Cat D - Downsides

Adam · 2 May 2008 at 14:24

I have always avoided cars that have been in an accident previously as I have always been looking for cars in fantastic condition. Now my needs have changed somewhat and I am looking for a cheap runabout.

Got a couple of people coming to look at my Clio at the weekend so I am confident that I will find a buyer. I therefore need to find another car in the mean time.

Stumbled across a Mondeo ST24 but it is a Cat D. Seems relatively cheap (<£1500) but just wondering what the implications are of owning an insurance write off. It is entirely possible that I may own this car just for a month or so before selling it. Is it more hassle than it's worth? If I could get the car cheap enough (i.e. £1k) would it be worthwhile?

I imagine it won't be as easy to sell the car with it being a write off previously, however, I am hoping that if I get it cheap enough in the first place this shouldn't be an issue.

Any thoughts?

paradigm · 2 May 2008 at 14:26

Buying to run into the ground, CAT C & D = value (so long as repaired properly)

Buying knowing you will need to sell on in a month or so = more hastle than its worth with CAT C & D.

therealnerd2 · 2 May 2008 at 14:33

You don't need to buy a CAT D to get an ST24 for < £1.5k

Lead_Head · 2 May 2008 at 14:34

Whats up with the 172!!?

Ed · 2 May 2008 at 14:34

Adam said:
Now my needs have changed somewhat and I am looking for a cheap runabout.

Adam said:
Stumbled across a Mondeo ST24.

Cheap to buy or cheap to run?

Adam · 2 May 2008 at 14:57

Ed said:
Cheap to buy or cheap to run?

Buy.

Lead_Head said:
Whats up with the 172!!?

Selling as I want to free up some money for a house deposit or if that isn't likely to happen in the next few months get something different.

moss · 2 May 2008 at 14:58

therealnerd2 said:
You don't need to buy a CAT D to get an ST24 for < £1.5k

Aye, I paid under £1.5k for my 1997 ST24, had 112k on the clock, currently got about 121k on and has been totally reliable *touch wood*. Condition wise bodywork isnt 100% perfect, but its far far from bad. Interior is very good and everything works including the aircon.
Cheap to buy, although mine is mainly driven around town so it doesnt give great MPG. I only bought it while the pug was off the road, but im likely to keep it and run it till it dies now.

Glaucus · 2 May 2008 at 14:59

Cat D are great if your planning to run it for years.

rG-tom · 2 May 2008 at 14:59

a cat d st24 should be ~£1k for a gooden really. As previously mentioned dont underestimate the running costs, it'll drink a lot more fuel than you're used to, cost more to fix when things go wrong, more to go wrong etc. Good cars though

Adam · 2 May 2008 at 15:00

AcidHell2 said:
Cat D are great if your planning to run it for years.

How about if I got it soo cheaply that it wouldn't matter if I sold it for what I paid for in 1/2 months time?

The car in question is a 1999/V ST24 with 100k on the clock.

Glaucus · 2 May 2008 at 15:01

Adam said:
How about if I got it soo cheaply that it wouldn't matter if I sold it for what I paid for in 1/2 months time?

Also good. My current car is a cat D and I could have sold it for a small profit straight away. Almost wish I did now.

rG-tom · 2 May 2008 at 15:02

for £1500? that should be a good value reasonable condition 100k miler, deffo wouldnt pay that for a Cat D

therealnerd2 · 2 May 2008 at 15:03

Adam said:
How about if I got it soo cheaply that it wouldn't matter if I sold it for what I paid for in 1/2 months time?

The car in question is a 1999/V ST24 with 100k on the clock.

Don't overestimate the value of these cars - It had better be in fantastic condition

Adam · 2 May 2008 at 15:10

Hmm seems like the general consensus is that this isn't a good idea! Well < £1500 was a rough price, i'd be looking to offer him £1000'ish.

May just stick to a bog standard mondeo to be honest, seem less hassle and much cheaper running costs.

Possibility that I may have the car for a short period just to get me to the station and back.

Tesla · 2 May 2008 at 16:22

If you want a car for one month why not sell your clio in a months time?

Adam · 2 May 2008 at 16:49

Tesla said:
If you want a car for one month why not sell your clio in a months time?

Because I want to sell it now :confused:

Besides, I only need a car to get me from A-B until I know exactly what I am doing regarding a property I have my eye on. From then... who knows

I'd kick myself if I didn't have the sufficient deposit for the property just because I didn't sell my car in time.

[TW]Fox · 2 May 2008 at 18:51

Adam said:
I have always avoided cars that have been in an accident previously as I have always been looking for cars in fantastic condition. Now my needs have changed somewhat and I am looking for a cheap runabout.

How strange. Cat D cars are just as likely to be in fantastic condition as non Cat D cars, infact if anything they are more likely to be fantastic condition as they'll have had fresh paintwork more recently!

The only reason not to buy a Cat D car is:

a) You are concerned about resale value
b) You are concerned about the quality of the repair

If you are concerned about neither of these then go for it.

As for your reason for sale - I dont see how selling a £3-5k Clio and buying a £1500 Mondeo is going to free up money for a house deposit. You'll free up what, 2-3k? Where is that going in a house deposit other than nowhere?