disrupta

Right im looking at a cat 1 car alarm for my car on ebay, if i buy one of these second hand, can i still get it fitted, and get the certificate to prove that it has a cat 1 alarm, on for my insurance company

Sigma Sam

Mmmm.... where to begin with the problems that could befall you!

- Although physically possible to fit a second hand system, Thatcham Cat 1's have numerous black wires to make interfering with the wiring once installed difficult. The installer will need require information from the alarm system's manufacturer regarding pin-outs to identify which wire does what - this info would only be disclosed to an authourised dealer and not a member of the general public.

- A second hand loom will have been cut to fit the vehicle it was installed to, so unless a new loom is used any point where the wires need lengthening for the new vehicle will introduce additional joins which ideally should be kept to a minimum.

- Following on from point 1, an authourised dealer for the supplied alarm system is bound to be reluctant to fit a product bought elsewhere, particularly a second hand product which may even prove to be faulty once installed. I would get a quote to fit the system before buying it, you may find that it is more cost effective to have an authorised dealer supply and fit a system with a guarantee.

- With regard the certificate of installation, an alarm specialist ought to be able to supply one of these, however, if the product is second hand is it still a listed Cat 1 product? Delisted Cat 1 systems (no longer manufactured etc) do not qualify for insurance approval as a Cat 1 system and so should not be re-fitted.

Hope thats some help,
SS