What is Category D repaired

A question about : What is Category D repaired

Hi,

I've seen a used car on Autotrader at what seems like a really good price but it is described as having been repaired and the repair being a category D repair.

I've never heard of this before - please could anyone give me a quick low down on what to look out for or is this too risky a venture for someone who is not a car expect?

Many thanks.
Regards,

Best answers:

• I am sure my other halfs celica was sold as a cat D.
  In the case of that car we were crashed into from behind whilst stationary at traffic lights. As it was a H reg car the insurance decided that it was not worth repairing and categorised it as a D or C. The car was fine to drive, no twisting to the chassy and the floorpan was not bent, it was just a case of it being an older car. When selling the vehicle you have to notify the new owner that it is a cat D but other than that it was just another normal car. Same amount of tax, normal MOT's ect.
  So long as its not written on the log book everything should be fine
  When the DVLA take the logbook away I think you have to get a special test done pre MOT by the DVLA to ensure the vehicle is still safe to be on the road.
  These cars are generally cheaper as they are worth around 30% to 40% less than the normal value. If you know what your looking at you can pick up a bargin.
• Category A - Vehicle must be crushed. All of it.
• Category B - Vehicle may not be returned to road. Parts may be sold.
• Category C - Repairable. Possibly structural damage. Cost of damage (at main dealer prices and labour rates) is more than book value of vehicle.
• Category D - Repairable. Probably non-structural damage. May have been economic to repair, but insurer doesn't want to.
• Category F - Damaged by fire.
• Category X - Repairable. Minor Damage.
• Hi, thanks everyone, as ever I've learned something new there.
  It's only a 2005 car so it seems strange that the insurer didn't want to repair it and it's a VW Polo too which are sought after, with only 9k ish miles.
  Although it doesn't yet need an MOT by law would I be able to ask the seller to put it through an MOT at this stage so I have peace of mind that it will definitely pass an MOT in spite of the damage/repair - or is it impossible to get an MOT until the car is old enough to legally require one?
  Should I expect to see some sort of certificate identifying this as "category D" damage and giving full details of the accident and repair work?
  Also if I got all the details I guess I could get a specific insurance quote on the car before buying, to make sure cover is readily available and not priced through the roof.
  Many thanks again for the helpful information.
• Cat D can vary considerably from accident damage to paintwork.
  There are more Cat D's appearing as a result of the cost to replace airbags.
  An airbag is set to trigger from 19mph provided the impact is in the correct position to set it off, a frontal collision in a Polo with two triggered airbags will likely put in Cat D, airbags can be pricey to buy, the passenger side dashboard can be destroyed when a bag deploys in that position.
  Without airbags the front end repair could have been economic, a dodgy repairer might just fix the damage and not replace the airbags or use parts from another accident/stolen vehicle. You need to find out if the bags deployed before considering a Cat D.
  It will also be almost worthless due to the above so buy it cheap, check it's safe and expect it to be worth nothing when it comes to sell.
• quite often a car can become cat d with very little damage but perhaps a large bill for carhire that makes it beyond economical repair, for example a stolen recovered.
  i have seen a bmw cat d that even with a fairly thouough inspection i couldnt work out why it was listed
  buy it with caution and remember if you want to sell it on you may have difficulties
• Like I said before my Fellas H reg Toyota Celica GT4 was a Cat D mostly due to its age and they said it was beyond economical repair. The car was fine there was just a scuff on the rear bumper.
• Hi,
  Thanks Gold Shogun - well done you! That sounds like a great buy. It's just a sign of our throwaway times I guess that we write off things that can be easily and, in your case, relatively cheaply repaired.
  The dealer I emailed about the car yesterday replied but when (after reading advice from folks on here) I emailed again asking for further info. of the accident and whether the airbags had deployed he's gone strangely silent, so we'll see!!
  Thanks for everyone's help.
  Regards,
• hi there
  i bought a car privately, i didn't do a hpi check (very stupid i know), i asked the seller if the car had ever been in an accident, he said no, but i have found out that this car was a cat d, do i have any sort of rights regarding returning this vehicle or do i have to just lump it and put it down to experience??
  Thanks in advance
• OP 4 years old.........
• Cat D isn't really much to worry about. Cat C you could raise your eye brows and ask the previous owner some questions.
  I've had both. Cat D when some prat put a small dent in a front wing (cut us up and slammed on the brakes). It was literally a small dent and thats it. Cat C when I ran into a car on ice. The opponent was fine mine needed the front end to be rebuilt hence the insurers wrote it off as a Cat C. I rebuilt it and it was fine (new MOT to keep the insurers happy and a VIC check to be sure it was the car it claims it is).
  I'd not even blink at a Cat D car if i bought it, Cat C I'd be cautious about as you've no way of knowing how well it was repaired. Cat D I'd just be grateful for a cheap car and wouldn't give it a second thought.
• Have had my Ford Fiesta written off as uneconomic to repair.
  The car is in good condition for age and is still driveable just cosmetic damage. Has a full MOT but guess this will have to be redone.
  My question is is it worth me asking the insurer to keep the car what are my legal requirements to use the car again and likely costs?
  Thanks
  boomerangguy
• What category of write off is it? C or D