Written off Cars!?

Question

I have been offered a 2001 car which was a Cat D write off but has been professionally repaired, inspected and MOT'd. It is from a car dealer that I have known for years and is a bargain at £2,500 when the book price is around £6,500. Can anybody honestly tell me whether it is worth buying a previously written off car. Are there any problems that I could encounter. Can you be refused insurance or charged extortionate premium? I know the car wont be of the normal value if I wanted to sell it on, but I am looking to run it into the ground as I do with all my cars. Has anyone bought a written off car and had problems with it? Any honest advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Consult with your insurance company first. Many will only provide TPO on Cat-D rebuilds.

It's always risky -- and the MOT doesn't mean F-All as most of the faults in a dodgy rebuild aren't tested anyway. Such errors as running a full weld bead where the original seam was tack-welded can make for an extremely unsafe vehicle in a collision as it won't properly deform and protect you as the manufacturer intended.

A "professional" repair only means that the geezer that did the work got paid for it. It does NOT mean that he was an expert.

Answer 2

Most people are really negative about written off cars. My father in law has run one for 8 years, having taken the same decision as you.

If it is from a reputable source and they are giving you a guarantee, then it should be no worse than buying any other car. You may find that you get the odd squeek or rattle, but for a car to go back on the road as a Cat D write off, it simply can't just be bodged together, there is a process of inspection and approval (although not everyone here agrees).

Do check with your insurers, but they shouldn't charge because it has been repaired properly. They will probably only insure you for the lessor value not the book price.

If you are happy with the supply, the car and insurance, then go for it, even if the odd thing does go wrong it is costing you significantly less and things do go wrong with cars anyway!!

Answer 3

I personally would NOT buy a car that has been a cat D write off, I must have been in a real bad mess, it does not matter what you do to it repair wise it will never be the same, the weldings are to be suspicious on any vehicle that has had to be repaired but on this vehicle,,,????
It must have cost a lot of money to repair and the price does not seem to be enough to cover the cost

Answer 4

It all depends on the quality of work. We buy them and turn them into NYC cabs and fleet cars to be used by cities around america. Many insurance companies will not insure them for collision coverage and many will not insure them at all. It's really a hit or miss situation if you do not really know the shop that did the rebuild. Have someone check it mechanically and put it on lift.

Answer 5

if the car has been repaired by a qualified body repairer and inspected go for it ! its worth it realy , as your goin to run it into the ground there is no other problems like resale do it boy !all insurance companys will insure the car prviding its been done properly and has a full mot done on it ,

Answer 6

Buy it at that price