Would you buy an insurance claim Category D bike?

Alfredo · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Karma :

Hello all. Continuing my hunt for a ZX6R, I've just seen another in the local paper. All seems in order prior to me going to see the bike; I'm told it's in good nick, has been serviced but not a FSH, and has all other paperwork. The owner does tell me however that when he bought the bike second-hand from a dealer, the bike had previously been an insurance claim Category D. He said this just meant that the bike had taken cosmetic damage that had since been repaired. I asked him if it had been involved in any crashes. He didn't give me a direct no but repeated that it had taken cosmetic damage and had been an insurance category D, but that personally he'd never crashed it.

So what does an insurance claim Category D involve exactly? Would an insurance claim Category D make this an unwise buy? He's not asking for a budget price, but around £2,500 which seems the norm.

Alfredo

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Should be a discount involved over book price. Id look very carefully and ask exactly what damage was sustained and if he has receits for the work.
My current rvf400 is a cat-d write off but is in perfect condition as all i lost was the fairings in a bike-truck altercation early this year Rolling Eyes

Matty
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Rvf400, 955i daytona, 954 fireblade, cbr1000rr fireblade 06 Hm plant

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

It would depend on what was damaged to cause the insurance to "write it off"
A Kawasaki fairing panel for my bike (2003) is £350 odd plus stickers, so even a minor fall over would cost nearly £1000 to put right. So for an older bike you can see why it would easily be written off.
Try and find out what was replaced, if it was only plastics etc it should be fine.
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syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Search is a great thing. Laughing

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=74108

Same ?

Category A - Must be crushed. All of it.
Category B - Vehicle may not be returned to road. Parts may be sold.
Category C - Repairable. Possibly structural damage. Cost of damage (at dealer prices and labour rates) is more than book value of vehicle.
Category D - Repairable. Probably non-structural damage. May have been economic to repair, but insurer doesn't want to.

Category A - May not be resold. Must be crushed. Total burnout or flood damage (salt or foul water). Severely damaged with no serviceable parts, or already stripped out shell. DVLA require "Notification of Destruction".

Category B - May not be resold. Damaged beyond economical repair, usually with severe structural damage. DVLA require "Notification of Destruction". Parts can be removed and sold.

Category C - Repairable salvage. Usually applies to vehicles with significant (structural) damage, where cost of repairs exceeds book value. Can be sold for repair but must now have VIC inspection before returning to the road. Recorded as "Category C" at DVLA. Category C vehicles' V5 documents are returned to DVLA. You re-apply for registration on the original identity once the VIC inspection has been done. VIC inspection and re-registration removes the Category C classification, but evidence it was at one time Category C remains on the vehicle's record at DVLA (and HPI and AA and the others).

VIC inspection - Straight from VOSA's web site "[The VIC] will involve comparing the vehicle presented against information held by DVLA, such as the vehicle identification number, make, model, colour and engine number. The VIC will also compare the record of previous accident damage with evidence of damage repair as well as checking other components to confirm the age and identity of the vehicle."

Officially, the VIC does not check roadworthiness. If any significant defects are present, they can prevent it being used, but it is not a check of vehicle condition or roadworthiness. VIC tets centres in major towns, list on VOSA's site. It costs £35 (early 2005).

Category D - Repairable salvage. Minimal damage, probably not structural, but insurer does not want to repair, even though it might be economic to do so. Often stolen and recovered after claim has been paid. Or for unusual models or grey imports where the difficulty of obtaining new parts hinders a quick repair. Does not need VIC inspection to return to road. Recorded with HPI, AA, and the like.
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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

extreme3d · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

I used to ride an RG250WD with 3 Police V23 notices against it and your worried about a cat D!

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I bought a category D. This turned out to be a good decision as I have damaged it a bit myself since which hasnt dropped the value as much as if I had done the same to a mint bike.

Only thing to watch is how much less a category D is worth. This can be hard to tell if they dont come up often.

Recently I have noticed a few almost brand new sports 600s with very slight damage go for several thousands less than a mint one.

As Im not good at keeping things mint, I think id always prefer to get something with cosmetic damage if it gives me a saving.
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