Does Cat C really matter?

Combat squirrel

Combat squirrel

Combat squirrel

Soldato
Joined
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As title, I've found a van I really want, it all checks out, looks in great condition, I can't see what's wrong with it - chassie is fine - but its Cat C - can't find out what happened to it --- what damage are we talking here? 'Fatal' or ?

I have found several vague explainations of what Cat C is - but, does it really matter THAT much ?

From hearing from friends I have heard most insurance companies write them off for the smallest most absurd thing - but im not sure how far a Cat C damage issue could extend.... ?
 
I'd not consider it unless there was a damage report and receipt of repairs carried out to be honest, plus it'd need to be well under market value so you don't lose again when it comes to re-selling.
 
Cat C is usually structural damage. I'd beware without documentation. It's worth about 50% of market value, and you might have complications getting insurance.
 
Sometimes it's fine, sometimes not. People will buy cat C for track car builds etc where they will be changing a lot of parts anyway. I wouldn't trust it on the road unless the repair was done by the manufacturer to OEM spec.
 
I thought they changed the categorys recently c and d have been replaced with S and N.

Cat C/S means it’s suffered some form of structural damage.

Seen some cars with damaged back bumpers or damaged doors etc.

however if repaired correctly there isn’t nothing to worry about, the future resale value won’t be as high and some insurers may refuse to insure.
 
depends on the value of the vehicle, on something relatively new then i wouldn't go near it, but on older vehicles you dent a bumper and it could qualify as a cat c.

edit: unless what schoeyuk says is true in which case listen to him.
 
Cat C & D are entirely down to the cost of the claim, not just the repairs, nothing to do with the amount of damage or the effect it has on the integrity of the vehicle.

I've had a car declared a Cat C write off just on cosmetic damage to one panel. I was still driving about in it a year later, in it's unpaired state.

EDIT:

OK i lied it was 2 panels,
neonfail.JPG
 
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K.C. Leblanc said:
Cat C & D are entirely down to the cost of the claim, not just the repairs, nothing to do with the amount of damage or the effect it has on the integrity of the vehicle.

I've had a car declared a Cat C write off just on cosmetic damage to one panel. I was still driving about in it a year later, in it's unpaired state.
Click to expand...

Indeed Cat C was normally the repairs are more than the car's market value (or 80% I believe), and Cat D the repairs would cost a substantial amount of the car's value (30-50% depending on insurer).

As mentioned above though, the categories have now been changed to
S - Structurally Damaged Repairable
N - Non Structurally Damaged Repairable
 
Great advice thanks guys

Its a Renault Trucks Master 2013 6 speed 2.3 - 117k - ex courior - FSH (because company owned it had a full regular service as they do)

Both me and me dad (super knowledgable fella), think its alright, gut says its alright somehow - hard to explain! lol - all the docs check out, however it was declared a 'total loss'. But its just not that on inspection.........unless they rebuilt it from scratch !!! lol INC the chassie! lol

Current plan:

1) Get government mandated Vehicle Identity Check
2) Seller says he will MOT it tomorrow (which I believe cannot happen without point 1?)
3) If I have point 1 my insurance cost shouldn't be affected
4) Source repairs paperwork

Took on a test drive - its rock solid, drives like a car, solid.

It's catch 22 - pot luck as well.
 
It's only when you're in an accident and it folds / tears in half that you'll wish you bought a good one.

You're literally putting a price on your safety, and that price is pretty low.
 
Armageus said:
Indeed Cat C was normally the repairs are more than the car's market value
Click to expand...

This is a long time ago, when I was young naive and thought owning a Chrysler Neon was cool (it wasn't just because it cost £1,200 and a Focus the same age and spec was over £3,000). Basically Cat meant the car was worth less then the cost of the total claim. Cat D meant it wasn't, but the insurers either wanted to write the car off because it was easier or because there was enough value in the salvage to make writing the car off a cheaper option.
 
I've caused Cat C damage and I don't think I'd buy a Cat C car.

e; To add, I'm very close friends with members in the Polide & NHS and knowing the state some of their cars have been in a crash and then have subsequently been repaired - These companies will push to have vehicles repaired...
 
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