would you buy a cat c or d car ?

midcuk · 29-06-11, 01:11 PM

just as the title says really , been looking around and you can get some right bargains which are previously cat c or d (scratch a bumper on a zs and its cat d

) , however would you actually buy one to use everyday, everyone says they are unsafe. Surely if fixed by a reputable repairer then it would be fine?. Also would insurance be a lot more ?

chris

Nor · 29-06-11, 01:42 PM

They're not necessarily unsafe. A Cat C write-off is one in which the repairs cost more than the car is worth. For an MG, this could mean a couple of dented panels. Cat D is where the cost of repair is more than 60% of the value of the car. This could mean a dented wing.

The low value of MG Rovers means they can easily get written off for cosmetic damage. Every car is different though, you just need to find out what damage was done and satisfy yourself that the repair is fine. I wouldn't let it put you off if it's just panel damage. If it involves chasis repairs I'd walk away.

fastmike · 29-06-11, 02:24 PM

Personally I wouldnt buy one..... unless it was silly cheap..... like disposable cheap after I finished useing it..... it will always have the stigma of being on the V car register...

Another thing worth bearing in mind ..... only if the repair has been carried out with weld through primers on any replacement panels and proper rust proofing carried out after any repairs to bodywork will the repair last any length of time

Ritchy · 29-06-11, 03:37 PM

as long as the repair was good then yeah

dida4g · 29-06-11, 04:55 PM

Yes. I'm on my 3rd write off.
TBH I only look at STRAIGHT cars as a guide price really.

All of these diesels were/are spot on.
Mar.08, had it for 2 years. 96SDi
Same bumper was used to repair.

Mar.10, had it for a year. 2000SDi
Replaced doors with LQW mgzs doors.

Jan.11 2004 TD+

dida4g · 29-06-11, 05:00 PM

This is a mate of mine who has this, Cat D, no chassis damage, same bumper used to repair.
It's going to be for sale soon as he's getting somethig different.

Southside_ZS · 29-06-11, 06:21 PM

Yes, Owned various MG-R's on Cat C/D over the years. All have been repaired by myself though so i know they've been done propely.

Never really had a problem selling them on either. I think i'd be a bit dubious about buying one repaired by someone else though unless they have photo evidence of the damage before it was repaired.

daytona365 · 29-06-11, 06:34 PM

Its the low value plus high cost of bits, that does it. I remember my ex wifes Rover 114SLi. Needed two new headlights and a new bonnet. Add the cost of labour and they wrote it off............If we was still married I could have sourced all the bits 2nd hand and got it back on the road. Its a joke that the estimates have to be done with "NEW" parts.
Get bodyshop customers ringing up all the time at work, and the prices are ludicrous. You just know we will never get the job, as the car will be scrapped..........

Proof if needed, friend of mine who owns a Ferrari F40. serious crash, it got repaired as the cost of writing it off was too much.....................

talkingcars · 29-06-11, 07:09 PM

With the low value of straight ZS's you can't really loose.

Mine was close to being a cat D when some numbty cut me up on a roundabout damaging the wing and pushing the bumper in slightly - quotes were around ?700, with the worry of increased premiums and the excess, even if, eventually, the other drivers company paid up (they were chasing me to start off with even though he overtook me on the left and turned right from a left turn lane!)

As soon as I got the okay I sourced a wing in the same colour and last Sunday I changed the wing and straightened the bumper, I also changed the headlights and removed the resonator box, all in 3 and a bit hours, all for the cost of ?30, saving of several ?100 and the hassle of getting the car in etc and I'd still have had to take the bumper off to do the lights.

I have previously bought a written off alfa 33 before cars got catagorised, did the repairs myself and drove the car for 3 years.

If you go into it with your eyes open and make sure you avoid cars with structural damage most can be easy and cheap to repair and in the long run save you lots of money.

I would be more careful if you are considering this as a way to make money buying, repairing and selling cars.

Steves Cleenz · 29-06-11, 08:12 PM

Both my van and car are on a CAT C, repaired them myself, my car was estimated at ?8000 to repair, I did it for ?300!, my van I paid ?356inc VAT and it owes me about ?500 max, in my eyes write offs are bargains