Found a cat C Xantia

[C.J.]

Locally advertised, so i'm just waiting for the seller to get back to me to arrange an inspection visit.
W reg Forte hatchback with only 63k warranted miles, but it has been registered as a cat c 2 years ago. Lightly damaged requiring only a new wing and bonnet only ....apparently.
13 months mot and 3 months tax.

Whats do you lot reckon it's worth then? Normally about £14/1500 p'raps, but with a cat c 'discount'? I dunno. About half normal value p'raps?

[AndersDK]

Cat C car ?
You mean a race/rally/competetion car then ?

hands off honestly

- unless you are prepared to stand head down in the engine bay every other weekend
You MUST be a skilled mechanic to read off all possible damages such a car may hide. And then you wouldnt ask here anyway ...

Such a car has had a hard life, with lots & lots of beating around ...

[deian]

Not a rally car AndersDK. Cat C means it's been in a crash and the insurance company decided it was uneconomical to fix, but the car owner can get money for the car and keep it to fix up, hence the Cat C (like a guarantee for the inurance company should it fall appart later on).

The categories range from F to A (a being worse, where the car should be crushed). Category C means 'extensively damaged'.

I doubt the car needed only a wing and bonnet, as the cost of fixing a W reg car with low miles would not write it off with just the cost of a wing/bonnet. There must be some structural damage somewhere to make the cost of fixing worth more than the car.

It may have been well fixed and passed inspections, but I would be wary myself. Isn't insurance more for a Cat C car? And selling it on later harder?

Personally I would stay well clear of any insurance categorised car unless you plan to run the car to the ground. You do have doubts yourself, by using the word 'apparently'. My philosophy is, if you got to ask then you have doubts.

Good luck.

[AndersDK]

Thanx Dei -

At least its still something No-No

[citronut]

what would a W plate XANT have been worth around 2 years ago then, as crash repair is very costly, rule of thumb for wrighting them of is if the repair is going to cost more than 2 thirds of the value of the car,

also they dont have to have structural damage to be recorded as cat C

regards malcolm

[C.J.]

Not a rally car AndersDK. Cat C means it's been in a crash and the insurance company decided it was uneconomical to fix, but the car owner can get money for the car and keep it to fix up, hence the Cat C (like a guarantee for the inurance company should it fall appart later on).

The categories range from F to A (a being worse, where the car should be crushed). Category C means 'extensively damaged'.

You do have doubts yourself, by using the word 'apparently'. My philosophy is, if you got to ask then you have doubts.

Good luck.

Correct on the 'cat c'.

Yes, I use the word 'apparently' because I never trust anyone when it comes to selling cars....harsh, but true sadly, as there are many out there just waiting to stitch you up, get your money and disappear like the morning mist. I'd much prefered to see it prior to repair tbh, but I thought it might just be worth a 'sniffing' at.

I've got a Suzuki Jimny that was a 'cat c', but I saw it prior to repair. Bit of a mess, but all panel damage only, and it passed the ministry test for ID and it's mot too. Had it for 12 months now, and it drives (mainly off road granted) just fine.

Anyway, the seller has contacted me, and the bells are already ringing. The car is in Liverpool apparently, not in my home town in Wirral, which is where he lives. Just left me his mobile number if I'm interested. I'm starting to go cold on the idea tbh. Just a 'gut' feeling.

[C.J.]

I doubt the car needed only a wing and bonnet, as the cost of fixing a W reg car with low miles would not write it off with just the cost of a wing/bonnet. There must be some structural damage somewhere to make the cost of fixing worth more than the car.

I'm thinking that myself now on reflection. New wing and bonnet ONLY? That would surely have rendered it as a 'cat d', meaning lightly damaged/repairable?
Wasn't aware of cat's e and f tbh. What do they signify?

Here it is anyway, on flea bay....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-CITROEN-XANT ... dZViewItem

Bidding starting to get near the realms of 'normal' prices now, for a high miler, with a further 2 days to go.

[TehAgent]

Am i right in thinking you can not get a 13 month MoT, i mean, I've never been offered or seen one, its always 12 months,



"Category C vehicles are vehicles where the repair cost exceeds the value of the vehicle, however the extent of the damage is such that the vehicle can be repaired by the use of recycled parts or by using other cost saving measures"

[Peter.N.]

You can have an MOT up to a month before it is due, so theoretically you can have one with 13 months less one day. I often get over 12 months, if I remember to take it in before it runs out.

[Bick]

My Xantia was a cat C and it only needed a wing and door to make as new! I still drive it with a dent in the wing and door and have been doing so for the last 3 years no problem.

As long as it will pass an mot with the damage eg the damage is only cosmetic it should be fine.

Cat C usually means beyond economical repair. Dont pay a lot for it as it will never be worth a lot as a Cat C.

Last point you may have trouble getting insurance on the car as some insurance companies ask for an engineers report, but not all.


hope this helps

[deian]

I had a look at the ebay auction for it.

It does look quite nice. And the guys seems positively genuine, but hasn't got 100% feedback, maybe a small flaw. Still... you can't guarantee any mileage, and the description is sketchy.

Don't know about this one, if you really like it, then I'd suggest you go see the car (as you would anyway), suss the car out, suss the guy out. And go with your gut feeling from then on.

It's still going to be harder to sell later on, and harder to insure. So it may not be worth all that hassle.

[Bren]

I dont think you can always use the category A-C as a guide to the vehicle's damage - only last week somebody reversed into my neighbour's R reg escort, pushing in the N/S front wing. The loss adjuster viewed the car, valued it at £800 and wrote it off! However, I am certain the damage would cost £300 max to put right. He has accepted the offer, and will pay to have it repaired.

[deian]

I would agree there! How they work it out is a mystery to me!

[C.J.]

It endeed up going for £999, not a particulary great bargain in my opinion.
Many questions would remain unanswered, so I feel it was best to steer clear.
Seems the seller deals in write offs as he has a couple of other repaired cars up for sale at the moment.