Cat S cars - too dodgy? SKODA Octavia 2011 £4k

A Category S (or Cat S) car is one that has suffered structural damage, but it is still repairable. Despite it being repaired, the car’s salvage category remains with the vehicle for life, which reduces its appeal and makes it cheaper to buy.

Obviously it has been repaired - I would have it thoroughly checked by a specialist.
 
I bought a Cat S Primera a while back. It had been repaired but there was wee bits and pieces missing. I was working in a breakers yard at the time and was able to get everything for it until eventually, it was like new.
After a while, I traded it in but when I went to pick up my new car the salesman had checked out my car and discovered its history. He then tried to give me less money for it.
I politely told him that he should have checked it out before we made our agreement and the sale went through without a hitch.
 
The seller hasn’t told you it’s a cat s in the ad. Walk away.
 
ReganAndCarter said:
Seems like a lot of money for a 10 year old write off. Must be popular cars.
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I am amazed how much things have gone up in price and used cars especially seem to be like bars of gold they appear to hardly lose money these days.

Cars used to depreciation considerably when you drive them of the forecourt something around 30% straight away I think it used to be, now it's worth the same amount as you paid for it a couple of months down the line.

Saying that I remember when £50 got you a car with tax and test on it... Good old days..
 
sxturbo said:
It's clearly on the advert.

But yes I would be suspect of the quality of workmanship, and so would avoid
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Are we looking at the same advert?

I can see the text below with no mention of the cat s

Full service history.Only 47400 miles, Only 2 owners from new. Long m.o.t. Road tax is 30£ per , Year. Fantastic condition inside & out. Ultra reliable and very economical (55+mpg). Drives without fault. Any inspection welcome tel no here Grey, 2 owners, £3,995

Vehicle registered: 26/09/2011
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At the very bottom, under Description.

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Ah, i was referring to the text the the advertiser types themselves. The Basic History check is a thing that autotrader comes up with automatically if i understand correctly.

If i was advertising a cat s car, i would be open about it in the text i write and explain a little bit of its history. ie what and where the damage was.

The fact that the advertiser hasn't mentioned it rings alarm bells for me because it indicates that they either don't know or aren't being open about it.
 
I'd possible risk a cheap cat N, rear ended. The thought of a front end with potentially airbags, suspension and steering components, aircon and cooling system all being replaced with parts from a scrapyard on someone's driveway scares me. I could live with a slightly crumpled boot floor to save a pile of cash.

My young neighbour had a go at one years ago, it was a Vauxhall Calibra, and the finished article didn't look too bad from a distance but when he proudly showed me round it he explained that although the replacement bumpers, panels etc were quite cheap the bits of rubber and plastic trim that clipped into them weren't - so he had "replicated" some of them with carefully shaped body filler!
 
sxturbo said:
I am amazed how much things have gone up in price and used cars especially seem to be like bars of gold they appear to hardly lose money these days.

Cars used to depreciation considerably when you drive them of the forecourt something around 30% straight away I think it used to be, now it's worth the same amount as you paid for it a couple of months down the line.

Saying that I remember when £50 got you a car with tax and test on it... Good old days..
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Yes I'm a bit out of date with car prices. Haven't been in the used car market for donkeys. Had my van for 14 years and my car for 19 years. When I buy a car the next purchaser after me is usually the scrapper. Best value I had was a Carlton that I bought in 1992 for £325. Used it for 9 years until someone hit it in the rear. Couldn't see any damage unless you lay on your back and looked under the rear bumper, really minimal but the insurance wrote it off as uneconomical to repair and paid out £300 and let me keep the car. The VW Caddy that hit me was a right mess, bumper off, rad split, etc, etc. Tough old buses those original Carltons. I used the car for another 18 months until the rust took over and got a newer version for £175 - immaculate and low mileage, 2 previous owners with history, but no one wanted a 16 year old petrol Carlton so the bloke was virtually giving it away. Still got it, but I keep it in the garage as it's been garaged all it's life. Cheap motoring. :cool:

It's not just used cars that are expensive, but new ones are steep too. Recently borrowed a 2 year old Kia Proceed. Nice enough car, until the owner told me the list price is £25K. For a Kia!!!
 
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