Category D or C salvage donor
 

hi all ...new to this forum but i like it already..

im looking to start a new build soon and i am in the process of looking for a salvage donor car..
does anyone know the difference in using a category C and a category D for registration purposes....
i will need to use the engine, gearbox, steering rack, Drive shaft and hubs not much more than that really but i definately dont want a Q plate...

any help or a link with deatails would be great

thanks

In my experience you would be better having a cat D. You can then apply for a V5. Cat C's are generally a couple of hundred pounds cheeper but may land you with a Q plate which may devalue your new car by far more. V5 's for cat C's are not genarally issued without a VIC (vehicle inspection) at which you would need to show your intention to put the car back on the road.
Hope this helps. Stig Mills

cheers for that stig...i didnt realise that the V5's have to be applied for for a cat C write off...hence the probable Q plate....
bit of a bummer having to get the vehicle fixed and then inspected to get the V5 then to just decimate the now fixed chassis for parts..

nft

Thought I would add that all Cat C and D cars are held on record at HPI and may devalue your kitcar depending whats been used (take pics of the damage before stripping as this may help). Also Cat C cars will have information on the log book (if issued) that they have been involved in a accident.. where a Cat D cars wont. Also your right in that Cat C cars need to be inspected before a V5 is issued by DVLA just to make sure its not a ringer...

hope this helps

Steve

cheers for the extra info skull.
just to add a little about the checks on Cat C write offs.
i have sold some of the parts from my Cat D donor to a mechanic who told me that not all Cat C cars need to be checked by a testing station. he usually phones DVLA and gives the registration of the car and they tell him if it needs checking which he said that it was usually only one in three that required the inspection.
that makes the market a little more open for us kit builders if we can find out beforehand if the car would require an inspection..
and yes a good idea to take pics of the donors car damage to prospective buyers which i already have lots

check out my site here www.mevrocket.talktalk.net

later
paul

i know this is an old post but i thought i would add a bit,
i have just bought a cat C mondeo 2.0 si zetec with 73000 miles on it,from the auction, got a new front bumper, mot'd and vic checked so that all i need to do is tax it and its road legal, it stood me at £251, i have then removed the bits i need and selling the rest and have already got £50 back for the stereo, clock surround, mirror and boot struts. Also swapped the original alloys for a set of 17" ford wheels.

in my opinion this is definately worth doing.