starlight32 Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Been out car hunting today and went to look at one at a dealers which was a cat c damaged/repaired. Anyone one on here give me any pointers on whether this is a good move? Funny thing is I would never had known until I had a gander at the log book and noticed it was stamped up as such and questioned it with the salesman. I will admit the car's price for its age (06 plate) was reflected in this and will say it was a professional repair. The salesman told me it had been repaired and they are duly inspected for roadworthyness when done. Just to me there has to be a catch in all this, such as resale value and all the like. Anyone got any info on this? plus does anyone know the different loss categories? Regards starlight32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Harnser's probably your best bet for this. He's offered to help me in the past with buying cars at auction and this seems to be right up his street. Either that or try the Essex Mafia. They seem to make a living doing dodgy cut and shut deals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 I think youve answerd yourself here in that the catch is retail value. I would only do it if I knew the body shop that had done the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Give it a swerve and get yourself down a decent auction house - most give limited warranties etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Give it a swerve and get yourself down a decent auction house - most give limited warranties etc I am working in Tilbury all week, do you think if I ask around one of your bretheren will fix me something up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 I am working in Tilbury all week, do you think if I ask around one of your bretheren will fix me something up? Plenty of old bangers in Tilbury You might pick up a cheap motor too, if you're lucky!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) I wouldnt go any where near it . It will have the stigma of being a right off for the rest of its life and will be difficult to re sell when you want to move it on . Some cars look as if they have had very minor damage when written off by insurance companys ,but are written off for good reason . Dont touch it . If the dealer was up front with you he would have told you about the cars history without you having to find out by looking at the log book . If you want a cheap car ,the place to buy at the moment is at the reputable national car auctions . They cater for the private punter and it is safe to buy from them . I have bought all my cars and family and friends cars from auctionc over the past twenty years and have never bought an old dog . The only cars that you should be thinking about buying at auction are those that come direct from main dealers .These are mainly trade in vechcles but they will also dispose of stock cars that they have been unable to sell . The auctioneer will will say direct from such and such a main dealer . These cars do tend to make more money at auction than the run of the mill old bits of shrapnell ,but a lot cheaper than from a dealer . I f you want to see the the true value of a car then go to an auction a watch the prices . Hopes this helps . Harnser . Starlight there is an auction close to you at colchester manhiem at fratting , An excellent auction and i have bought several cars ther in the past . If you want to buy from there let me know and i will come along and hold your hand . Harnser . Edited March 22, 2009 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonevo Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 The only problem buying at a manhiem auction is they screw you for buyers premium and indemnity charges,BUT if you get someone in the trade to buy it for you this FEE is WAIVED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennym Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 The only problem buying at a manhiem auction is they screw you for buyers premium and indemnity charges,BUT if you get someone in the trade to buy it for you this FEE is WAIVED No disrespect but if your going to give advice ... make sure your right,....... there are three levels of buyers fees at Manheim, National buyer, trade buyer, & buyer who gets it up the chuff for charges (or privet buyer) Although the £25 document fee is not paid by trade buyers this is the least of it, there are still big fees, also you no longer get a legal indemnity for private buyers its now a financial guarantee in practice not much difference but you need ID to buy and documents are sent to the dvla on your behalf you cant get them. only cars that are Manheim guaranteed have a limited three day warranty which is by no means exhaustive, but you are never safe buying at auction its a mine field, you can be lucky in fact most are but it can all go bad very quickly you cant drive the cars so there is any number of things that could be wrong Most importantly the auctioneers are very shrewd professionals if you not a known face, or you walk round with a parkers guide or auction sheet you will end up bidding against some one who doesn't exist...... they are Masters at running the bids Ken....................... (bought hundreds of cars a year from Manheim for 28 years & Mrs kennym works there) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 I worked at a vehicle dismantlers yard about 6 years ago-a lot of the lads bought written off cars and got the bits trade and sold them on-some cars (tends to be the more common ones) are written off for stupid reasons and its normally the cost of parts that make them a write off and not any structural damage-BMW headlights can run at £450 each-so a light frontal on a 5 year old car if the airbags inflate would be borderline .Some of the most stupid i came across involved cars that had been in water-once the water level exceeds the axle the car is a write off!!!!!!!!!! I think everyone should do a stint in these places-you will soon realise that cars have very little value once damaged-i wouldnt hesitate in buying one-ok so you lose when you sell but then you pay a pittance for it in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 I wouldnt touch one with a barge pole. Cars are difficult enough to sell at the moment, it might have been repaired really well but many people (including me) would be put off by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dweeb Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 I agree with bruno once a car is damaged it has little value. If your careful what your buying you can save a few quid. I've done a couple of the years and have never had my fingers burnt. My advice would be to take somebody with you who is in the repair trade - that way there should be minimal hidden costs. Dweeb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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