Hi
Recently a mate of mine rang me up to say he had seen this Focus that had slight damage to the front. In hindsight now I so wish I had gone with him and feel very guilty about it
Anyway.
He went to purchase the car and bought it for £400 (2000 zetec) . The log book was with it but no service history etc.
We worked on it for a few days and after a week apart from the odd dent which was very minor it was ready for its MOT.
DISASTER!
The damage underneath was severe with arms bent, steering rack + the whole exhaust was wrecked. It looked to me and the MOT inspector that it had mounted a high curb or something similar and just bent the whole underside. Whether this had been in the crash or not I do not know but I suspect so.
The damaged parts will come to around £300, but a huge amount of labour is required. With £250 spent already + £300 needed on top of the £400 we are now on £950 and re spray still needs to be done + all four wheels are borderline and front pads too but they did pass.
The damage was so severe I checked with the DVLA and surprise it was a CAT D. There was no evidence to support this that was given to him all he got was a ‘Sold as seen’ receipt and a log book but no mention of a CAT D.
So it seems my mate in one way or another has been sold a ‘Dog’.
Now this is my question to you guys as I keep getting conflicting views on a CAT D. It seems that it’s the lowest form of damage that could be finance as to give the customer a hire car exceeds the damage repair etc so it’s more of a finance write off if you see what I mean. Does it still need a VIC?
Can it be driven once an MOT has been passed and/or if not can it be advertised on E-bay etc but description as a CAT D but has been repaired?
Some say NO, as long as it passes it’s MOT on a CAT D it is as if it’s a normal car and a VIC is not needed...Some say YES a VIC is needed and it must be described as a CAT D and if to be sold on from the owner needs another test a very detailed one (the name escapes me) before it can be sold on.
I have also heard that if a MOT has been completed and a VIC completed it is fine to drive by the purchaser but if he sells it on further tests by law need to be investigated into?
Remember this is a Cat D...Not C B or A
Can anyone enlighten me on this?
