CAT D Vehicle rules/paperwork?

[ginge191]

Browsing vehicles and Category D cars are coming up all over the place

Most can be rightly wary, but CAT D only refers to cosmetic damage outweighing the value of the car.

I've just phoned a dealer on a car i'm looking at and asking what paperwork comes with the car's CAT D status and he says paperwork from the RAC and similar are optional.

Is there any paperwork that MUST be presented. They're a warehouse dealership who have a fair few decent cars and a fairly reputable name. 

Tinternet states that CAT C or B vehicles need a VIC pass marker, but CAT D? not a lot of information

HPICheck.com
If a vehicle is damaged and an insurance claim is processed for it, the insurer will either authorise repairs to the vehicle, or write it off (declare it a total loss). If it is written off, it will be recorded in a write off category, A, B, C, or D. A and B cars are so badly damaged they should never appear back on the road. C and D vehicles can be repaired and returned to the road, but you should exercise caution with them, and check the repairs have been done correctly and fully. A vehicle inspection should be able to confirm the quality of repairs and general road worthiness of the vehicle. If you buy a category C (or B, if you're looking to break it for parts), make sure that it has a VIC pass markeragainst it otherwise you won't be able to get a new V5C registration document issued for it.

If anyone can give me a heads up on this, would appreciate it

[Mattcheese31]

Cat D is good to go afaik mate, just cosmetic so as the Cornish lot say, drash on

[Toms306]

If its a previous cat d you don't need paperwork, but it will be stated on the V5.

If its current cat d they won't issue log book without a vic check (personal experience last year).

[Mattcheese31]

Tom are you sure?

[ginge191]

If its a previous cat d you don't need paperwork, but it will be stated on the V5.

If its current cat d they won't issue log book without a vic check (personal experience last year).

the vehicle, since the CAT D, has passed an MOT also; would this not be affected by a illegitimate V5? Or, would that be, as you say, a 'previous' CAT D? 
little confused; how is a vehicle currently or previously a CAT D?

[Mattcheese31]

Think you're wrong tbh mate, sure they didn't cat c it?

[ginge191]

Think you're wrong tbh mate, sure they didn't cat c it?

Is that to me or Tom?

The vehicle is definitely a CAT D and the insurers have told me they'll happily insure the car given it's had an MOT since the write off, which it has.

[welshpug]

D does not need VIC.

[Mattcheese31]

Think you're wrong tbh mate, sure they didn't cat c it?

Is that to me or Tom?

The vehicle is definitely a CAT D and the insurers have told me they'll happily insure the car given it's had an MOT since the write off, which it has.

It was to Tom oh ginger one x

[ginge191]

D does not need VIC.

I know this much; i'm just wondering what it DOES need   as browsing the interwebs, there's various sources mentioning reports of types, not a VIC as such, but RAC checks and similar

[Mattcheese31]

D does not need VIC.

I know this much; i'm just wondering what it DOES need   as browsing the interwebs, there's various sources mentioning reports of types, not a VIC as such, but RAC checks and similar

You can always get a motoring organization to check any car over mate, it's just fir your peace of mind

[Toms306]

I was also under the impression cat d didn't need one...until I couldn't get a v5 without...which made scrapping the already stripped shell interesting lol. I'll see if I can find the letter.

[xudlingo]

Cat d means nothing isn't even on v5 only cat c is. I bought a cat c car before had mot paper in car so I didn't even have to mot it only a cat c needs vic

[Toms306]

Well this is frustrating, I can't find the letter now.

It was definitely Cat D, had the smashed rear quarter and bent boot floor, I said at the time it should've been higher than a D. Bought it for parts and asked the owner to leave the V5 in the car...he wouldn't (can't trust anyone these days I guess lol) so I got on with stripping the car anyway. About a week later I received a letter from DVLA saying they wouldn't issue a V5 without a VIC check. By that time it was just a shell...and the scrap yards wouldn't collect it without the V5. In the end I had to go with a new yard who didn't ask about the V5 over the phone...the guy turned up and had to call several people (presumably at his office) before he reluctantly took it.

I won't be making the same mistake again lol!

[Mattcheese31]

So how do you know it was a cat d then? Did it mention it on the letter? Sounds like cat c damage at least tbh mate

[ginge191]

Well this is frustrating, I can't find the letter now.

It was definitely Cat D, had the smashed rear quarter and bent boot floor, I said at the time it should've been higher than a D.  Bought it for parts and asked the owner to leave the V5 in the car...he wouldn't (can't trust anyone these days I guess lol) so I got on with stripping the car anyway.  About a week later I received a letter from DVLA saying they wouldn't issue a V5 without a VIC check.  By that time it was just a shell...and the scrap yards wouldn't collect it without the V5.  In the end I had to go with a new yard who didn't ask about the V5 over the phone...the guy turned up and had to call several people (presumably at his office) before he reluctantly took it.

