My cat B car so far!

[Mudster]

I thought it was some sort of heavy MoT conducted at a VoSA station checking all sorts of structural things relating to what the vehicle was written off for in the first place.

That's an engineers report or full vehicle inspection. The only company that can do that and have the category removed from HPi (other than Thatcham themselves) are these guys:-

Autolign Inspections - Home

 

[Rory]

Let's face, with the best will in the world the car is only worth a few £k, 3rd party insurance will be valid come what may, so what the heck?

 

[alanuk400]

Leave the guy alone, he has bought a bargain, so what if "the computer says no" some people have nothing better to do than criticize.
I think it is a bargain, you don't have to tell the insurance company, like wise, when you insure it they don't tell you it is on the computer, only if you make a claim you will get less than the market value, but so what, you paid less in the first place!
Alan

 

[harry_dhuga]

Leave the guy alone, he has bought a bargain, so what if "the computer says no" some people have nothing better to do than criticize.
I think it is a bargain, you don't have to tell the insurance company, like wise, when you insure it they don't tell you it is on the computer, only if you make a claim you will get less than the market value, but so what, you paid less in the first place!
Alan

I think you are mistaking genuine post interest with criticism - I for one want to know what's going with this car with regards to it's written off history and whether it should be on the road if it is a Cat B, it can be hardly classed as criticism.

 

[toehold]

Harry why do you want to know "whether" it should be on the road? It has been on the road for many years and thousand of miles it has had many MOT's it has been serviced it has been checked over by a marque specialist it drives superbly. As we have substantiated being a class B is nothing to do with the law it is an insurance industry standard regarding payouts. You thought it was a lovely car that drove well why do you now want to know what is going on with regards to it's written off history why did you not try and find its written off history before you left your deposit? You walked away from the car and now you and one other on here cannot let it drop with your "concerns"! Nothing to do with the price you were prepared to pay to what I paid is it?

 

[d w124]

I think you are mistaking genuine post interest with criticism - I for one want to know what's going with this car with regards to it's written off history and whether it should be on the road if it is a Cat B, it can be hardly classed as criticism.

I`m sorry Harry but I`m with him on this one.The car has been fully checked and is roadworthy,so is his decision if he likes the car on the road on not.He does pay the road tax just like me and you,so i don`t think is fair telling someone what to do with his car.Trying to help yes,but not tell him to get the car of the road

 

[toehold]

Harry for a man that leaves a deposit on a car without 1st doing an HPi on it your concerns/worries/interest in the car now I have got it seem way over the top to me can we let this subject drop now?

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have seen this car in the flesh so to speak. So I think I may be qualified to put in a comment. When we looked at this car we were told of its history. Being super critical all we could find wrong was that a wheel liner was missing. We took it to our mot station and asked them to "do the business" on it, passed. I don't see what all the fuss is about. The car is safe, road legal and very nice. What else can you say? (now waiting for the knockers)

 

[SilverSaloon]

I applaud anyone who brings a car back to its best and the car looks great and is a credit to the OP.

IF it is currently considered a CAT B, and the OP has told his insurance about this then I can see no reason why it cant be on the road etc if its been checked over. Its just the insurance bit i have issue with as this must be declared, otherwise the insurance will be invalid and therefore no TP cover and you would be an uninsured driver. A few posts back it appeared that the OP hadn't told his insurance about the CAT B. Looks like they now know(?) If the insurance co knows and are happy with it being a CAT B then its all fine as far as i can see.

My Alfa has obviously been in a pretty nasty smash at some point - plenty of bodywork telltale signs - it has been repaired but no record of being written off at all. Its been repaired to a satisfactory condition so I see no problem with it.

cheers

Derek

 

[harry_dhuga]

I`m sorry Harry but I`m with him on this one.The car has been fully checked and is roadworthy,so is his decision if he likes the car on the road on not.He does pay the road tax just like me and you,so i don`t think is fair telling someone what to do with his car.Trying to help yes,but not tell him to get the car of the road

I have not in any of my replies above said the car should not be driven by the OP - only reason I am interested in this is because I walked away from it simply because I found out it was a Cat B - like the OP says perhaps I didn't do enough homework on it.......I agree, I just got put off the Cat B so decided not to purchase.

