Insurance damage categories
- Thread starter zebedee37
- Start date
Jimbob-Squarepants
Member
Hi mate, 'Cat C' means the vehicle was deemed uneconomical to repair and in most cases needs a fair bit of work to put right. I have been told that a category C rating is given to vehicles with suspension damage, but i'm not sure if this is true (although it was with a friends Fiesta Zetec-S).
The insurance company will send the log book back to the DVLA so don't be worried if a Cat C car doesn't have a log book. You will have to repair the car abd then take it for a 'VIC' (Vehicle Identity Check), before applying for a new log book (V5). This will cost you approx £80 and all they do is check the VIN and engine numbers aginst the car they have on their computers. Once this is completed, they give you a certificate which you then take to your nearest DVLA local office, along with your Insurance certificate and MoT, and they will then Tax it and issue a new V5.
When you get the new log book, it WILL be maked on there that the vehicle was once a Cat C write off.
I hope this helps you
Jim
The insurance company will send the log book back to the DVLA so don't be worried if a Cat C car doesn't have a log book. You will have to repair the car abd then take it for a 'VIC' (Vehicle Identity Check), before applying for a new log book (V5). This will cost you approx £80 and all they do is check the VIN and engine numbers aginst the car they have on their computers. Once this is completed, they give you a certificate which you then take to your nearest DVLA local office, along with your Insurance certificate and MoT, and they will then Tax it and issue a new V5.
When you get the new log book, it WILL be maked on there that the vehicle was once a Cat C write off.
I hope this helps you
Jim
Jimbob-Squarepants
Member
From what I have seen, 'Cat C' can be given to vehicles that can have a bent wheel and wing, right up to my mates Zetec-S when he bought it. We both didn't realise just how much work his car would need as it only looked like a front end, but it was cheaper than buying a second hand 3 owner car with 80.000 miles on the clock. (His had 1 owner and 20.000 miles)
Anyway, we ended up straightening 2 slightly bent chassis legs, replacing a front panel, front crossmember, 2 wings, headlamps, bumper, grille, air con pipes, radiator, o/s driveshaft and hub assembly, o/s & n/s front legs, lower wishbones and stabilizer bars, front engine/suspension crossmember, rear stub axles, rear beam axle, 1 side skirt, and 3 wheels & tyres. Oh it also needed a repair on the o/s/r quarter panel and a rear bumper. It was painted on both sides, & front.
All that damage, and it was quite servere, they didn't categorize it as a 'Cat B' :roll: I wouldn't dismiss buying a Cat C write off if it has been repaired correctly, but you shouldn't be paying top 'book price' for it :wink:
Anyway, we ended up straightening 2 slightly bent chassis legs, replacing a front panel, front crossmember, 2 wings, headlamps, bumper, grille, air con pipes, radiator, o/s driveshaft and hub assembly, o/s & n/s front legs, lower wishbones and stabilizer bars, front engine/suspension crossmember, rear stub axles, rear beam axle, 1 side skirt, and 3 wheels & tyres. Oh it also needed a repair on the o/s/r quarter panel and a rear bumper. It was painted on both sides, & front.
All that damage, and it was quite servere, they didn't categorize it as a 'Cat B' :roll: I wouldn't dismiss buying a Cat C write off if it has been repaired correctly, but you shouldn't be paying top 'book price' for it :wink: