

Does anyone know how they differentiate the cat "C" or "D"?

Something I've often wondered.

 

[firebobby]

Does anyone know how they differentiate the cat "C" or "D"?

Something I've often wondered.

It's to with the severity of damage to the vehicle.

 

[emjaybee]

It's to with the severity of damage to the vehicle.

I kinda realised that, was looking for a bit more of an in-depth classification.

 

[bry]

Pretty sure a member on here,not too long ago bought back from their insurance company their truck that was written off..

 

[carpy33]

Does anyone know how they differentiate the cat "C" or "D"?

Something I've often wondered.

CAT D will generally be minor damage and can include bumpers/airbags deployed. Its normally slight damage however i have seen some that were classed as CAT D and they looked horrific. The value of the damage was less than the value of the car however insurance company have written it off (example dent in front door costing £1000 and vehicle has a book price of £1200)

CAT C is normally a bit more drastic and can include side impact were doors have been damaged along with seals/windows etc. This type of vehicle will cost more to repair than the actual value of the vehicle.

I would personally stay well clear of CAT C cars as they can be a real pain in the A$%E. CAT D will be fine as long as you are aware of where the damage was and who repaired it. If it was repaired by Joe Bloggs then walk away. Also make sure the vehicle has had a VIC (vehicle identity check) completed by VOSA. This check is VOSA'S chance to make sure that the vehicle is road worth and the repairs have been carried out properly. NO VIC then NO SALE.

Your insurance will be more expensive and if you ever get offered a CAT B or A walk away. This type of vehicle should only be sold for parts (CAT B) or totally scrapped (CAT A).

Good luck :thumb2

 

[John B]

Let's not forget that insurance company's will wright off a car with very little damage as the cost of repair could be more than a percentage of the value. My Mrs has got a 53 plate clio dci and to the book is worth £1100 as she had a small bump when infact a bloke reversed into the side of her as she drove past and did the bottom of the rear near side and marked the wheel but when the assesor came to have a look he priced the work up and came out with £1500 so we just did a cash settlement of £1100 and I got it all repaired and looking like new for less than 300 notes and nothing was recorded or the other option was £1200 and the car would marked.

 

[firebobby]

CAT D will generally be minor damage and can include bumpers/airbags deployed. Its normally slight damage however i have seen some that were classed as CAT D and they looked horrific. The value of the damage was less than the value of the car however insurance company have written it off (example dent in front door costing £1000 and vehicle has a book price of £1200)

CAT C is normally a bit more drastic and can include side impact were doors have been damaged along with seals/windows etc. This type of vehicle will cost more to repair than the actual value of the vehicle.

I would personally stay well clear of CAT C cars as they can be a real pain in the A$%E. CAT D will be fine as long as you are aware of where the damage was and who repaired it. If it was repaired by Joe Bloggs then walk away. Also make sure the vehicle has had a VIC (vehicle identity check) completed by VOSA. This check is VOSA'S chance to make sure that the vehicle is road worth and the repairs have been carried out properly. NO VIC then NO SALE.

Your insurance will be more expensive and if you ever get offered a CAT B or A walk away. This type of vehicle should only be sold for parts (CAT B) or totally scrapped (CAT A).

Good luck :thumb2

Just what I said :lol:lol

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

had a few cars from friend of family repaired.

only minor damage but due to mainstream repair costs so easily become uneconomical.


father in law on his 4th as think, last one to this a renault scenic lasted him 12 years
and was still ok but he was getting bored with it.

we had 3 of the guy, only stopping as he wasnt a big fan of 4x4s.

always has full report and independent engineer.

 

[rustic]

Watch out for a ringer...
Also consider that some rogues out there will buy a cat c or d, then steal an identical car, cut out the vid no and body number and re engrave the engine number, swap the number plates... less work than straightening bodies.:augie

You get a better car though....:augie
But it may be snatched back at any time

 

[Barrbeast]

Pretty sure a member on here,not too long ago bought back from their insurance company their truck that was written off..

From memory it was Banshee after he got rear ended by a lorry. I think he mainly needed a new back door but insurance co just wrote off the truck. Ended up buying a proper Terrano Van and swapping bits across (I think).

 

[micktheshed]

CAT D will generally be minor damage and can include bumpers/airbags deployed. Its normally slight damage however i have seen some that were classed as CAT D and they looked horrific. The value of the damage was less than the value of the car however insurance company have written it off (example dent in front door costing £1000 and vehicle has a book price of £1200)

CAT C is normally a bit more drastic and can include side impact were doors have been damaged along with seals/windows etc. This type of vehicle will cost more to repair than the actual value of the vehicle.

I would personally stay well clear of CAT C cars as they can be a real pain in the A$%E. CAT D will be fine as long as you are aware of where the damage was and who repaired it. If it was repaired by Joe Bloggs then walk away. Also make sure the vehicle has had a VIC (vehicle identity check) completed by VOSA. This check is VOSA'S chance to make sure that the vehicle is road worth and the repairs have been carried out properly. NO VIC then NO SALE.

Your insurance will be more expensive and if you ever get offered a CAT B or A walk away. This type of vehicle should only be sold for parts (CAT B) or totally scrapped (CAT A).

Good luck :thumb2

I would agree regarding cat c, they are not worth the risk unless you have 'inside' knowledge.
Mine is cat D but was written off because of Nissan's high prices rather than any serious damage. Not had any trouble insuring it. Saved me about £2K to buy it (3y ago) so I'm happy.
Unless I'm mistaken the VOSA check is only to confirm identity of the vehical, an MOT is essential to confirm road-worthyness.

 

[Banshee]

From memory it was Banshee after he got rear ended by a lorry. I think he mainly needed a new back door but insurance co just wrote off the truck. Ended up buying a proper Terrano Van and swapping bits across (I think).

Correct :thumb2

£161 they wanted for it, was worth way more than that to me in parts that it had on it that I transplanted onto the new one :thumbs

They classed that as a Cat C but only based on what I TOLD THEM I'm not going to incriminate myself on a public forum though but all mine needed was a new back door and bumper, the damage to the gearbox (whose to say that was or wasn't there before hand) I was in gear at the time :augie