Hi
I am thinking of looking at a 2002 Volvo that was classed as a Category D write off following an accident.
The car was subsequently repaired and the owner has the paperwork. Bbut it wasn't carried out by a Volvo garage as it was these costs being high that lead the insurance company to write it off in the first place.
Please can you advise what Cat D is and if it is worth following up. It is priced at £3,250 and is a 2002 (51) model.
Hi
The Association of British Insurers classifies Categories of 'Write-Off' as:
Category A: Scrap only - this vehicle should have been crushed. It should never reappear on the road and there are no economically salvageable parts. It is of value only for scrap metal - e.g. a totally burnt-out vehicle.
Category B: The bodyshell should have been crushed. The vehicle should never reappear on the road, but it can be broken for spare parts plus any residual scrap metal.
Category C: Vehicle extensively damaged and insurer has decided not to repair. The vehicle should have an independent inspection before being allowed back onto the road.
Category D: Vehicle damaged and insurer has decided not to repair.
So category D is the least serious category of write-off. It is really just an economic decision; the insurer decides that giving you the value of the car will be cheaper than paying for the repair.
If the car has been properly repaired, then it is worth as much as a car that was not written off.
You need to either check the car carefully yourslef and speak to the garage that repaired it or have it inspected by a mechanic. Getting an MOT at a garage your trust is often the cheapest way to do this.
Matt