Cat N

[Gollom]

What is the downside to buying a Cat N? The one I'm looking at (B class) says fully repaired by a MB specialist and comes with warranty

I do realise that it would be more difficult to sell on - but of course the upside is that they tend to be better value.

 

[E55BOF]

If you know, or can work out, what the damage was, and you're happy with the repair, then apart from the resale (or write-off if you're unlucky...) value, and that insurers may hike your premium a little, there is no downside that I can see. I bought a repaired Cat D (now N) Saab 9-5 estate very cheaply, and it was an excellent car.

 

[Will]

In simple terms it’s the equivalent of an old Cat-D (no need for a complex debate over the cost of damages and extent of work etc here)

In theory it should be light damage but you can have quite a bit without it being classed as structural. Have you seen any pre-repair photos?

If you’re not confident in the car I would advise to find another. In a nutshell, if repaired properly it should be a fair chunk less than a non-categorised example (1/3 off would be a fair starting point) but will always be worth less and harder to sell when you come to move on.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

What is the downside to buying a Cat N? The one I'm looking at (B class) says fully repaired by a MB specialist and comes with warranty

I do realise that it would be more difficult to sell on - but of course the upside is that they tend to be better value.

How much % cheaper is it than the comparable non write-off?

 

[E55BOF]

The basic value needs to be reduced by 25% or so. That's the figure the trade will use, whatever the seller tells you.

 

[kc1952]

Hi Gollom, I'm now retired however I repaired salvage for thirty years. Nowadays, the costs of parts and operating a bodyshop are so high that even a light glance such as down the side needing a pair of doors and a wing will write off a car unless it is very new. Thirty years ago the bodyshop would have been allowed to panel beat and straighten the doors and very lightly filler final imperfections. Nowadays they just change panels, they don't even skin a door anymore. I guess its all down to labour costs.
Getting back to your purchase, it is important you see pictures showing the damage to assess in your own mind the extent. OR get someone like myself to inspect the car for you. Regarding value, because of the volume of cars that are now cat d or N - non structural - the values have closed up. I would say that now there is NO stigma in having a cat N low mileage & otherwise nice car. Compared to an unrecorded ( but straight) poorly maintained high mileage car I'd pick the cat N any day. Nice cars will always make good money and the gap for a cat N is down to 10 or 15% now. Cat C or S are different. The damage is stated on the V5 and the value gap remains at around 25 - 30%. Generally these would have suffered greater accident damage and should be purchased with great care.
Things and standards have moved on over the years. Slaughtered cars which are barely repairable all go to Eastern Europe now. They get repaired with lower labour costs, but what happens to them I don't know. Copart have dozens of Polish & Romanian transporters in every week.

NB. This is not an offer to inspect vehicles. Hope that helps.

 

[kc1952]

PS, Go to the Governement website to check the mot history as well. This will prove mileage and get some idea of what may have been done to the car in terms of normal servicing / repairs. Also, no matter how good the repairer is " you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear " !! An abused car will always have additional wear on seats, interior, boot interior etc.

 

[ioweddie]

Just Walk...Plenty more out there...and its a buyers market

 

[Gollom]

Thanks everybody - very helpful and a good source for anybody searching for the same information

The car I was looking at did not suit in the end. Now looking at a B class which we'll test on Sunday

 

[John]

I personally would avoid a CAT unless you can be certain of the damage or you know / trust the vendor.

I bought a Mundano on a CAT D once and it turned out fine but it was £900 and I knew the trader selling it fairly well by then.