 

[harry_dhuga]

Harry why do you want to know "whether" it should be on the road? It has been on the road for many years and thousand of miles it has had many MOT's it has been serviced it has been checked over by a marque specialist it drives superbly. As we have substantiated being a class B is nothing to do with the law it is an insurance industry standard regarding payouts. You thought it was a lovely car that drove well why do you now want to know what is going on with regards to it's written off history why did you not try and find its written off history before you left your deposit? You walked away from the car and now you and one other on here cannot let it drop with your "concerns"! Nothing to do with the price you were prepared to pay to what I paid is it?

The simple reason I want to know whether it should be on the road is like you have mentioned before I put a deposit on the car and I stated the car looked and drove just fine - my interest was why was it a Cat B and has it had a VIC done now - you have done well in chasing and pursuing information on the car.

I just got put off when I saw Cat B, as stated earlier in my mind I just couldn't take my child in that car not knowing 100% whether it was or not.

PS I wasn't paying the price that it was up for, part ex with my 7 series and a few £K my way so did seem like a great deal hence the deposit that I left.

Anyhow - like I said before hope the car works out for you.

 

[d w124]

I have not in any of my replies above once said the car should be off the road and not

Yes you did,read your previous post again.Look at it this way.When you found out thatsomeone played with the mileage on you on your black car,that put you off so much that you ended up selling for what i think a bargain price.How about if some of the previous posts would put the op off aswell,would you be happy to be one that changed his mind about the car?!!I don`t think so so for that reason,let the man enjoy his car

 

[harry_dhuga]

Yes you did,read your previous post again.Look at it this way.When you found out thatsomeone played with the mileage on you on your black car,that put you off so much that you ended up selling for what i think a bargain price.How about if some of the previous posts would put the op off aswell,would you be happy to be one that changed his mind about the car?!!I don`t think so so for that reason,let the man enjoy his car

Fair play, I didn't mean he can't drive the car what I mean't is should the car be driven and can it be driven legally on the road with that marker that was all.........

Guess I have picked up some further info on the Cat B status along the way so it has been a useful post, eventhough certain people may have got a little upset with comments.

No offence meant, each to their own - enjoy...!!!

 

[Mudster]

Clearly my input on this thread has caused upset, which wasn't my intention.

Having been through a similar situation myself some years back I was caught unknowingly uninsured. So my interest was if there was valid insurance or not and using my past problems to point out to the OP that despite his efforts he may actually be unwittingly uninsured himself.

I also wasn't aware Cat B cars could be put back on the road, I learned that.

I've discovered that before 2004 HPI didn't tell the DVLA anything unless they were asked.

I've discovered the VIC check didn't come into force until 2003, and it's nothing more than a check to see if all the numbers tally up with the log book to avoid ringers, it has nothing to do with the condition of the car.

The OP's car was written off in 2000 so as long as it's had a VOSA inspection (full engineers inspection) which was the requirement at that time (pre 2003) then it seems a Cat B car can be put back on the road without an issue. The thing is, if it's had this inspection then it should show on Hpi as "Inspected repaired", this replaces the Cat B rating as the vehicle has now deemed to be roadworthy. It appears this is not that case. So has this engineers inspection taken place?

Do note that any number of specialists may look at the vehicle and deem it safe and roadworthy and quite a bargain, but unless you've dotted all the legal i's an crossed all the legal t's you could still be driving around in an uninsured car unwittingly.

A few facts pertaining to this car:-

It was written off in 2000

It has not had a VIC check (it didn't exist at the time)

It was not reported to the DVLA (it wasn't a requirement at the time)

Other than that we don't know what's been done to it. Apaprt from a few non VOSA specialists deeming it absolutely fine.

If it's had a VOSA inspection the insurers will require a copy of that inspection (as the vehicle is too old to comply with VIC checks).

The OP informed his insurers it's a CAT B - the insurer remarked as long as it's had a VIC then it can be put back on the Road and it's value is 20% less. This car hasn't had a VIC.

My interest was in helping the OP understand he may not be insured due to various regime changes that have taken place over the 10 years since his car was a total loss.

