Cat D write off cars - Saxperience

Darlo-paul · 11th January 2010, 22:37

I've seen a car I like, but it was previously a Cat D, would your personally buy a Cat D (I assume that means its been written off before, but put back on the road?

Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-SEAT-IBIZ...item45f0489b6d

sax-dan · 11th January 2010, 22:39

cat D is the least amount of damage a car can have to write it off. D being minimum damage, A-being unrestorable. and D means you dont have to get it VIC checked.

Ben · 11th January 2010, 22:39

Mines Cat C mate! Worries me a little sometimes but its been fully repaired with VIC test so I'm guessin its fine.

VTRelite · 11th January 2010, 22:41

Cat D stuff I wouldnt worry about, just try and get a list of what work was done on the car though

chimpy_vts · 11th January 2010, 22:42

mine was a cat c, only thing i would say is it can be difficult to sell on

Darlo-paul · 11th January 2010, 22:43

I've been in contact with the guy, he said it needed: A new head light, new bumper, new wing, and part of the suspension needed replacing, but he said all the works been properly done.
Cheers for your advice, I really do like the car

blackie_2k5 · 11th January 2010, 22:44

IMO unless you own a car at the time of damage not to get involved with cars that are damaged as youll never really know the extent of damage unless you own it at the time, not worth the hassle and ins goes up, makes it harder to sell and will reduce the value. but if you won a car and it gets pranged i suppose id keep it unless i was sick of it as youll probs be attached

VTRelite · 11th January 2010, 22:45

Must be a right poo job to replace the wing if it was written off with just that

Bound · 11th January 2010, 23:00

Category D is trivial mate, I wouldn't worry about it, for example, you have a £200 Nissan Sunny, you get a hairline scrape in your bumper, the cost of sourcing + respraying and fitting a new bumper is more than the cars worth, that's a write off, but only category D because the damage is so minor.

Of course there can be a bit more damage, but if the industry standard was constant throughout (unfortunately it isn't, but it usually is gauged well), then category D is nothing to worry about.

Put it this way, it doesn’t need a VIC test, so it’s not serious.

Chloeex · 11th January 2010, 23:05

Mine was a CAT C write off, frond end damage from a previous accident, but its been fixed, so i wouldnt worry about a CAT D

Darlo-paul · 11th January 2010, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardBound

Category D is trivial mate, I wouldn't worry about it, for example, you have a £200 Nissan Sunny, you get a hairline scrape in your bumper, the cost of sourcing + respraying and fitting a new bumper is more than the cars worth, that's a write off, but only category D because the damage is so minor.

Of course there can be a bit more damage, but if the industry standard was constant throughout (unfortunately it isn't, but it usually is gauged well), then category D is nothing to worry about.

Put it this way, it doesn’t need a VIC test, so it’s not serious.

Cheers mate, thats cleared alot up for me

Im going to go have alook, its a bargain for the price

Darlo-paul · 11th January 2010, 23:28

Also forgot to ask, anything I should look out for? x

sax-dan · 11th January 2010, 23:29

uneven tyre wear

Stissy · 11th January 2010, 23:59

do it. looks nice.
if its been repaired properly you've got nothing to worry about

LeeM · 12th January 2010, 00:11

i wouldnt buy one, unless it was cat d unrepaired and i was fixing it.

gazwhittle · 12th January 2010, 00:21

well a cat d is a uneconomic repair .. so if he is selling it for around 3k then just think of how much damage its had to warrant 3k (if thats book price) worth of damge....

fraggle_VTR · 12th January 2010, 00:40

All damaged vehicles are inspected and categorised, as either category C or D. Insurance companies will write off cars with this level of damage - purely on economic grounds. when an insurance company inspects a damaged vehicle they are given a repair quote, often for a rediculous price as brand new original manufacturer parts must be used and fitted by an insurance approved garage at often over £75 per hour labour.
a car can be written off for as little a scrape or a kicked in door.
cat c tend to be more damaged, but not always! as the cat is decided by an a bloke whoe can put it as whatever he sees fit.
a cat c will have "vehicle recorded has being in an accident" on the log book and have to take a VIC (vehicle identity check) which checks the IDENTITY not the reapirs on the vehicle, you can take them for the check beofre even completeing the repairs,
i have owned many cat d cars, infact, every car i have owned has come through an insurance company!
changing a wing or bonnet is as trivial as changing a headlight bulb or tyre,
so if seems okay go for it!

Darlo-paul · 12th January 2010, 12:16

Alot of mixed views, im going to have alook at it, see what the guys like ,if he's a chav i'll stay well clear, but if its genuine then I think i'll go for it

chimpy_vts · 12th January 2010, 12:35

im looking at a cat d, i wouldnt worry to much matey !

lemon191 · 12th January 2010, 13:44

if they have recipts etc of a garage doing the work i wouldnt be worried to much its if they fixed it themselves id be more careful.
just look out for general condition as normal but also
does all the body panels line up properly
i would insist on either a test drive or at the very least a quick trip out and listen for any noises etc and obvious check steering and engine fluids etc