Cat N - would you buy?
Discussion
Hi all, just looking for some input into the following :
Been looking for a 7 seater for a while now. Have seen a CAT N vehicle from a private seller, 2019, 29k.
Similar examples seem to go for £32-£33k which are HPI clear. WBAC offering £29.5, if it wasn’t CAT N
I’ve been offered this one for £23k.
I’ve received photos of the damage, which is the front lower bumper and some side trim. Seller states that the radiators and hoses were replaced during the repair, as well as the trim obviously.
I’d be travelling a long distance to purchase the car, so can’t just pop by and have a look.
It’s just had an MOT, which doesn’t show anything untoward.
All being well, I’d be keeping it and using it as a family “runabout” for 4ish years.
Any advice/input welcome!
Been looking for a 7 seater for a while now. Have seen a CAT N vehicle from a private seller, 2019, 29k.
Similar examples seem to go for £32-£33k which are HPI clear. WBAC offering £29.5, if it wasn’t CAT N
I’ve been offered this one for £23k.
I’ve received photos of the damage, which is the front lower bumper and some side trim. Seller states that the radiators and hoses were replaced during the repair, as well as the trim obviously.
I’d be travelling a long distance to purchase the car, so can’t just pop by and have a look.
It’s just had an MOT, which doesn’t show anything untoward.
All being well, I’d be keeping it and using it as a family “runabout” for 4ish years.
Any advice/input welcome!
Unlight said:
maz8062 said:
It’s keenly priced, more so if you can get it for less than 23k, but the problem is resale. It just takes longer. That said, I’ve sold Cat cars before; N is a lot easier than S.
It was up for £25k, I’ve been negotiating to get it to £23!If you were going to run it in to the ground then I'd get an inspection done and then buy it if all was well, given that it's a significant saving.
Given that you're only expecting to keep it for a few years I'd not even consider it, purely because they're so hard to shift and you might find yourself taking a real bath on it if you need your money out quickly.
Given that you're only expecting to keep it for a few years I'd not even consider it, purely because they're so hard to shift and you might find yourself taking a real bath on it if you need your money out quickly.
I'd consider Cat N cars - but probably not one that had had accident damage while still relatively new.
I bought a 12 year old A3 cabrio for £5k to use as a runabout for 6 months between lease cars. I opened the roof when it was freezing in the January and the back windscreen shattered (too cold for the material to flex properly - didn't know!). Went through insurance as thought it was a glass replacement job, but it grew arms and legs and they wrote it off Cat N as it would need a whole new roof - quoted as £5.5k by Audi.
They offered me £4.5k to keep the car, and I got a brand new roof sourced and installed by an Audi specialist for £1.8k. The car was then in better shape than when I bought it, but recorded as Cat N. Sold it for £5k a year later.
I bought a 12 year old A3 cabrio for £5k to use as a runabout for 6 months between lease cars. I opened the roof when it was freezing in the January and the back windscreen shattered (too cold for the material to flex properly - didn't know!). Went through insurance as thought it was a glass replacement job, but it grew arms and legs and they wrote it off Cat N as it would need a whole new roof - quoted as £5.5k by Audi.
They offered me £4.5k to keep the car, and I got a brand new roof sourced and installed by an Audi specialist for £1.8k. The car was then in better shape than when I bought it, but recorded as Cat N. Sold it for £5k a year later.
sunnyb13 said:
wouldn't bother with CAT N.
the only economically viable way to repair them properly is with stolen parts..... otherwise its a bodge job.
lose lose.
I realise for higher value cars it changes how you view it, but in my recent case it consisted of a welding job to re-attach one of the rear backbox silencers to the exhaust pipe - £60.00the only economically viable way to repair them properly is with stolen parts..... otherwise its a bodge job.
lose lose.
A secondhand lock for the drivers door - £14.00
Keyfobs reprogrammed at ford dealership - £80.00
And simply ignoring some light damage to rear bumper that you can hardly see and an odd small dent on a rear wheel arch that looks like the result of someone kicking it in anger - possibly after the silencer broke off
Car valuation after some haggling was £4400
sandman77 said:
sunnyb13 said:
wouldn't bother with CAT N.
the only economically viable way to repair them properly is with stolen parts..... otherwise its a bodge job.
lose lose.
Where did you get than nonsense from? Cat N is the least severe of the categories. N = Non structural damage. the only economically viable way to repair them properly is with stolen parts..... otherwise its a bodge job.
lose lose.
30 grand motors don't tend to get written off for a bumper a rad and a few hoses and trim. The photos the vendor is sending you may only show the vehicle after they have already carried out some of the repair work.
Those more versed in the subject than me may be able to point you to a website which may show the real damage when it went to auction.
Those more versed in the subject than me may be able to point you to a website which may show the real damage when it went to auction.
I wouldn't rule out a Cat N car - go with your gut on this one. Ideally you would have pictures of the visible damage before any repairs so you can see if the the repairs mentioned are consistent with the damage you can see. I would be seeing if you can get salvage photos from a car check app/site in case the photos from the seller are after some work has already been done or are selective to show in a good light.
I'd be a bit more cautious with an expensive car like the one you're looking at - if it's been deemed uneconomical to repair then it would suggest a bit of work to repair it - if you go ahead, at that price, i'd be making sure it was professionally inspected for assurance. And as people mention, any savings made on purchase are lost on resale - maybe you'll profit, or maybe it'll be a nightmare to sell.
I bought a cat N car nearly 5 years ago and, like you, was too far to pop by for a quick look. My seller was really honest and stressed it was cat N, and gave me the salvage pictures. For the price it was worth it and it's still immaculate, never let me down, and it's yet to give us a reason to consider selling it. The price I paid is still lower than most equivalent non-cat cars of the same spec and mileage on sale today. But, on the other hand, my £5k car was far cheaper than what you are looking at.
I'd be a bit more cautious with an expensive car like the one you're looking at - if it's been deemed uneconomical to repair then it would suggest a bit of work to repair it - if you go ahead, at that price, i'd be making sure it was professionally inspected for assurance. And as people mention, any savings made on purchase are lost on resale - maybe you'll profit, or maybe it'll be a nightmare to sell.
I bought a cat N car nearly 5 years ago and, like you, was too far to pop by for a quick look. My seller was really honest and stressed it was cat N, and gave me the salvage pictures. For the price it was worth it and it's still immaculate, never let me down, and it's yet to give us a reason to consider selling it. The price I paid is still lower than most equivalent non-cat cars of the same spec and mileage on sale today. But, on the other hand, my £5k car was far cheaper than what you are looking at.
Edited by alanshuff on Wednesday 19th April 10:24
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