Autoline reports?
Discussion
Please could anyone help a soon to be TVR owner?
I have found a Chimp 4.0, '95 for £12000. Unfortunately it has a record on it's HPI check that says it was damaged in its first year. I asked the current owner who was very up front and explained what had happened (nothing major, just fibreglass work) , and said that he had had an Autoline report done to confirm that the damage had been fixed to a high standard.
Is this good enough? Does anyone know of Autoline reports?
The owner of the car has always had it TVR serviced and seems to be okay, but thought I get some other opinions.
Any help would be much appreciated.
I have found a Chimp 4.0, '95 for £12000. Unfortunately it has a record on it's HPI check that says it was damaged in its first year. I asked the current owner who was very up front and explained what had happened (nothing major, just fibreglass work) , and said that he had had an Autoline report done to confirm that the damage had been fixed to a high standard.
Is this good enough? Does anyone know of Autoline reports?
The owner of the car has always had it TVR serviced and seems to be okay, but thought I get some other opinions.
Any help would be much appreciated.
When I was looking for the Tiv I found a TVR that had been accident damaged when it was about 6 months old. According to HPI it had been written off, but probably because it was so new it wasnt worth repairing in the insurance companies eyes. The thing that put me off it though was that I would always be wondering if there was something that the engineer missed. Every time I heard a funny noise I would have been wondering if it was something major due to the accident that could not be fixed.
My reaction was probably paranoid but I decided to swerve it.
Whatever you decide I am sure you will be pleased with your decision as on the whole they are wonderful cars.
Matt.
My reaction was probably paranoid but I decided to swerve it.
Whatever you decide I am sure you will be pleased with your decision as on the whole they are wonderful cars.
Matt.
if it has a full service history (which it should if you are considering purchasing) why not call the service department of the dealer and ask them what they did and whether there have been any lasting problems?
You may find (as I did) that the TVR dealers know all their own cars. After a month or so of ownership, I asked them about seemingly high oil pressure. Without looking up the records, they immediately said that she had always been that since delivery, it was just the gauge.
R
You may find (as I did) that the TVR dealers know all their own cars. After a month or so of ownership, I asked them about seemingly high oil pressure. Without looking up the records, they immediately said that she had always been that since delivery, it was just the gauge.
R
quote:
You may find (as I did) that the TVR dealers know all their own cars. After a month or so of ownership, I asked them about seemingly high oil pressure. Without looking up the records, they immediately said that she had always been that since delivery, it was just the gauge.
R
Er, call me negative if you like, but wouldn't they say that anyway, while trying to sound sincere and knowledgeable?!?
My oil pressure gauge has a mind of it's own - some days it works fine, some days it reads 5psi. I know the oil pressure warning light on the speedo comes on at around 15psi so assuming its working I don't let the gauge worry me. It's been like this for 3.5 years ... I must get the sender replaced at the next service (keep forgetting, it's never bothered me).
I was under the impression that HPI only recorded write-offs (i.e. a car can be HPI clear even if it's had accident damage, so long as it wasn't written-off), so it would have to have been a pretty serious accident. I'd tread very carefully.
Actually, I wouldn't tread at all - I'd walk.
Actually, I wouldn't tread at all - I'd walk.
Just pulled this off the HPI website - something to bear in mind if you plan to go ahead (also seems to confirm that HPI only records write-offs, but I would be glad to be corrected if I'm wrong):
3. Condition Alert
If a vehicle hits the Condition Alert Register it means that it has been deemed a total loss or 'write-off' by an insurance company. If the damage has occurred post 1996, HPI will provide the category of write-off (A, B, C, D, F - 'A' and 'B's must never reappear on the road whilst 'C', 'D' and 'F' categories may return to the road following proper repair and inspection). If the total loss marker is as a result of a theft claim, HPI will investigate directly with the insurance company on your behalf.
4. Condition Inspected
This register provides details of 'written-off' vehicles that have been properly repaired and passed an independent structural examination. HPI holds the details of the original inspection in most cases, and can provide a copy report for a fee.
3. Condition Alert
If a vehicle hits the Condition Alert Register it means that it has been deemed a total loss or 'write-off' by an insurance company. If the damage has occurred post 1996, HPI will provide the category of write-off (A, B, C, D, F - 'A' and 'B's must never reappear on the road whilst 'C', 'D' and 'F' categories may return to the road following proper repair and inspection). If the total loss marker is as a result of a theft claim, HPI will investigate directly with the insurance company on your behalf.
