Brother is after a motor to replace his aging old A6.

He has two in mind Octavia hatch (L&K/VRS DSG)

or

Golf 5 door (140SE/GT DSG).

Both Diesel.

His budget is 11k and its his intention to keep the vehicle for 5+ years.

So the question is, would you ever consider a CAT D vehicle?

Is there a register where you can find out the extent of the damage?

Expect even if the vehicle is less than three years old the warranty would be void? (assuming it had a 3yr warranty that is).

Thanks

Nee

I would buy a Cat D provided it passed a geometry check to show all the wheels are facing in exactly the direction (and at the angles) that they should be.

Cat D is generally easilly repairable.

Having said that though there needs to be a cost implication to buy one, so it needs to be noticably cheaper than a non-recorded similar vehicle.

Ideally you want to see before and after photos from the seller.

Back in my younger years I used to pick up Ford Sierras from a salvage auction for about £100, stick a front wing on and they were done!

Sometimes Cat D vehicles were just stolen recovered, no damage at all and just needed a set of locks.

I wouldn't touch a Cat C vehicle though as they have had more extensive damage and could have a weakened shell which may have implications in an accident.

If a perfect Cat D popped up and importantly I HAD NO INTENTION OF SELLING IT AGAIN, it represents a proper bargain to be had. Almost wish I'd looked out for a Cat D mongrel when I bought it in 2004.

Same as above really, don't expect to sell it for much after if you do come to sell it.

Cat D are the least damage write offs so that's the most I'd stretch to, Cat C upwards I wouldn't even look...

Im getting he wants a brand fire new car? 11k can get you alot of car these days

You can pick up some real good bargains is a slight write off but as said, when it comes to selling, its going to be hard to hard and/or a lose abit of money.

I'd have no issues with a cat d. As long as you buy at the right price then you'll not be out of pocket when it comes to selling.

Just having a quick look about, this is most likely too much work for him but by the pictures it looks pretty straight and it wont go for anywhere near 11k

http://www.salvagesparefinder.co.uk/SKODA+OCTAVIA+VR-788041.htm

I recently bought a CAT D Pug 106 Rallye 1.3i. The previous owner had a VIC (extended MOT thing?) done and researched all the previous owners from the Owners Club before he bought it.

In the case of the Pug it was a low speed front knock. Needed new bonnet, 1 headlight & 1 indicator. It still has original bumper fitted.

In the case of older cars they are easily written off. Try telling the insurance evaluation chap that there is a difference between a 1.1 and a Rallye (or anyone else for that matter!!).

Edited 8 March, 201214 yr by Higgy 69

It would depend on a few things for me:

• If/when I would want to sell the car again
  
• How old the car was when the damage occurred (an old car may only need light damage to make it cat D but a newer car would need more)
  
• What the damage was
  
• The quality of the repair
  
• The price!
  

In general I probably wouldn't buy a cat D, especially not if I was spending £11k. The only time I'd consider it would be on an older car that had light damage and that I wouldn't want to sell on again.

Edited 8 March, 201214 yr by vrsTom

Ive had a few write off in my time and they have been fine.

If you have that sort of money though why bother as there are some real bargains to be had for nerly new,

If you go for one do an HPI check and make sure it has had a VIC ( not an extended mot the VIC is just a Vehicle Identity Check ),

I would buy a Cat D provided it passed a geometry check to show all the wheels are facing in exactly the direction (and at the angles) that they should be.

Cat D is generally easilly repairable.

Having said that though there needs to be a cost implication to buy one, so it needs to be noticably cheaper than a non-recorded similar vehicle.

Ideally you want to see before and after photos from the seller.

Back in my younger years I used to pick up Ford Sierras from a salvage auction for about £100, stick a front wing on and they were done!

Sometimes Cat D vehicles were just stolen recovered, no damage at all and just needed a set of locks.

I wouldn't touch a Cat C vehicle though as they have had more extensive damage and could have a weakened shell which may have implications in an accident.

This is what sparked the question:

http://www.revolutionmotors.co.uk/used-volkswagen-golf-oldham-rochdale-manchester-333759

Never thought to ask about a geometery check let alone pictures of previous damage so thanks for that!

If a perfect Cat D popped up and importantly I HAD NO INTENTION OF SELLING IT AGAIN, it represents a proper bargain to be had. Almost wish I'd looked out for a Cat D mongrel when I bought it in 2004.

Yep, that's his intention. Just trying to find out what level of damage it/they had before committing

Just having a quick look about, this is most likely too much work for him but by the pictures it looks pretty straight and it wont go for anywhere near 11k

http://www.salvagesp...A+VR-788041.htm

Thought I new about obscure places to look for a motor but never considered a salvage specialist, thanks for the tip.

It would depend on a few things for me:

• If/when I would want to sell the car again
  
• How old the car was when the damage occurred (an old car may only need light damage to make it cat D but a newer car would need more)
  
• What the damage was
  
• The quality of the repair
  
• The price!
  

In general I probably wouldn't buy a cat D, especially not if I was spending £11k. The only time I'd consider it would be on an older car that had light damage and that I wouldn't want to sell on again.

At first I was inclined to agree with you as 11k is a lot to throw at a car with a possible flaky history but the more Im looking into it the more they become a viable proposition.As you say, extent of damage and quality of repair are key to the purchase.

There is certainly a lot to think about and appreciate all your input!

Cheers!

Nee

I had a CAT D as my first car, got it repaired very cheap.

As others have said if you keep it for a while and don't expect much from re-sale then go for it.

Cat D are not necessary accident damaged, they are usually stolen /recovered or minor/flood damage. Not always noted on the V5. You can call the DVLA to find out if it is registered or VIC compliant but will not know the reason for the category. ( Phone no. on the DVLA website)

Most importantly when viewing cat D or cat C cars check the identity, how it drives, and if the electric gizmos all work.

http://www.revolutionmotors.co.uk/used-volkswagen-golf-oldham-rochdale-manchester-333759

That's not an se, that's a gtd so 170bhp unless theyve made a lot of effort to put gtd bits on......bumper, grill, steering wheel, rear bumper, tailpipes, wheels.

That doesn't look right. Were the tartan seats an option? Those ones look a bit naff tbh. :-/

That does seem alot of money, i'm sure an Oct'y would be better value.

if its a cat c then it needs a vic check, if its a cat d it doesnt.

Plenty of cat ds are accident damaged, like cat cs, an its difficult to see why some are c and and some are d sometimes.

as long as you buy the car for a saving, then its worth a consideration (assuming the work is done properly which is the most important thing), a cat c isnt automatically more dangerous than a cat d, its to do with the write off/repair values.

After having a look at two Cat D motor's we decided to stick with keeping it simple and looking at the convential !

Golf GT 140 DSG below 13k Bit thin on the ground but sure its worth the wait.

Thanks for your input everyone