Jamescsti

So I've been looking at purchasing a new car, well new to me.
I really want a focus st and I've seen one in particular that is an st3 with leather and all extras at a good price at a garage, my ideal spec really only missing sat nav.
Anyway it's a cat D write off, I know broadly what that means but I'm more interested in how easy are they to insure? I know I wouldn't get the same value in a crash and it would be worth less to sell on, but are insurance companies generally ok with giving insurance on the vehicles?

Also do these cars have to have some kind of inspection done over an mot for them to be put back on the road?

Thanks

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Never had any issues with Cat D cars and insurance and they don't need any inspections at all.

Cat C cars do though, after being made roadworthy again.

500

Cat D can be somthing as minor as a scratch or small cosmetic bump but more likely to be stolen recovered being a Focus ST. I wouldn't worry too much

Ant

Don't worry about it they wrote my JDM MY94 for a dent in the wing (beyond econmical repair)

Jamescsti

I'm quite optimistic about cat d now having researched some other sites too, I plan on keeping it for some time and really building it up anyway into a weapon so it probably makes no difference.
I was going to go back to scoobys but the insurance is crazy for example

I'm 31 with 10 yrs no claims, no points as they have dropped off and no blame worthy accidents
02 wrx standard without modifications quoted £1150

06 focus st standard without modifications £625.

Crazy how insurance companies hear Subaru and just want to analy abuse you.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Insurance is fine. Usually don't even bat an eyelid.

Hint; put the registration number into google...sometimes it may come up with the result of a salvage auctioner, which will have pics of the car before it was repaired. If its a expired link...try google cache

Just bear in mind the insured value to put against it is less than non-cat d car, so make sure you do not pay over the odds for the car no matter how nice. Because of the stigma attached they can be a problem selling on and part exchanging regardless of how good a condition it is in.

Physically speaking the cars can be mint...I mean it could just be a stolen (with keys) recovered with a few scuffs but the owner was already paid out by the insuere...hence written-off.

The whole systems need overhauling IMO as its grossly unfair to cars with minor damage.

ozzreid1964

iTrader: (32)

this was cheap and didn't sell by the looks of it may be worth contacting

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1108640070...84.m1423.l2649

karl.hughes

When I looked at cat d's insurance wasn't a problem but if I had any type of claim they would only pay out scrap value on the car, also you have to inform them of the cat rating by not doing so would invalidate your insurance.
The right car can be a bargain if repaired correctly, Can be difficult to move on only pay 65-70% of market value.
One problem I had on a cat d I owned, when I went to the main dealer the car had been deleted from database so spares became difficult to source.

Jamescsti

Looking at the new st's not the old st170's. Thanks though.

Jamescsti

Good tip, I tried and it didn't return anything, was worth a shot though.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Technically not totally correct; They need to prove you knew beforehand to invalidate it.

As cat Ds don't show anywhere on documentation people, do buy them without knowing they are cat D.

I know as I drove one round for two years as I bought it off a so called "mate"...he didn't tell me, and I didn't HPi it. It was only when I part-ex'd it I found out as the dealer did a HPi.

In that time I put in a claim in for cracked bumper from a car park hit and run.

Luan Pra bang

Cat D's can be OK but the newer the car the worse the crash was and some repairs i have seen were comedy when you look under the surface. Beware though that they can be a nightmare to sell, so don't look for any residual value. You should be looking at 35% cheaper than a non cat d car as a minimum. Some traders knock a car 50% if its a CAT D as it takes so much for effort to sell.

2000 sport

iTrader: (1)

I'd check some other specs before you write off the idea of a Scoob..

When I was buying my last Scoob, I found that my STi Prodrive was considerably cheaper to insure than a std WRX wagon..

RJM25R

iTrader: (1)

Not true. they have to give you market value of a cat d, and you don't have to tell your insurers, as you might not know,

skyinsurance

iTrader: (3)

It wont be a problem but the vehicle value will be effected.

http://www.skyinsurance.co.uk/car-club-insurance.html

GC8

Affected, not effected. More correctly it may be affected, but if the dented wing used as an example abobe was repaired using by a dealer using anew part, then the status alone doesnt affect the vehciles value.

Making assumptions based of ABI category would be a mistake too - Copart had a BMW with the roof chopped off for aution recently, and it was recorded as ABI category D!

Ive seen slaughtered cars out to mend, and cars with a dent with destruction orders...

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

Simon can you ring me please been trying to get hold of you.

GC8

I dont have your endlessly changing telephone number - send me a message.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

I have text it to you

GC8

To where though? Email me, as you never keep your numbers up to date and I havent received it on my mobile, or on my house phone, where you usually send text messages.

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

GC8

Ive deleted my FB a/c Micky - I should have told the few people left before doing so, but forgot.

karl.hughes

According to need to insure this is exactly what they will offer.
I was looking at buying a wr1 cat d before buying I spoke to them they told me "the cars value upon accident/claim would be based on parts value only".
So what your saying is lie to your insurance company as the potential buyer is aware of the cat d registration.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

ive pmd you on here

Jamescsti

Thanks for the advice so far guys, just wondering will a hpi check show why a car is a cat D eg will it say stolen/ recovered, accident etc?

The Zohan

The important thing is to establish why it was Cat D'd especially when the car has a decent value. Obviously if a 10K will have had a lot more damage/serious problems than a 1k car and i would walk away from any car that did not have pics/written explanation backed up by the receipts for the costs/scope of work carried out.

Best speak to your broker and explain the car is a cat d and they will explain the implications re insurance. Remember that the car will have a lower sale price and that has a knock on effect when you come to sell it as well.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

I know a fella (facebook) who has a ferrari which is a cat D they wrote it off for a cracked bumper, fair enough it wasnt a cheap repair it was a replacement bumper, but thats just silly its a 348 gts iirc

Jamescsti

As luck would have it another focus st3 has come up for sale only 4 miles from my house which is not a cat d and only £500 more than the cat d focus although it has a few more miles. Only problem is its red.

Jamescsti

Just a quick update.
I ended up buying a red focus st3 which is not a cat d or anything like.
Wasn't sure about the colour but it's grown on me and the price was good.
Just needs the wheels refurb

Thanks for all the advice.