buying an accident / repaired car

[muddyjames]

My Mates are talking me into buying a new car and I am kind of seeing where they are coming from and looking around at my options. £600 a year on an mot for a £200 car is daft!!!!

Anyway. I am thinking about a Ford Ranger Thunder. It has to be the facelift type so from 07 onwards. My absolute max budget is 8k, even then I would use all my savings and then some so might need to up the mortgage.  :doh: I would save £500 a year (thats on cost of Tax, insurance and mot fee only) on having 1 car not 2 and if I keep it 10 years like I have my Rover, then in theory the money I save actualy makes the car cost £500 to buy, if you get my drift.  :-k

anyway. I have seen a couple of rangers around and 2 are cat D accident damaged but repaired (AR). One was repaired in Dec 07 so been a long time. what are the disadvantages of buying an AR car for when I come to sell in 10 years time!? Will it always have a lower retail value? I am guessing a CAT D repair has had to be inspected by VOSA on a SVA before it is allowed on the road again?

Your expert thoughts please.

[Landyman]

Cat D and Cat C are inspected by VOSA but they are not really inspected for quality of repair. They just make sure it is road worthy ie not a death trap but they are more interested in making sure it is the same vehicle as on the log book and not a ringer.
If your in any doubt have it inspected by a professional I think the AA charge about £100 but it is a very detailed report, they even told my mate the thickness of the paint on the various panels so that you could work out if any had been repainted anywhere. :-k

[TDi90]

just rmember, sometimes a CAT C or CAT D car can be rapaired to a better standard then it left the factory too.
most people are put off by CATAGORY c/d cars, when actually they can be mint!

[muddyjames]

if they have been done properly and not some chap in his garden trying to make a quick buck then I cant see why they would be too bad. Many cars have repairs and drive like new, some just dont feel right ever again!

[hairyasswelder]

if they have been done properly and not some chap in his garden trying to make a quick buck then I cant see why they would be too bad. Many cars have repairs and drive like new, some just dont feel right ever again!

Cat D is usually cosmetic/panel damage, non structural

All vosa do is check the chassis numbers match up and have not been messed about so it can keep its original no. plate.

The only checks for quality of repairs is the person/company that has repaired the car, and the MOT station (who dont care much)

If you can find out who carried out the repairs ...... all the better if reputable company ;)

[Manicminer]

Slightly off topic - they are heavy on juice.

[muddyjames]

my mate has one and he drives his like it is stolen and he reckons he gets 36mpg. I m happy with that as that is what my rover does at the moment all be it slightly cheaper as petrol is cheaper than diesel. If I drive one like it isnt stolen it mightget a bit better mpg! I hope!!

[carracarra13]

does better than us on the farm 26 if yoou are lucky pulling a disel bowser

[discowoman]

speaking to someone in the trade - CAT D's are usually newish vehicles where they have the choice of repair/replace - so most people opt for the replace (as I would).. cat D dont need a VIC check, and are usually panel damage, so shouldnt be any worries..
easy guide to accident damage
CAT  D - No VIC needed usually very minor damage
CAT C - Vic needed - moderate to major damage
CAT B - PARTS ONLY - vehicle CANNOT be put back on the road
CAT A _ CRUSHED

[Disco Matt]

Does the Ranger have a proper chassis or is it monocoque? It seems that the latter is more prone to weird handling and alignment problems after rebuilding while the separate chassis seems to survive impacts better.

Definitely get it checked out, but providing the alignment is ok (so the chassis isn't bent or twisted) then it shouldn't be a problem.

[muddyjames]

does better than us on the farm 26 if yoou are lucky pulling a disel bowser

Is that the old shape or a 07 plate and newer? My mate has said DO NOT get older than an 07 model (before facelift) as they do drink fuel.

So it seems like a cat D is fine then but it would be sensible to get an rac / aa car check done first?

Here is the link to one I have seen.  http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/FORD+RANGER/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-23-85-240-4294963945-4294967050/advert.action?R=200914331961231&distance=67&postcode=nn11+3ny&channel=CARS&make=FORD&model=RANGER&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2007&vehicleRegLetter=07