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View Full Version : Cat D Value, Insurance, etc. and any other thoughts



leedeacon76
22-04-2015, 09:25
Long-time lurker, first time poster. Might have the chance to buy a Williams 1 soon but any advice on the following welcome..

I will investigate the car itself a little more but it has been described as mechanically sound but with a little rust around the rear arches (to be expected) so I'm not expecting a show car. It is however a Cat D write-off - the same owner bought the car back from the insurance company and repaired it, and it does sound like a reasonably straight forward story / fix. Car has since been in use and has a current MOT. I'd get someone to look over the car before buying to ensure everything is sorted properly. The price is reasonable given the mileage and history from an initial chat but does anyone have an opinion on the effect of the Cat D write-off on price? Would it make insuring it harder? Or do specialist insurers (often name-checked on here) not worry about that too much?

I would think about throwing decent money at it to sort out any rust as I'm after a keeper. Does the write-off status mean it wouldn't be worth it? Though I suppose if I keep it then value doesn't really matter in a way? Maybe it would just sort of feel tainted or is that just me? Given the ever-decreasing number about now then opportunities to own Williams aren't every day occurrences. Anything else I should think about?

The bloke sounded decent over the phone and was straight up about the write-off at the outset. Don't like to mess people about with these things, so would like to get back to him sometime this week and take it from there.

Vandella
22-04-2015, 11:21
as long as it was repaired to a good standard and is straight.. I personally would worry.

leedeacon76
23-04-2015, 10:16
Thanks (assume it was 'wouldn't worry'?!), I'm leaning that way now I think.

Anyone have any thoughts on the insurance question?

And if I need to get it trailered then what would you expect to pay? Let's say Sheffield to Southampton. Ballpark or recent experience will do.

Cheers

PhilW
23-04-2015, 12:20
If you want a price for car transport, best to go on these comparison web sites and people will bid for the job. I have paid prices for car transport that wouldnt cover the fuel for me collecting it myself, try ;
Car transport quoter
delivery quote compare
any van.com

16v_paddy
23-04-2015, 20:41
The write off thing is almost completely irrelevant as it will have been classified as that when prices of the car were either still low or declining but it's all based on "book value" which in itself is usually very vague and can't really be applied to a classic car. In fact the write off status is basically worked out from what a normal, bog standard run of the mill car sales place will offer in part exchange/trade in, which for a 20 year old Clio is next to sod all :lol:
Insuring it wont be an issue, even less of an issue if you use a specialist broker as they'll be more in the know about classic cars.

Another thing to bear in mind that because it's now a classic car, the values are going up & not down as is the norm with most cars. A write off is merely a point where the insurer decides it's just cheaper or easier to pay out the value of the car & that's decided when the cost of repair exceeds a certain percentage of the value. Now that will have happened at a point in time when the value was low, but as it's now a classice car, there's every chance that the value is now higher & the same sort of damage wont exceed that threshold.

The way I look at things, on the vast majority of cars over 10 years old, I'd disregard anything on the subject of write offs unless it's a car that's worth significantly more than £5k

As for moving it, try shiply.com

leedeacon76
09-05-2015, 08:27
Thanks for all the replies. Off to see the car today, looks like the rear arches are in need of some attention. Last question (for now), any ballpark figures to do 1 side? Appreciate there will be some variation but anything helps! Wheel refurb at £90 per corner?

northy
11-05-2015, 09:28
what part of the car was repaired?