Cat D write off

[Magpie84]

We've just been to have a look at a 09 Yamaha MT03. It all looked ok but [mention]SometimesSansEngine[/mention] has just done an hpi check on the bike for me and it's come back as a cat D write off and the guy didn't mention it once while we had a chat or did he mention that there was an advisory on the front brakes. I get that he wants to sell it but I'd rather buy from someone who tells me all the facts not find out after.

Unfortunately I can't take the bike for a test ride yet but it was running when we arrived and sounded ok (the battery had gone flat so he'd had to jump it), no knocking that I could hear.

It's bugging both of us that he didn't mention the cat D, and he owns a car garage so would know about it and the implications. Any advice on Cat D's? Are they best to avoid or could it just be a minor thing (I'm going to ask him if he knows about it and what happened)?

[Magpie84]

This is a link to the bike on eBay if anyone is interested.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F254024834197

[Guest]

I wonder if the custom paint has anything to do with an accident repair? A private seller doesn't have to tell you and he might not know so ask and see what he says. Might have been minor and repaired well and therefore a good bargaining chip. Any suspicious though I'd keep looking.

[Stu]

I wouldn't touch it!

if he has failed to mention those things what else is he hiding?

IMO they could be pretty minor so why not mention them!

Keep looking the right bike will come along

[M620]

Cat D or Cat N as it is now “should” only be cosmetic damage. The old cat C (now cat S) indicates structural damage and would need inspections to put back on the road.

I have brought Cat D’s from people who are up front about the history but they are worth considerably less than a bike with a clean history.

Also some insurance companies can refuse to insure them for anything other than third party only.

[SometimesSansEngine]

IMO they could be pretty minor so why not mention them!

 

That's been my concern. He said all the usual (I'm very honest etc) but didn't bring this up.

I know a private seller doesn't have to mention it but he's in the automotive trade in general so must know about the status.

I've told her to run some insurance quotes and also try and get some more history. But Spidey senses are tingling.

[Six30]

Just messaged him asking if it's HPI clear.... see what he come back with.

[Six30]

Here's his reply ... tut tut

[Magpie84]

Here's his reply ... tut tut

 

Wow thanks for that! I think I'll be leaving it then.

[SometimesSansEngine]

Clever lad [mention]Six30[/mention], ta

[Gerontious]

Personally. I would walk away from that. Its blatantly dishonest not to mention that it was written off and I couldn't care less if its 'only' a Cat D. When you buy a bike from a private seller there has to be a measure of trust. That has gone out of the window with this seller.

There will always be another. Patience.

[mikestrivens]

it would be interesting to see what he says if you message him that HPI says it's a Cat D write-off. But yes definitely walk away from this one

[Guest]

it would be interesting to see what he says if you message him that HPI says it's a Cat D write-off. But yes definitely walk away from this one

 

Yeah @[mention]Six30[/mention] ask him about the write off. I'd like to see what the bugger says about it. Shady barsteward as it is.

[geofferz]

Let's all message him saying he's as straight as a 9 bob note.

[Magpie84]

Just asked him about it. This is after he's text me to say he's had an offer on it and did I want first refusal

[XO71]

Unfortunately I can't take the bike for a test ride yet but it was running when we arrived and sounded ok (the battery had gone flat so he'd had to jump it), no knocking that I could hear.

 

The fact that it was running when you arrived sounds suspicious in of itself. Thus speaks the voice of bitter experience..

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

A wall fell on it! It's possible that's caused more than just cosmetic damage. As everyone has said, walk away and be glad you checked it out.

[Six30]

Is this the seller ...

[Guest]

Brilliant excuse. He says repaired by insurance, I thought if it was a category write off they had deemed it uneconomical to repair so the repairs wouldn't be funded by insurance or have I got that wrong?

[Stu]

if the insurance had repaired it then it wouldn't have a custom paint job it would all the original colours!

[Magpie84]

My understanding is that they'll give you a pay out of the value of the bike rather than repair the bike or at least that's how it works with cars.

[Gerontious]

when a bike is written off. the owner gets a payout and the bike becomes the property of the insurer and is usually sold later. Or.. the original owner usually has the option of buying the bike at its 'scrap value' and then effecting repairs. But.. the bike will forever more be a write off.

so.. in theory yes. the bike may well have been repaired with insurance money. but definitely not by the insurer. It was done either by the original owner. or that is another 'fib' and the bike was bought cheap at auction and repaired by that buyer.

There are people who specialise in this sort of thing. buying write offs and then repairing them and selling them on at a profit. sometimes a very good profit. Im talking about honest buyers. not the types that will bodge a repair.. or even worse. repair a bike that should be crushed.

My own bike came from that type. It had been stood for a year and he fixed it up. replaced a few things so the bike was 'sorted' - it had never been damaged, it was written off due to the payout being made after it was knicked and the bike not turning up for a year. it spent that time in a lockup. so needed new tyres. battery. and ignition and locks replaced. service and MOT.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Gerontious

[Six30]

We've just been to have a look at a 09 Yamaha MT03. It all looked ok but @SometimesSansEngine has just done an hpi check on the bike for me and it's come back as a cat D write off and the guy didn't mention it once while we had a chat or did he mention that there was an advisory on the front brakes. I get that he wants to sell it but I'd rather buy from someone who tells me all the facts not find out after.

Unfortunately I can't take the bike for a test ride yet but it was running when we arrived and sounded ok (the battery had gone flat so he'd had to jump it), no knocking that I could hear.

It's bugging both of us that he didn't mention the cat D, and he owns a car garage so would know about it and the implications. Any advice on Cat D's? Are they best to avoid or could it just be a minor thing (I'm going to ask him if he knows about it and what happened)?

 

Last change of keeper on HPI report would of been when he bought it , was it written off before that date of after ?

[Gerontious]

A bike.. particularly one thats a few years old. and say... the manufacturer no longer supplies fairings. can be written off as a Cat D for simply falling over. a cracked.. split or otherwise damaged fairing is more than enough.

Insurers demand the bike to be put back 'as was' - but its often the case this is impossible. though anyone else will just buy a second hand fairing part and perhaps have it resprayed, or the entire bike resprayed to match.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Gerontious

[mikestrivens]

A bike.. particularly one thats a few years old. and say... the manufacturer no longer supplies fairings. can be written off as a Cat D for simply falling over. a cracked.. split or otherwise damaged fairing is more than enough.

 

as [mention]Liveware Problem[/mention] knows only too well