I still think there is a reasonable chance it may be uninsured unless it's had the VOSA inspection that was a requirement in the years between 2000 and 2003 (when the VIC was introduced). This has still not been confirmed or produced to the insurer for their written confirmation of cover.

I made the observation that as the OP clearly has lots of vehicles it would be prudent to not use this until it's absolutely watertight that it's insured or not - i.e. got it in writing from the insurer.

If what I've suggested has been construed as offensive I apologise, but I still think there is a reasonable chance this car is uninsured until the insurer is in possession of the relevant documentation.

Unlike most others posters on this thread I've actually been through this situation and ended up with a car off the road for three months until it was all sorted out.

Never assume anything when it comes to insurance, get it in writing, that lad at the insurer or broker that answered you call was probably unaware that anything before the VIC even existed..it's worth checking.

How do I know all this? I've done it, I was caught with a categorised car that I didn't know was categorised. I had to go through all the above, including the inspections and getting the car recategorised before any insurer would consider it road legal and it had to be in writing. Since 2003 it's all different...the thing is, the OP's car is pre 2003.

 

[toehold]

Mudster

Ring VOSA as is your like the car has not had a VIC nor a VOSA check and does not need one! VOSA are only done if an insurance company asks them to do it. I have just put the phone down to a lady at VOSA who has informed me that my car DOES NOT need to have a VOSA to be road registered as it was damaged in 2000 all it needs is an MOT she informs me that my car is fully road legal and it was not a requiremnt to be put back on the road as you say. I then rang the DVLA yet again who informed me my car is road registered there is no Cat anything damage showing as we are aware and again that my car is as road legal as anyone elses which is taxed and insured. I then rang my broker again who rang my insurance company to check re the VIC and confirms that I am insured with this car and if you are so worried PM me for his number and I will gladly give his number and name to you!

I do not know where you have gotten your information re the VIC and VOSA but ring VOSA and get it from the horses mouth ....now please go away stop worrying about me and my car and get a life!

 

[renault12ts]

Nice car Toehold. I see you have a facelift steering wheel. Have you got the buttons working?

 

[toehold]

Mudster better still set up a website say WWW.IHELPTHEUNINSURED.COM give the thousands and thousands of people that have altered their cars from standard be it engine/suspension/brakes and not told their insurers all of your expert advice and help as this person does not want it ok!

 

[harry_dhuga]

I think this thread is getting a little off subject, maybe let's go with the live and let live option here.

If 'toehold' is happy with his car after all the investigations he has conducted then good for him I say.

I'm sure he got a little stressed out and may have thought twice for a second himself about the car at first when we all started posting but, if the facts are all correct then good job - you got yourself a nice looking car for a good price.

Go out and enjoy the V8 power...!!!

 

[Mudster]

Mudster

Ring VOSA as is your like the car has not had a VIC nor a VOSA check and does not need one! VOSA are only done if an insurance company asks them to do it. I have just put the phone down to a lady at VOSA who has informed me that my car DOES NOT need to have a VOSA to be road registered as it was damaged in 2000 all it needs is an MOT she informs me that my car is fully road legal and it was not a requiremnt to be put back on the road as you say. I then rang the DVLA yet again who informed me my car is road registered there is no Cat anything damage showing as we are aware and again that my car is as road legal as anyone elses which is taxed and insured. I then rang my broker again who rang my insurance company to check re the VIC and confirms that I am insured with this car and if you are so worried PM me for his number and I will gladly give his number and name to you!

I do not know where you have gotten your information re the VIC and VOSA but ring VOSA and get it from the horses mouth ....now please go away stop worrying about me and my car and get a life!

As long as you're happy you've got to the bottom of it that's great.

I found very different with my vehicle and was instructed to remove it from use until such a time as it was inspected, but like I said that was around 2003 so at that time VIC hadn't yet been adopted.

I find it very difficult to believe that all a Cat A, B or C car needs is an MOT and doesn't require any from of engineers inspection (very different to an MOT), but maybe things have changed. Maybe that's why so many can now appear on eBay, be put back onto the road and sold as roadworthy?

 

[Scott_F]

All these pages of talk about Cat A, Cat B, HPi, VOSA, VIC etc. etc. etc have overlooked the one question that should really have been asked here.

Why would anyone want a number plate that tries to spell "Slow Nob" ??