4. Condition Inspected
This register provides details of 'written-off' vehicles that have been properly repaired and passed an independent structural examination. HPI holds the details of the original inspection in most cases, and can provide a copy report for a fee.
Thanks for everyones comments.
Cockers, cheers for looking to the whole HPI thing for me. The car in question is a '95 so the category thing won't apply. I do know however that it is listed as 'condition inspected', and that the inspection report is available from the current owner. (I think this is the Autoline report he's talking about)
I guess the car would have been written off because it was so new??
What d'ya recon?
Cockers, cheers for looking to the whole HPI thing for me. The car in question is a '95 so the category thing won't apply. I do know however that it is listed as 'condition inspected', and that the inspection report is available from the current owner. (I think this is the Autoline report he's talking about)
I guess the car would have been written off because it was so new??
What d'ya recon?
quote:
I guess the car would have been written off because it was so new??
A HPI or AA data check will tell you exactly when the car was written off, and to what category. If it was written off within the first 6 months of its life and was a category C,D or F (Minor Structural,Damaged Repairable or Fire) it is likely that it will be written off. The customer would get the money to buy a new car and the insurance company would make some money back by selling the damaged vehicle at auction.
Matt.
You might want to try giving CLEAVE MOTOR SALVAGE a call (don't all bombard them though !)
01452 410000
Email: enquiries@motorsalvage.com
They specialise in selling written off prestige cars and have dealings with a lot of repairers. They may be able to give you some idea if the inspection is worth the paper it's written on.
Incidently Cat F is for stolen/recovered vehicles, C&D are repairable damage.
I've no idea if £12k is V cheap for a '95 Chim, if it is and it checks out then fine, if not walk.
A colleague runs a 456 that was a cat D after it was rear-ended, she paid £32k including repairs.
01452 410000
Email: enquiries@motorsalvage.com
They specialise in selling written off prestige cars and have dealings with a lot of repairers. They may be able to give you some idea if the inspection is worth the paper it's written on.
Incidently Cat F is for stolen/recovered vehicles, C&D are repairable damage.
I've no idea if £12k is V cheap for a '95 Chim, if it is and it checks out then fine, if not walk.
A colleague runs a 456 that was a cat D after it was rear-ended, she paid £32k including repairs.
I don't understand why an insurer would write off a car because it's too new.
I would have thought that there was more chance of it being repaired when almost new, otherwise the insurer is writing off somewhere near £30,000 (or whatever '95 400s cost when new) rather than forking out a few grand for replacement fibreglass. But Plotloss said the same thing as you, so maybe I'm missing something obvious.
Perhaps you could solve your problem by getting a copy of the seller's Autoline report and ringing HPI to check that it's still applicable. Although they may charge you for that.
Just one other point - even if the car is sound, you may be getting it cheap (bloody cheap actually!) now, but you'll also get less than for similar cars when you come to sell, as you'll have to disclose the accident damage at that time.
NB - apologies if I appear negative. I'm 100% mechanically inept, so I needed the peace of mind that a dealer (Fernhurst) brings. You doubtless know more than me (you can't know any less!) and can, therefore, afford to take more of a risk.
If you get a good 'un, you'll absolutely love it.
I would have thought that there was more chance of it being repaired when almost new, otherwise the insurer is writing off somewhere near £30,000 (or whatever '95 400s cost when new) rather than forking out a few grand for replacement fibreglass. But Plotloss said the same thing as you, so maybe I'm missing something obvious.
Perhaps you could solve your problem by getting a copy of the seller's Autoline report and ringing HPI to check that it's still applicable. Although they may charge you for that.
Just one other point - even if the car is sound, you may be getting it cheap (bloody cheap actually!) now, but you'll also get less than for similar cars when you come to sell, as you'll have to disclose the accident damage at that time.
NB - apologies if I appear negative. I'm 100% mechanically inept, so I needed the peace of mind that a dealer (Fernhurst) brings. You doubtless know more than me (you can't know any less!) and can, therefore, afford to take more of a risk.
If you get a good 'un, you'll absolutely love it.
I think the Write Off Categories may change depending on which Data Centre you get them from. The ones that the AA use are these:
A - A vehicle which should be totally crushed, including all its spare parts.
B - A vehicle from which spare parts may be salvaged, but the bodyshell should be crushed and the car should never return to the road.
