Buying New Car - Well Maybe

[antodeco]

Hi All,
Im looking at a 1275GT Clubman at the moment. It was imported from the UK in 2007. It hasnt been taxed since then, but the VRT has been paid (Has an Irish Reg). I did a history check on it, and it turns out it has been classed as having Category C damage (Category C: Vehicle extensively damaged and insurer has decided not to repair. The vehicle should have an independent inspection before being allowed back onto the road.)

Now, I had a look at the car and it looks perfect. Admittedly, I dont know what to look out for in bodywork to know what I should avoid. The owner said it had been restored and cost a a fair bit. Ive asked to supply evidence (photos and reports) but I havent heard anything back yet. Should I walk away from this?

Any help would be much appreciated, because I dont want to fork out a couple of grand for a deathtrap.

Thanks

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Check with your insurance company and see if they will even insure a Cat C write off first.

[antodeco]

Its registered as Cat C in the UK, would that make a difference?

Im looking at the irish Clubman on donedeal too. Would this be a better choice as its an original Irish?

Thanks

[macker]

something sounds a bit dodgy about it to me, maybe its had the reg from an irish car swapped onto, maybe something else, but personally i would walk away,

the one on donedeal looks good!

[antodeco]

I should go with my gut I suppose! It's never been taxed here either. If it seems dodgy, it must be I suppose!

[gareth]

In fairness CAT C is a financial write off not as bad as a CAT D. The insurance company are only stating it is better for them to pay the value of the car than to pay for repairs they are not saying its not safe to repair. That is CAT D.-Scrap only. If you remember correctly BUDDY's Tahitti Sportspack was close to being 'written off' recently and only had a ball joint that had given way in a bad pothole causing damage to the A-panel and CV joint. Minis have a tendancy to get writen off in the uk for the smallest thing. My uncle had a civic coupe that i bought off him after being 'writen off' and it had a crack in the bumper approx 2 inches long and a broken headlight.

Don't be too concerned about it in my opinion take the car for its current condition. As with regards the Tax minis are often bought as a hobby car and live in a garage most of their life so dont get taxed. My mini wasn't taxed for about the first 2 years of ownership.

If you like the car and the condition and the price is right.

[Deadly Dave]

You should check the chassis and enging number match the Log book.

[niallm]

As Gareth said it may be nothing major

Although I think he has one point slighty wrong

In the uk there are 4 types of Category with regards to vehicle damage

•Category A: Scrap only (i.e. with few or no economically salvageable parts and which is of value only for scrap metal
•Category B: Break for spare parts if economically viable (excluding any residual scrap value)
•Category C: Repairable total loss vehicles where repair costs including VAT exceed the vehicle's pre-accident value
•Category D: Repairable total loss vehicle where repair costs including VAT do not exceed the vehicle's pre-accident value

Alot of older cars will easily fall into CAT C/D basically because of the age of the car and insurance companies view of its value


Best of luck with whatever road you go down

Niall

[antodeco]

Thanks for all the replies. I've asked for a report done on all the existing restoration, aswell as the engine chassis number. They said there's no book for it, as it's never been taxed here before...

[The Marcos Graveyard]

They should have the V5 form from the UK, you need that to prove ownership, otherwise it might be stolen.

You'll also need the V5 if you ever intend to import the Mini into Ireland.

[antodeco]

It's already been imported and on Irish plates. I did a check on the reg and it wasn't stolen (assuming it's not a clone). I've asked them to provide me with the chassis number anyway.

Thanks

[gareth]

Your dead right niall. I go asleep after about 9pm these days with the meds i'm on.... But the basic point i was making wasn't lost. Ha hahahaha......

Asfor the no log book the current system when importing cars is that there is no irish log book for the car until it is taxed for first time. You just get an RF100 form (i think thats the number) which is kinda a carbon copy of a hand writen paper form and a receipt for the vrt payment. You bring this along with proof of insurance to the tax office and pay for tax then the registration cert (log book) is posted to you. Just go and inspect the car thouroghly.....

[antodeco]

I did have a good look at all the seals and it all looked out. But as I said, I would be no way an expert in knowing what to look for. Ive asked them for the engine chassis number and the VIC form (for proof from when it was written off). Ive also asked for reports on the restoration. I asked for these yesterday and sent another mail today as a reminder. Normally I get a reply within a few hours from him. I am still waiting though. If I dont get a response by the weekend, Im going to walk away. Its such a shame though. The car was fantastic. Had a perfect engine, that needed no warm up time. Choke was only out for around 20 seconds before it could stay on, on its own.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Had a perfect engine, that needed no warm up time. Choke was only out for around 20 seconds before it could stay on, on its own.

[antodeco]

Had a perfect engine, that needed no warm up time. Choke was only out for around 20 seconds before it could stay on, on its own.

The engine from cold, could be left with the choke for 20 seconds, then put back in. Drove perfectly. There was no need to let it warm up at all. Does that make sense?

[keith]

only makes sense if the mixture was set a little rich. or the timing a little off for optimum running at normal temp. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, just something to keep in mind.
I'm comming round to the view that we should encourage sellers to provide current NCT test results when selling.
I believe that to be tha case in Oz and California. and yes, even for older vehicles: safety does not stop being an important for cares registered before 1-1-80.