Damage repaired - opinions?

G'day to all. Could you let me have any thoughts about the above? This describes my own 2000 996 C2. It was previously recorded by DVLA but has been very nicely repaired (you cannot tell) and fully inspected and certified as straight. It has full OPC SH until the last one which was local specialist and was under OPC warranty for three years. I paid a lot less than I would have for a 'straight' car and have been very happy with it - no issues other than air con rads! After 2yrs the time may have come to upgrade, so my question is this - IF you were prepared to buy one like this then what sort of discount should be applied? Low mileage, 60k and paintwork nigh on immaculate. Your thoughts, oh learned sirs....

Hi Rich Was it Cat D or Cat C? WHO declared it straight exactly please? I agree these kind of things if done properly can be a great cheap way into ownership Kind Regards Edward

I'd want around 10-15% reduction if the repair was a good as you say, but would probably save a bit more up and buy one with geniune spec not repaired!!! Thats just my opion mind. Be wary though as cheap 911's scare some people.

The biggest issue is come time to sell your market is 100 times smaller - bear that in mind. One thing to get it cheap but could be nightmare to offload later.

I think Jeff has hit the nail on the head. It is a tiny proportion of buyers who will consider a CatC or CatD write-off. No matter how well it has been repaired, that's what it is - an insurance write-off, and it has a huge stigma attached. I think Barrie was being generous, and you would be looking at 25-30% less than an equivalent car without the tag. Just my 2p's worth. (But at least the radio is working now!) :wink: :wink:

I too think Barrie was being generous and would expect prices to be reduced at least by - Cat D - >25% Cat C - >33% I understand there is an inspection company that can certify the repairs, but I'm not sure whether the vehicle is removed from the register as being an insurance write-off. It wouldn't be something I'd buy, but certainly others do and, as mentioned, the market for write-offs is seriously reduced compared to straight cars. Someone may even come along and not even check..... :dont know:

Those reductions are spot-on IMO. These are the guys who do the inspections: http://www.autoligninspections.co.uk/inspections.html

+1 Would walk away, could be trouble for the future, there are plenty of good cars out there.

Hey. Sorry about the delay but a short stop in hospital meant I was out of the loop for a bit! Just to make it clear, I already own the car in question and have done for two years. It was CAT D and the inspection was done by Autolign. The HPI shows as 'Inspected' now. Only 60k on the clock, silver with turbo wheels and dark blue leather. I paid the equivalent of a high mileage '98 model when I bought it and bearing in mind what we have all been through finacially (!) that equated then to about the reduction you talk about, 25% ish. I hear what you say about someone may not even check but the chap I bought it from was very clear and straightforward and I intend to be the same. If it doesn't sell for a while, then hey, I'll have to keep driving it!! I bought it because it was the best value 996 I could afford at the time, and I had to have a 996. Amazing to see what that amount of money would get you now. Thanks for the opinions. Rich

A little bit of useless information here for what it's worth to anyone - A vehicle with CAT-C classification will have - 'This vehicle has been subject to a substantial repair and has been recorded as a total loss by the insurer' written across the bottom of the V5 document in bold type. This looks quite nasty and will put off many buyers. *BUT* Beware, if the owner changes the plate on the car to a different reg, the information disappears, the V5 comes back with a clear notes section. This is not common knowledge, only the darkest traders know of this secret. However, a HPI or Experian report will flag up any bad history regardless of a plate change. The only company that can remove a category classification is the insurance company that put it there but I have never seen this happen.