Cat C / D experience

[eddypeck]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has any specific experience with Cat C and D cars and hows it's listed on V5.

I know the classifications have changes but I have a car which has a historic write off so would be on the old system.

The V5 just states:

"This vehicle has been salvaged because the estimated cost of commercial repair was more than the value of the vehicle"

But it doesn't say which category.
Clearly if it was A or B then I wouldn't have it, so it's either C or D. 

There seems to be some opinion online that D would not be recored on the V5, in which case it must be Cat C but in typical internet style there's many opinions. And people say Cat D did change to be recored, which makes sense. Someone suggested Cat C would say "This vehicle has been substantially repaired" so that might suggest the wording I have might be Cat D.


It also states "non-transferable registration mark" I assume that's because of the write off. Shame, as it's a quite a cool reg.

No particular reason other than personal interest, I'm not looking to sell the car or transfer the reg, just wondering.

[chippie]

Wouldn't it be better getting it straight from the horses mouth so to speak?
Ask DVLA....they/insurance companies make the rules dont they?

[trickydicky]

Oct 15, 2020 13:55:23 GMT 1 eddypeck said:

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has any specific experience with Cat C and D cars and hows it's listed on V5.

I know the classifications have changes but I have a car which has a historic write off so would be on the old system.

The V5 just states:

"This vehicle has been salvaged because the estimated cost of commercial repair was more than the value of the vehicle"

But it doesn't say which category.
Clearly if it was A or B then I wouldn't have it, so it's either C or D. 

There seems to be some opinion online that D would not be recored on the V5, in which case it must be Cat C but in typical internet style there's many opinions. And people say Cat D did change to be recored, which makes sense. Someone suggested Cat C would say "This vehicle has been substantially repaired" so that might suggest the wording I have might be Cat D.


It also states "non-transferable registration mark" I assume that's because of the write off. Shame, as it's a quite a cool reg.

No particular reason other than personal interest, I'm not looking to sell the car or transfer the reg, just wondering.

Not much money in dealing in them financially of course, but if it's just a fairly worthless car that has had cosmetic repairs "that weren't economically viable" because of its book value and its in good shape, not really an issue if your going to run it as a banger

If its had structural damage or its something modern with extensive SRS repairs etc

Keep looking, not worth the aggro or expense

I know an Asian lad who buys luxury stuff like damaged Porsches to sell on, and it's really hard work to make any money at it (and he is really good and knows what he is doing, does it more for the challenge than anything else).

[remmington]

"This vehicle has been salvaged because the estimated cost of commercial repair was more than the value of the vehicle"


This should read "car has damage but can be sold at Copart for 75% of its retail value - the insurers only have to pay car owner 15-20% of the balance to the car value - it became salvage becasue it was cheaper for the insurers to sell if off for salvage than repair it".


So if you really read it - it is nothing to with the % value of the repair - it is how much it will make for salvage that decides if it a write off".


Then there is transport anbd courtessy car costs to add in to the sum. The actual cost of the repair is meaningless nowadays.


Insurers are also removing owner buy back options as well. Unless you live in remote area of the country (long lorry ride from an online auction site).



All is not what is seems in the world of "write off cars".

[Rhubarb]

Eddypeck. It's a Cat C.

It should be written on the bottom front of the V5

[eddypeck]

Oct 16, 2020 0:31:58 GMT 1 Rhubarb said:

Eddypeck. It's a Cat C.

It should be written on the bottom front of the V5

No it dosen't say, that's why I wondered. New style V5. 

I know they've changed the style of the V5 a few times in recent years so perhaps since they changed the classification maybe they removed it as technically Cat C no longer exists.
But it's neither of the new categories as it was written off years back so the criteria wouldn't be the same. 

And just to clarify, I already own the car, I have done for just over a year. I was aware of the write off at time of purchase and paid a price relative to this. But the previous owner was unclear of the details also as it was before his ownership.
The damage was to rear quarter, and has been repaired to a decent standard, you wouldn't know it's there unless you know where to look. You can't tell form the outside anyway.

I was just out to satisfy my own curiosity. I don't intend to sell anytime soon.

Thanks for the replies.

[Joepublic]

HPI check would reveal all?

[Noberator]

Just my twopenneth on the subject.

For Category C and Category D vehicles it is important for owners to ensure that they declare the written off status of their car to their insurers when first insuring the vehicle.

Failure to do so may invalidate their insurance cover in the event of a claim.

There are six different write-off categories although only four are currently used.

Categories A and B can’t be repaired and should be destroyed, whereas C, D, N, and S are roadworthy if the correct repairs are made.


If anybody wants to know what they mean and what you can or can't do I'll do my best to mention every Category old and new.

[eddypeck]

Thanks, and yes the insurance co are aware. 
They said it made no difference to the cost, but it is noted.