would you buy it?
Discussion
We've seen a 1989 110 defender, HPI check shows it was a category C written off and repaired 6 years ago (ie over £2000 damage). Repair was basically replacemant chassis (so no rust now, i guess) and a couple of front panels.
It drives well, and the insurers, after first saying they wanted an engineer's report, now say a faxed copy of the MOT will do. Should we insist on a report anyway? Are we/the insurers (through a broker, some outfit called Fortis, anyoune know them?) mad? Would you buy it, or walk away?
It drives well, and the insurers, after first saying they wanted an engineer's report, now say a faxed copy of the MOT will do. Should we insist on a report anyway? Are we/the insurers (through a broker, some outfit called Fortis, anyoune know them?) mad? Would you buy it, or walk away?
Yeah, if the price is right. All a write off means that it was uneconomical for the insurer to repair it. If it was so badly damaged so as not to be repairable then it would be a cat B.
It is possible somebody has repaired it to good quality with new/reconditioned parts and cheap/own labour. They can then have it inspected and the damage indicated is changed to an inspection indicator.
If in doubt get an AA/RAC/LR inspection. Should be able to achieve 60-70% book price.
It is possible somebody has repaired it to good quality with new/reconditioned parts and cheap/own labour. They can then have it inspected and the damage indicated is changed to an inspection indicator.
If in doubt get an AA/RAC/LR inspection. Should be able to achieve 60-70% book price.
Liszt on grog said:
They can then have it inspected and the damage indicated is changed to an inspection indicator.
thanks for the reply - can you explain what you mean in this bit? would a basic inspection, eg by the AA, be enough to do this, and does it mean the status of the HPI report would change? would you need to send the report to the DVLA?
TIA for any help
I've got my 110 CSW on a policy with Fortis. I had never heard of them either but they were very competitive - half the price of NU for example. A lot of insurers wouldn't quote because it has more than 9 seats. According to my contact at a broker, the Fortis policy is a good one.
Ordinarily I wouldn't touch a repaired write-off with a bargepole, however Land Rovers are not like other cars. They are just a giant meccano set really, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be fine so long as it was repaired properly.
Ordinarily I wouldn't touch a repaired write-off with a bargepole, however Land Rovers are not like other cars. They are just a giant meccano set really, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be fine so long as it was repaired properly.
Look at the HPI website. THere is a company that does these inspections (or organise a subcontractor) They do an inspection of the vehicle and if it is safe to put back on the road they will inform the DVLA. THe HPI marker will change from substantial damage to repaired and inspected.
If this has been done then all you need is an AA/RAC/LR inspection to convinve yourself of the state of the vehicle. With cat C/D it is not about safety but money which causes the write off.
If you are interested definatly get it HPI'd. Or ask a friendly PHer with access to HPI to run a check for you.
If this has been done then all you need is an AA/RAC/LR inspection to convinve yourself of the state of the vehicle. With cat C/D it is not about safety but money which causes the write off.
If you are interested definatly get it HPI'd. Or ask a friendly PHer with access to HPI to run a check for you.
Thanks for your help - after checking both the HPI site and the DVLA site we thought it through, and this car has no paperwork at all about the repair, so that would put us needing to get the necessary "Thatcham approved" report to change its HPI status and at the price it just felt like too many hoops to jump through for future peace of mind.
I agree, normally write offs would be a complete no-no, but Landies are different. Having said that, altho' it this one may be fine, there is currently no proof this particular repair was properly done.
I'll remember the advice about Fortis, too.
The search continues!!![](http://www.pistonheads.com/include/images/smile.gif)
I agree, normally write offs would be a complete no-no, but Landies are different. Having said that, altho' it this one may be fine, there is currently no proof this particular repair was properly done.
I'll remember the advice about Fortis, too.
The search continues!!
![](http://www.pistonheads.com/include/images/smile.gif)
At the end of the day for a land rover, the worst possible action needed to fix either a bodged or non-existent repair is to replace teh chassis. Thats it...!
If you spank your mondeo or whatever and it twists the chassis, it monocoque design means a repair can be tricky - twisted metal being harder to rectify.
With a ladder chassis of the landrover, you just cut out the relative part back to straight metal and repair. Or failing that, unbolt every thing and bolt it back ona new chassis!
I would not bat an eyelid i don't think, for a written off land rover - however it might be worth your while to check brakes and suspension etc......
If the price is right and the insurance company are fine, i would say go for it!!
![](http://www.pistonheads.com/include/images/smile.gif)
If you spank your mondeo or whatever and it twists the chassis, it monocoque design means a repair can be tricky - twisted metal being harder to rectify.
With a ladder chassis of the landrover, you just cut out the relative part back to straight metal and repair. Or failing that, unbolt every thing and bolt it back ona new chassis!
I would not bat an eyelid i don't think, for a written off land rover - however it might be worth your while to check brakes and suspension etc......
If the price is right and the insurance company are fine, i would say go for it!!
Sorry JSG and Buffalo, haven't looked at this in a little while so failed to thank you for your opinions. We said no, Buffalo, as we felt the price didn't really acknowledge the situation. Still looking, but not in a great rush. Nice one in Beaconsfield last week but it went in a day before we could get to it.
JSG, like the new toy!
JSG, like the new toy!
Ensure the car is legit.
Lots of Newly restored landys out there on new chassis have new chassis because the car was originally stolen.
If the car is a re-build with a new chassis ask 1 question:
if it is a relatively late model (92 on) defender, then why did it need a new chassis?
If it was genuinely written off and re-build then fine buy it, If you are not certain of this then in all likelyhood the car could be stolen, and new chassis used to change its identity.
I know of this dodgy activity around Doncaster area, so buyer beware.
Other than this a new chassis on a landy is a reason to buy.
Neil.
Lots of Newly restored landys out there on new chassis have new chassis because the car was originally stolen.
If the car is a re-build with a new chassis ask 1 question:
if it is a relatively late model (92 on) defender, then why did it need a new chassis?
If it was genuinely written off and re-build then fine buy it, If you are not certain of this then in all likelyhood the car could be stolen, and new chassis used to change its identity.
I know of this dodgy activity around Doncaster area, so buyer beware.
Other than this a new chassis on a landy is a reason to buy.
Neil.
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