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Thoughts please.....

I was going to go and pick up our new (old) camper van tomorrow. It's a T4 and in lovely condition for a 1992 vehicle (85K on the clock) but I have done an HPI check this evening and discovered it was a Cat D insurance write off in 2001 - should I run screaming / be worried  / not worry it's probably not a big deal. Current owner wasn't owner in 2001 so may not know what the problem was.

My wife has very good 'instincts' and says she has had a good feeling about this van all along and is happy to buy - she's usually ultra-cautious.

Any one ultra-knowledgable about insurance out there got a thought?

Mike

All cat d means is that it is un-echonomical to repair.

This could mean anything but mainly depends on the age of the age of the van etc.

I had a bike accident a few years ago and the bike was valued at 3k. The damage was estimated as reapair at 3200. the insurers therefore wrote it off paid me 3k. I then brought the bike back from the insurers for 1700 and spent 650 repairing it myself. therefore it was always a cat d registered bike but perfect for me because | had repaired it myself.

unless you are getting a massive discount i would steer clear. you will probably have trouble selling it on yourself. You will have no idea what the standard of repair is likely to be. Most cat Ds are repaired by  the diy mechanic. But like I say it depends how cheap it's going to be.

Thanks Pahagah, wise words and a second opinion is always appreciated. We shall have a good think and see what the seller has to say.

Mike

I found a 2001 VW trooper last week at a very reasonable price, as we fancied a newer one we were going to go and look, after further questioning it turned out to be a 'cat D', apparently they had had a chip pan fire in it the photos of the inside looked ok, but it may still smell! what worried me was the fact that we may also have problems trying to sell it when the time comes, so didnt go to see it, still it will make a cheap camper for someone that wants to take the risk.

Alison

Quote: Originally posted by J99 DUB on 30/7/2007

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I found a 2001 VW trooper last week at a very reasonable price, as we fancied a newer one we were going to go and look, after further questioning it turned out to be a 'cat D', apparently they had had a chip pan fire in it the photos of the inside looked ok, but it may still smell! what worried me was the fact that we may also have problems trying to sell it when the time comes, so didnt go to see it, still it will make a cheap camper for someone that wants to take the risk.

Alison

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something like this at the right price and photographic evidence of the damage can be a bargain for someone. Providing they have plans to keep it for a long time and are not making any plans to sell it.