26 replies to this topic

[Major Burkenshaw]

Not meaning to be rude, but thats complete rubish.

Every crash, every car, every insurance company and every case is different. Just because it worked out well for you doesn't mean it will for everyone. In general, it will affect a car's value and its economic future to have a write off recorded against it. That's why I said generally. Were you using a Mini specialist insurer or a classic policy? Were you using an agreed value policy? General policies normally won't like a write off any more than they do a roll cage. A lot depends on how recently the write off was recorded, the longer a car has been safely on the road after a write off and the more times it has been MOT'd the lower the difference in perceived value. Some insurers will require an engineers inspection to insure a cat C, as a VIC and MOT don't really check the car over fully. Cat C would cover a very wide range of damage, if the car was quite old when it was written off and didn't have agreed value it could be written off by a badly mashed wing as Minis don't have bolt on bodywork and they need actual work done to fix them. Then again it could be in need of a reshell. As I said, every case is different.

Non-specalist insurance, no agreed value, engineers report both times, had been on the road 3 months before second accident. Engineer didn't even open the car up to examine it fully.

Maybe I was just lucky. Or maybe mass generalisation is wrong

[Senile Old Git]

Interesting thread!

The words "write off" sends shudders down peoples spines, so get the car all up together but do not spend shed loads on it. Those two words devalue the car by at least 50%, so a £4,000 late Cooper is worth £2,000 when its Cat C

When you want to build something special and retain value, never base it on a "write off" whatever the category

[JoeMcb]

Does the VIC check the colour of the car? I have a cat C car that ive just repaired, but i want to get it sprayed before i take it to MOT. will a different colour cause unnessary hassle?

[tuktuk]

isnt cat C an MOT *or* VIC check ? im posotive thats what my assesor said after crashing mine

anyways, im in the process of repairing, and meanwhile changing the engine, would that not pass the VIC check ? or can i vouch that the engine was fubbered and had to be changed ?

[Guess-Works.com]

I was always under the impression that a VIC was more than just an Identity Check... ( never been through one so don't know ) but on both the forms and from what I've seen through these tele progs dealing with repairing write offs the check has included an inspection of the repair and that it is of an appropriate standard...

It is also mentioned in the VOSA documentation, that you are not allowed to watch a VIC check, so how does anyone actually know what they look for, unless of course you actually do this as a job...

Yes, a CAT C car will always be tagged with the fact it's been written off, both on a HPI check and also the registration document. This devalues the vehicle when compared to the same vehicle which has not had accident repair

[Jammy]

This devalues the vehicle when compared to the same vehicle which has not had accident repair

Or devalues it against the same vehicle that has had the same crash repaired damage only not through an insurance claim.

[Guess-Works.com]

This devalues the vehicle when compared to the same vehicle which has not had accident repair

Or devalues it against the same vehicle that has had the same crash repaired damage only not through an insurance claim.

Which I'm not sure is a good thing...

[mini_kel]

What damage is done to the car any pics?

[imabitnaughtyxx]

with a mini i would not be worried, you can replace everything on a mini and you can get full resale value wether its cat c or not, its up to the buyer. Saying it devalues a mini by 50% is pure tripe.
Its a buyers market. I would have no concerns buying a car that has had cat c damage.
If i was paying over £1000 for any car i would have a full RAC inspection anyhow, and then make an informed decision.
If i like a car i will pay the asking price. Im sure many other mini owners feel the same way.
If we were talking about a £20k BMW then hey i might not be so keen, but a mini?
Lets get real for a change hey guys? there are minis full of rot driving around that are frankly, damn dangerous, worn out parts, hazards waiting to happen,covered in layers of filler and paint, then theres the restored cat c write off no rot mostly new parts......like my manfred for instance, 80% brand new?
I know what id prefer.

Edited by imabitnaughtyxx, 04 February 2008 - 11:40 AM.

[Ethel]

That's mostly true Imabitnaughty.

But Cat C is still a stigma, it will put some buyers off and others, me included , would look at it as leverage to get the price down. Actually, I think I'd be more inclined to go for a write off because it could be be better value.

[mini_kel]

That's mostly true Imabitnaughty.

But Cat C is still a stigma, it will put some buyers off and others, me included , would look at it as leverage to get the price down. Actually, I think I'd be more inclined to go for a write off because it could be be better value.

If u think about most minis have been in some sort of accident would be nice to know the % though,U would`nt know if it`s say an old cooper as it will not be recorded so as long as the job is done correctly then it doesn`t matter!

[imabitnaughtyxx]

Mine has no recorded accidents whatsoever, but i know its been reshelled twice because of damage, as i have the paperwork, some insurance details dont go back as far as 1979 you see.
You have to weigh up the pros and cons.
If you are looking to restore anyway and the car is currently in its damaged condition, its no different that buying a shot rustbucket full of filler from a private sale. Either way youll be chucking money at it in the short term.