Buying an unrepaired Cat C

[mattylondon]

This is something I'm thinking of, but having never dealt with a Cat C or D car it's probably something I shouldn't do. However the damage on first inspection isn't too bad. Ideally I would get the repairs done and have the car back on the road.

Anybody have past experience to warn me away?

[The_Laird]

This might be helpful:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-new...offs-explained

[steamship]

Interesting article, as I always wondered what the difference was between Cat C and D, although labelling a car as 'potentially dangerous' if it's anything like the example given 'a 10 year old car with a dent' seems a bit OTT.

[North2007]

Bought a few. Audi can easily be pushed into Cat C or D due to the repair costs - parts and labour. If you are on this forum, it's likely you are a resourceful chap. Parts even genuine, can cost a fraction quoted by repairers, from breakers. If you plan to intend to drive the car into the ground, it could be well worth it. Bolt off, bolt off damage is best. Avoid jig work, unless you have very deep pockets.

[Johnmed]

It's something I've frequently contemplated in the past too Matt. Like above, made worthwhile if you're keeping the thing, no buyer to be put off by previous C/D status etc.

What takes your fancy, a nice D4?

[sarg]

Make sure your insurer is aware the car has had a previous claim, the majority will not offer any kind of cover

And don't just not tell them, that's almost as bad as no insurance

I had a Cat D repaired car, never again.

[roberto]

ive had and repaired quite a few over the years
my mrs is running a cat-d at the moment
no problems
and you can save a fortune
but you must buy at the right price
ie: i paid £2500 for a cat-d car that was retailing for £6000
its got a cracked front and rear bumper and still has

[Ameiseuk]

I've brought 2 cat-d vheicles back to life in the past few years.
Its a calculated risk, on both occasions I've found something expensive during the repair which was not disclosed by the seller that has triggered the write off status.

On the Subaru legacy I fixed up a couple of years back this was the 6 branch intake manifold that had a big hole in it. They are a work of art sitting out of the engine but nearly £2k to buy from the Subaru dealer at the time. Thankfully some plastic welding fixed it and got the car sorted for a few ££££.

I agree with a comment above that you really need to take the view that you will be running the car into the ground. Taking a cat-d (or worse still a cat-c) near a dealer as a trade in is financial suicide.

[mattylondon]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Initially I spotted this on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162165211994?

The damage looked light with exhaust, bumper and possibly tail lid. But the Cat C rating on a 2009 car gets me worried of further damage to the rear subframe, geometry, rear axle... Communications with the seller says it's just this damage that has recorded the Cat C.

[Conquistador]

Have you gone to see the car?

Undamaged, I'd say that's a £10k car all day long so cat.C does suggest that something uneconomical for you to repair may lurking deeper seeing as a bumper can be bought for a few £hundred it doesn't look to need a new rear quarter. Damage looks in the vicinity of the rear impact bar and would need a fair bit of aluminium work too I'm guessing?

Here's a pic I found of an A8 (Scott's A8?) with no rear bumper: