GolfGTIforum.co.uk

hi everyone thanks for all the valuable feedback , I have no idea how much I should be paying . any ideas thanks

From Raw2K Vehicle Auctions web site (Google is your friend );

How much value does a Category N car lose?
Even if a Cat N car has been repaired competently and to a flawless standard, it will likely see somewhere between a 20% and 40% decrease in sale value, compared to a similar model of the same age, condition and mileage.

Link to website ; https://www.raw2k.co.uk/news/all-your-questions-answered-about-category-n-salvage-cars

As the above is from a vehicle auctions website, I’m assuming that reference to ‘sale value’ relates to an auction sale price, but I’d expect that lower auction price to flow through to the motor trader’s retail price. If it doesn’t, then if a motor trader advertises a Cat N repaired car for the same or similar price as a non-Cat N car, they’re pricing it too high IMHO.

Hi guys,

First post so sorry it’s straight to asking for help. 

I have a 2016GTI PP with 72k miles.

I’ve noticed over the last few weeks a sort of metallic sound at the front of the car when I accelerate at anything more than a potter.

Doesn’t happen when you rev the car at idle so only happens when there is load on the engine. I was worried it was my compressor wheel touching the housing but I’ve checked the turbo and it all appears to be fine.

The car runs and drives fine but my warranty ends in August so if it’s something on its way out I’d rather get it sorted now while it’s free 

I’ve done a short video which you can just about hear it and any help would be very much appreciated.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-8IFKgEUt64?si=fLzmHkzSURvBr8cb

winter wheels off
summer wheels on

I'm sure the book price without damage is around 22k , not really much cheaper do you think I should pay less, also I noticed the hard plastic trim on the sills , front grill and back diffuser have been painted the colour of the car looks smart,,,,,cheers

I think that if I was ever to consider buying a Cat N car, the quality of repairs would be a key factor in deciding whether or not to buy it. I’d either get it professionally inspected or at the very least, take someone along with me to view it who could provide an impartial opinion on the car. Does the seller disclose which parts of the car have been repaired? (presumably they’d know).

I’d also want to view it under different lighting conditions - e.g. natural, bright sunny conditions, under artificial lighting, to see if it was possible to spot the repaired / replaced panels and whether or not there were any differences in paint shade / paint finish between original and factory paint and new paint / new panels.

I’d also be checking all the panel gaps carefully to ensure they were all uniform, checking for signs of paint overspray on rubber seals, whether or not there were any ‘sharp’ edges from masking up, or any areas of poor finishing - e.g. in the engine compartment / tops of wings where they’re bolted to the car, around door and tailgate openings etc.

I’m personally not a big fan of matte black plastic parts being painted in body colour, but we all have different likes and dislikes which is a good thing IMHO . Be aware that if the plastic wasn’t prepped correctly prior to painting, then long term durability of the finish could be compromised - especially in areas subjected to projectile road debris thrown up by the wheels. It would certainly be worth inspecting the painted plastic parts carefully for signs of undue wear and chipping / flaking of the paint. 

A final point - I see from the first and forth pictures of the wheels that one of the plastic wheel bolt covers are showing tell tale signs of what might have been an ‘unsuitable’ (possibly acid based?) cleaner having been used on the wheels as those bolt covers have turned grey (it usually happens to the cover on the locking wheel bolt). There’s also what might be light etching on a couple of the wheels; third picture - the spoke in the 4-5 o’clock position, and forth picture - the spoke in the 10 o’clock position. It might just be that the wheels haven’t been dried very well and it could just be water spots, but worth checking. 

How much cheaper is it than a car without damage?

Leather adds little monetary value but some people love to have it and wouldn't buy a car without it.

Personally I'm not a risk taker so I wouldn't buy a damaged car but it also means I never get a bargain.