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[Help] AA pre purchase check
- Thread starter LockStock
- Start date
I've used mycarcheck before.
Washboard Didgets
Graphic Designer
There is an account on Facebook called 'Dodgy Cars' which specialises in posting photos of nice, relatively new cars for sale and revealing their history (usually serious accident damage, or falsified mileage or both).
It's amazing how many cars are for sale as manufacturer 'Approved Used' or as AA checked.
It has definitely made me think, if I was buying a used car/van I'd definitely do some deeper digging and look at vcheck.uk etc.
Some examples for those not on Facebook / can't be arsed to leave the page.
It's amazing how many cars are for sale as manufacturer 'Approved Used' or as AA checked.
It has definitely made me think, if I was buying a used car/van I'd definitely do some deeper digging and look at vcheck.uk etc.
Some examples for those not on Facebook / can't be arsed to leave the page.
Superphil
Dismember
Those photos are shocking, but if the repair work is sound, can the AA not give it approval?
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 36,025
dont see why not. as long as they dont hide the insurance state (which would show up to insurers anyway), nothing wrong. if they are passing off as normal, then the AA check probably bogus too.
Coldeanseagull
Opinionated
Most of that just buffed out!
Also, that what crumple zones are for on a vehicle. As long as the work has been carried out by specialists, there's not an issue.
Also, that what crumple zones are for on a vehicle. As long as the work has been carried out by specialists, there's not an issue.
- Jul 10, 2003
- 27,779
There's two types of write off that can be put back on the road Cat S (structural) or N (non structural), although they should always be advertised and sold with this category and they have to pass an inspection before they go back on the road. If you do go for one, try and get pictures before and after (most good dealers will have these) and check the repaired areas carefully (or get them checked for you).
If you intend to buy a car and run it for years, there can be some good buys as they will generally cost considerably less (although if you sell on after a year or two, same applies) than a non write off equivalent. I have had a few great bargains over the years.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
The salvage company is the one that pays you out and they do what they want with the car normally re list it for sale, or they did in my case.
Dick Swiveller
Well-known member
- Sep 9, 2011
- 9,533
I have seen someone on Youtube advertising this lot and it seems very comprehensive. It gives a full history of services, mileages, insurance claims and whatnot. No idea if it is any good but might be worth a look.
carVertical – VIN Decoder & Car History Report
The most convenient way to spot mileage fraud and accidents
www.carvertical.com
Steve_PPP
Active member
CarVertical or vCheck are the best two to use as they search for auction records, so any damaged cars that go through places like Copart get flagged and you get to see the damage photos (as per post above).
The biggest problem we have these days is the number of crashed cars that seem to end up at auction without being correctly registered as an insurance write-off. If you look at all of those examples above, you'll notice they all show as UNRECORDED Cat S or Unrecorded damage. So technically, the car is never flagged as a write-off, even though the insurance company would have paid out as such.
Why? Call me cynical, but the insurance companies sell on the salvage to auction houses. The insurance companies know that they can sell a damaged vehicle for more £££ if it has a clean title... profit always wins. It's also good business for back street garages, who can buy it cheap, fix it up with spare parts from a breakers yard, and sell it on at full price (without it being devalued by having a Cat N/S marker on it). Bad news for the unsuspecting buyer though, who ends up with a poorly repaired write-off. They probably did their HPI check as that's what everyone's heard of - and it comes back all clear. Just because the insurance company never categorised the car correctly. Dodgy as hell...
The biggest problem we have these days is the number of crashed cars that seem to end up at auction without being correctly registered as an insurance write-off. If you look at all of those examples above, you'll notice they all show as UNRECORDED Cat S or Unrecorded damage. So technically, the car is never flagged as a write-off, even though the insurance company would have paid out as such.
Why? Call me cynical, but the insurance companies sell on the salvage to auction houses. The insurance companies know that they can sell a damaged vehicle for more £££ if it has a clean title... profit always wins. It's also good business for back street garages, who can buy it cheap, fix it up with spare parts from a breakers yard, and sell it on at full price (without it being devalued by having a Cat N/S marker on it). Bad news for the unsuspecting buyer though, who ends up with a poorly repaired write-off. They probably did their HPI check as that's what everyone's heard of - and it comes back all clear. Just because the insurance company never categorised the car correctly. Dodgy as hell...