C - An extensively damaged vehicle which the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could potentially be repaired to a high standard.
D - A damaged vehicle that the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could be repaired and returned to the road.
F - A vehicle damaged by fire, which the insurer has decided not to repair.
Theft - These vehicles have not been recovered and ownership rests with the insurer who made the total loss payment. They are able to repossess the car as soon as it is identified, even if it has been bought innocently.
Hope this helps, as it will say on the report which category. Its worth finding out if Autoline use the same ones.
Matt.
A - A vehicle which should be totally crushed, including all its spare parts.
B - A vehicle from which spare parts may be salvaged, but the bodyshell should be crushed and the car should never return to the road.
C - An extensively damaged vehicle which the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could potentially be repaired to a high standard.
D - A damaged vehicle that the insurer has decided not to repair, but which could be repaired and returned to the road.
F - A vehicle damaged by fire, which the insurer has decided not to repair.
Theft - These vehicles have not been recovered and ownership rests with the insurer who made the total loss payment. They are able to repossess the car as soon as it is identified, even if it has been bought innocently.
Hope this helps, as it will say on the report which category. Its worth finding out if Autoline use the same ones.
Matt.
Dopamine, by any chance is this a starmist green one with magnolian hide, somewhere near you ish ? If it is I looked at this car last year and all looked fine, however when I traced the history back the garage that repaired it said it took the months to make it sit on all four wheels at the same time and when I looked at it it looked great only had done about 15k from memory but the first garage repaired it at 23k be very very wary, also heard of another one which had been repaired with scafalding poles instead of chassis rails make sure you do the research well and speak to everyone who ever owned it and serviced it !!!
I have come across Autolign in the past. They are approved by the insurance companies to provide an report based on the repairs carried out to the car.
For example, if the car was a "write-off" but was repaired for the road again, basically there is nothing much you need to do - get an MOT and you are off. However, on a HPI check it will be noted as a "write-off". However, an Autolign check can have this changed from "write-off" to "condition inspected". This means that it has been repaired to the manufacturer standards and satisfies the insurance companies.
Doesnt wipe the slate clean, but does reduce the worry for anyone purchasing a car that has had such a check on it. You pay for this and it can be quite costly - especially if you fail it. But once it has been done, it is a fair guide to the quality of the repair.
Me, not sure what I would do. I have had written off cars in the past as I have had them independantly checked over. However, with a TVR you might like to shop around - there are plenty around - and get one that is clean.... not wishing to put you off that car in anyway, but it is a buyers market at the moment and you have the cash.
P.S. You might like to check some of the independant specialists:
www.davidgeraldtvr.com
www.adrianblyth.co.uk
Both of them have nice condition Chimaeras going for lowish money - and you get a legal comeback on them...
Cheers,
Paul
For example, if the car was a "write-off" but was repaired for the road again, basically there is nothing much you need to do - get an MOT and you are off. However, on a HPI check it will be noted as a "write-off". However, an Autolign check can have this changed from "write-off" to "condition inspected". This means that it has been repaired to the manufacturer standards and satisfies the insurance companies.
Doesnt wipe the slate clean, but does reduce the worry for anyone purchasing a car that has had such a check on it. You pay for this and it can be quite costly - especially if you fail it. But once it has been done, it is a fair guide to the quality of the repair.
Me, not sure what I would do. I have had written off cars in the past as I have had them independantly checked over. However, with a TVR you might like to shop around - there are plenty around - and get one that is clean.... not wishing to put you off that car in anyway, but it is a buyers market at the moment and you have the cash.
P.S. You might like to check some of the independant specialists:
www.davidgeraldtvr.com
www.adrianblyth.co.uk
Both of them have nice condition Chimaeras going for lowish money - and you get a legal comeback on them...
Cheers,
Paul
Once again, thanks for all the responses!
JNA, Thanks for the tip, but this one is a shiny blue number that I will be giving a serious once (and twice) over on saturday.
Paul, thanks for the info on Autolign, thats kind of what I hoped it would be, and the car is indeed marked as condition inspected.
Matt, cheers for the comprehesive reply!
Regards,
TC
JNA, Thanks for the tip, but this one is a shiny blue number that I will be giving a serious once (and twice) over on saturday.
Paul, thanks for the info on Autolign, thats kind of what I hoped it would be, and the car is indeed marked as condition inspected.
Matt, cheers for the comprehesive reply!
Regards,
TC
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