Would you consider a Cat.C write off?

2Thumbs · 6 Nov 2010 at 19:45

I'm going to look at a car tomorrow that I was strongly considering buying. It's well below market value and after I made sure it was still available, I had a HPI check done on it.

Turns out it's a Category C write off and passed it's VIC check in January of this year, although the seller didn't mention it in either the description or on the phone. If he actually knew this and didn't let on, this is another matter. But it should be on the V5...

Obviously I'll be viewing it with a very critical eye. But I'd like to know if anyone would think about buying such a car, or if anyone had and what sort of experiences they have had. As it's passed a VIC I'm assuming everything is above board?

Thanks in advance.

2Thumbs · 6 Nov 2010 at 20:03

2001 Fiesta Zetec S.

Having had a good think over the last hour, I reckon I'll leave it. Tried ringing the seller just now but there's no answer so will try again later.

Thanks for the advice. It's the thought of trying to sell it on again that worries me.

2Thumbs · 6 Nov 2010 at 20:13

Just rang the seller. He seemed shocked to say the least.

Never mind though. Plenty more cars out there!

2Thumbs · 6 Nov 2010 at 21:05

marcus_667 said:
id consider it as long as it was all in good order and the price reflected the fact its a cat c

It didn't.

The price was very good had it not been a past write-off. But being one, it was too much (IMO) and the seller said the price was non-negotiable. So I left it at that.

2Thumbs · 7 Nov 2010 at 14:35

It was up for £1295, which is a few hundred less than what they typically are up for sale for with the mileage and history.

It wasn't so much the fact it's a cat.c but more that the seller never mentioned it. Fair enough he's only had it since July, but it should be on the V5.

I would have kept it for a year, maybe two. That's also why I went against it.

2Thumbs · 7 Nov 2010 at 14:46

Sorry for lacking financial means but £1300 (seller said price was non-negotiable, and that he already had someone interested in the car at asking) is a lot of money for me to pay for a car. So I'd rather have the piece of mind that what I'm buying hasn't been binned at some point.

The point of a high value car not hitting the radar is a valid one, but not for my personal situation.

And what's to say it was just cosmetic damage? Could have required suspension/steering work as well. Or would that sort of thing have made it a Cat.B?

2Thumbs · 7 Nov 2010 at 15:02

£600 a year for what? Depreciation? Or all running costs included?

I sold my car last week for £500 and I'd lost £100 on it over 18 months.