Buying a Cat d Motor. To Fess or not to Fess.

[Grizzly9]

Just been reading up on the Speed awareness course thread. Which reminded me of the other grey area of Cat d cars.
I have recently bought ( rescued ) an abused Z4 which has been Cat 'd' ed TWICE. Now, the insurance company didnt ask me if it had been Cat d, but I found out, for me not to disclose that it was would invalidate my insurance. So I voluntary told them, they um'd and arr'd about it but didnt put any increase on the premium after asking if it had a current MOT.
So just as well I did an hpi check before I bought her off this unsavoury character in chav city.
Cat d isnt on the V5 as its optional whether to claim off the insurance policy, thus I have no idea what it has been written off for, and nor do the insurance people unless it went through a claim.
I didnt think I would buy a Cat d car, however, she's being nursed back to health and Im not worried about the resale value. She looks a lot better than before, and I may even put her pics up in the monthly comp one day.
Just be 'as honest as you can' when dealing with the scammers in Insurance.

 

[StevenH72]

Seems sensible "Griz"

Looking forward to the pics

 

[Z4M-2006]

Cat D isnt declared on the log book anyway,,

Your insurance company wont mind that the cat has been through an insurance claim,but in the event of total loss claim the settlement will be 33% less..
Or in the event of an accident,the car maybe a total loss for substansially less damage due to its lower value..

 

[srhutch]

Have you got some before and after pics, be nice to see the transformation.

 

[Grizzly9]

Have you got some before and after pics, be nice to see the transformation.

Yes I have. Will have to wait til I get onto my PC as its a pita trying to post pics from my Tab.

 

[inkey$]

Cat D isnt declared on the log book anyway,,

Your insurance company wont mind that the cat has been through an insurance claim,but in the event of total loss claim the settlement will be 33% less..
Or in the event of an accident,the car maybe a total loss for substansially less damage due to its lower value..

This is a lot less severe than I always imagined it to be. Like a lot of people I guess I wrongly assumed you'd find it difficult to get insurance. Don't know why I thought that, just automatically linked Cat D with nightmare scenarios and not on the nature of the 'D'.

 

[Grizzly9]

All wheels were mullered, this one bent and buckled.

Wheels refurbed and looking pretty good IMHO.

A bit of Halfords Caliper paint makes all the difference.

Personalized Mats and harness thingys.

Looks ok in pics but this car isn't in a good state by a longshot. Im going to get some Carbon wrap detailing done on some parts of the car that have chips, scratches etc. Should look ok with the Wheel colour.

The missus and Hetty giving it Large on the Valet, Bless em.

 

[Grizzly9]

Cat D isnt declared on the log book anyway,,

Your insurance company wont mind that the cat has been through an insurance claim,but in the event of total loss claim the settlement will be 33% less..
Or in the event of an accident,the car maybe a total loss for substantially less damage due to its lower value..

I have claimed for a stolen Motorcycle quite a few years ago and surprise surprise they offered me much less than the Bike was worth. So what did I do? I sent off pictures of the Bike telling them how it was my pride and joy and how well looked after it was.
I got what it was worth in the end minus the excess. Never accept any first offer no matter from who or what it's for.


This Z4 I bought for 3.5K and have spent 1.2k to date on getting it up together. Maybe not a Bargain some of you might think but when I tell the non- Z4 Fraternity what I got it for they are impressed. Even though I don't know the previous Damage incurred, I'm not that gullible enough to know that it has been in a front end collision of some sort. The enjoyment I get is the attention to detail and care into bringing this Motor up to head-turning level which I'm sure we all agree is justifiable for a motor such as the Z4.