That alone would make me run a mile.

 

That is normal though, the reg plate my Audi was on for 5 years is now on a Mercedes C Class and the Audi on its original.

 

If you run a HPI check it will show all previous registration details, dates of change and will reveal where the write off occurred. Use the official HPI website, and not a third party (eg. RAC, mycarcheck)

 

The dealer will have handled the plate transfer to the golf, so should therefore know the plate now on the car. HPI check against this original plate.

No paperwork, then the could could be anything.

Fine if you don't mind taking a risk, but personally I wouldn't touch it with an extended barge pole.

Someone mentioned how much warranty the dealer is offering.

A warranty is worth sod all on this thing, as how do you NOT prove things are down to 'reasonable wear and tear' if you can't ascertain the true mileage and history in the first place? Any claim will be rejected, with a muffled giggle...

I'm sorry, but the old adage 'a fool and his money' spring to mind.

Why not look for one belonging to one of the members on here, they are by and large the better cared for and, by the very virtue that most have been discussed in detail on the forums, are a better bet.

If you are buying from a Dealer in the UK there might well be a Warranty for 30 or 90 days, often not worth the paper the 'Verbal agreement' is not  written on,

But you get some kind promise of them repairing major mechanical failures on the vehicle in a month or 3.

Can be a waste of time, but you should be dealeing with someone that had a Second Hand Vehicles Traders licence and Insurance.

(this might and probably will not be a Warranty Underwritten by any external Insurance Company, just the Dealer getting someone with a Boiler Suit to bodge a repair, change a clutch or fit some cr4p turbo they can find on Ebay.)

 

That is something more than you get when you hand your cash money across to a private seller.

You have someone to return to with your Local Trading Standards.

 

As to a Cherished Number being Transfered,

as the DVLA are in a bigger backlog then usual,

The Important thing was the vRS Legit on the Personal Plate at the time the Dealer took the car in, and will it get assigned a new number.

 

Questions that need answered by the seller,

but you need to know what to ask in the first place.

Cat D could have just been Stolen Recovered and not necessarily in an accident.

Stolen, missing for ages, parts nicked/stripped/trashed and then recovered.

Nicked trashed and recovered a few hours later, and uneconomic for the Insurance company to repair.

Bargains are there to be had, thankfully while some would not touch something with another persons Barge Pole.

 

george