Selling A Category 'C' Write-off

Enfield · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:40

Hi there.

I'm selling my Peugeot 205 to Westy and am wondering what to do really.

The car is declared as SORN and the insurance company have written it off as it's beyond economical repair, (£1938.75 even though they missed out the bonnet, both headlamps and the exhaust).

Do I have to inform the DVLA that it's written off or do the insurance company do that? When my 306 was written off my insurance company informed the DVLA for me but they also got rid of the car for me whereas this time I have to get rid of it myself.

Can I just sell the car like normal?

Cheers.

Slime101 · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:45

When an insurance company writes it off they own it, cos they pay you out - check with them before selling it as it might not be yours to sell.

Otherweise, unless its being destroyed you just complete it as a normal sale, however if its being crushed/broken for parts then fill in that part of the V5

Enfield · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:52

"Following the engineers inspection we are advised that the vehicle is beyond economical repair. A copy of the report is attached for your reference.

They have placed a pre-accident value of £545.00 upon your vehicle less a salvage value of £0.00, leaving a net figure of £545.00.

Please confirm in writing wheather or not you agree the valuation placed on your vehicle. If so, you should take steps to dispose of the salvage immediately and let us know how much you receive for the remains.

Any accounts for storage charges should be paid and the receipted invoice passed to us in order that we may include these in your claim. Please note that if you do not dispose of the vehicle immediately then ongoing storage charges will not be paid by the insurers of the other driver.

These values are put forward at this stage, without an admission of liability."

This was from my legal assistance provided with my crappy insurance company.

Slime101 · 31 Jan 2006 at 16:57

So they offer you £545 and expect you to do the disposal - thats pants.

Firstly argue the car was worth more, and secondly its normal that they are responsible for the car when its written off - question why this isnt the case.

kaiowas · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:02

Certainly looks strangely worded. Did you discuss salvage rights with them at all? At first it looks like they have given you the salvage rights at zero cost but then they appear to expect you to dispose of the car and also take an interest in how much you get for it. (I'd be wary of telling them in case they try to deduct this figure from your payout).

If you haven't already I'd certainly get onto the phone and clarify whether or not you are getting ownership of the remains to do with as you see fit.

Enfield · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:03

Slime101 said:
So they offer you £545 and expect you to do the disposal - thats pants.

Firstly argue the car was worth more, and secondly its normal that they are responsible for the car when its written off - question why this isnt the case.

I've already agreed to the price. I only paid £450 it and it had done 137,000 miles so i'm happy.

They're a lazy insurance company. First I imformed my insurance company and they wouldn't do anything. Then I tried to put a claim in through the 3rd parties insurance company and they kept giving me different numbers, wrong numbers and kept going back to the beginning of the loop. So then I used my legal assistance and we're getting somewhere.

The accident happened on 2nd December and I only received the sum they are willing to pay out 2 days ago!!

Tesla · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:20

Enfield, sell the car to Westy for £1 officially.

They will probably deduct the salvage value from your claim, it's an odd way of doing it though,

-westy- · 31 Jan 2006 at 23:37

Tesla said:
Enfield, sell the car to Westy for £1 officially.

They will probably deduct the salvage value from your claim, it's an odd way of doing it though,

I think this would be right, its best to clarify what you're doing with the car with the insurance company.

Its being broken for parts, so i'm not sure if they'd be interested?

Tesla · 1 Feb 2006 at 00:03

If you break it I expect they will want to know what you get.

I bought my mondeo for £60 from the salvage people.

I expect to make back 10x that but god am I putting in a load of time and effort, in this FREEZING weather too, not nice but worth it in long run.