I won't be making the same mistake again lol!

That sounds like a CAT C - boot floors would be a structural, surelly, rather than cosmetic.

[Toms306]

Yeah it was on the letter, as I say it seemed odd at the time. It wouldn't have been cat D if I'd assessed it lol. Do cars stay on the HPI check for an amount of time after being scrapped? Or anything else that shows write off status? Gonna annoy me until I can prove either way now.

[toseland]

In a Nutshell:

Cat A - Serious damage to structure/shell making repair dangerous -immediately crushed, all parts included (used for fatalities etc)
Cat B- As cat A damage wise shell to be crushed, serviceable parts can be removed prior
Cat C- Cost of repair outweighs Cost of vehicle worth,
Cat D -Cosmetic damage only, Time involved in repair uneconomical, (lead time for parts complexity of repair etc)


a 306 with rear end damage could quite feasibly be CatD, the parts are unavailable or would take ages to find so its a writeoff.

Perfectly fixable, however

my old vitara was Cat C in 2005, front end damage and side door, purely cosmetic, was bought, repaired with panels, MOTed and certified fine!

never had an issue with insurance.

[Iceman299]

In a Nutshell:

Cat A - Serious damage to structure/shell making repair dangerous -immediately crushed, all parts included (used for fatalities etc)
Cat B- As cat A damage wise shell to be crushed, serviceable parts can be removed prior
Cat C- Cost of repair outweighs Cost of vehicle worth,
Cat D -Cosmetic damage only, Time involved in repair uneconomical, (lead time for parts complexity of repair etc)


a 306 with rear end damage could quite feasibly be CatD,     the parts are unavailable or would take ages to find so its a writeoff.

Perfectly fixable, however

my old vitara was Cat C in 2005,  front end damage and side door, purely cosmetic,  was bought, repaired with panels, MOTed and certified fine!

never had an issue with insurance.

Isn't Cat D minor cosmetic damage where cost of repair outweighs cost of vehicle worth?

I've had a couple of cars written off as cat D for that reason. Didn't need to send logbook back or anything so new buyer wouldn't know a thing had i not told them.

Best to do a hpi check these days for that reason. Autotrader app is pretty good now as it automatically tells you if a car is a cat D/C at the top of the ad

[1616six]

We had this the other day.

Cat A - crush
Cat B - usually parts but they CAN be put back on the road (some don't believe this but they can)
Cat C - repair outweighs the value of the vehicle, can be structural. - needs VIC until Oct 15 when the VIC is no longer existent.
Cat D - Light non structural damage that outweighs the value.

In short, only a Cat B and C need a VIC check. VIC check won't exist after Oct 15.



Cat D you won't need or get any additional paperwork.

I'd buy a Cat D as long as you give it a good look over and get it at a good price, resale value will be affected.

[Seb_Ryan]

I thought cat d didnt show on v5?

[Toms306]

Well, I'm an idiot.  Yes, yes, I know we already knew that.

Was so damn sure it was cat D, even in my breaking thread back then I wrote cat D and how it didn't seem right.  Well judging by the title of the ad it was a Cat C afterall.  Hate it when I'm so sure about something but wrong, just makes me doubt even more lol. I do apologise for causing confusion, sorry.

[attachment=22958]


However, just to cause even more confusion, I did break another one that was a cat D due to a damaged bumper and rad. Just got given the V5 for that one so had no issue anyway. That was over 2 years ago, so a small scuff can easily cat D them now!

[Mattcheese31]

Haha kudos for admitting you were wrong mate, I did a lot of reading up last year after mine got written off cat b, knew I was right x

[procta]

Well this is frustrating, I can't find the letter now.

It was definitely Cat D, had the smashed rear quarter and bent boot floor, I said at the time it should've been higher than a D.  Bought it for parts and asked the owner to leave the V5 in the car...he wouldn't (can't trust anyone these days I guess lol) so I got on with stripping the car anyway.  About a week later I received a letter from DVLA saying they wouldn't issue a V5 without a VIC check.  By that time it was just a shell...and the scrap yards wouldn't collect it without the V5.  In the end I had to go with a new yard who didn't ask about the V5 over the phone...the guy turned up and had to call several people (presumably at his office) before he reluctantly took it.

I won't be making the same mistake again lol!

you could have said you bought it from another breaker, so it was already scrapped, I told the yard who took my old shell away. They were going cube it anyway, the lads saw that I had used it as a donor car so they didn't care.