How To Avoid Buying A Write Off

David Bilsborough founder and owner at Cheshire Cars based at Quick Service Station in Crewe Cheshire has been involved with vehicle retail all of his working career. Thirty one years during 2018 and likes nothing more than meeting and assisting clients to secure that vehicle of choice. David is keen on businesses that make the process clear and transparent. David along with six other motor-trade  professionals have started up the first ever association to represent the independent sector of the industry. Launched in November of 2017 the association aims to bring excellence to the consumer by engaging only the very best businesses from the independent sector. In short businesses that have and are continuing to place the consumer at the centre of their business model. Named The Independent Motor Dealers Association the consumer can expect a fantastic experience if the dealer that they are considering is a member of the association. All members will have needed to have read through then signed and returned a copy of the associations 'code of conduct' along with two references and their VAT registration plus website address. No application for membership will be fast tracked as the founder members are consistent in how the joining process needs to be. To read more about the association visit the link here http://www.theimda.co.uk

David was instrumental during 2015 working alongside the UK's largest used car classified platform 'Auto trader.' To ensure that all information relating to a vehicles past was being declared within the advert. Previously it was being left to the individual trader to do so. A marker within the advert now exists which the trader can not avoid as no vehicle can be accepted onto the platform without the inputting of the registration number. So providing the data at the DVLA is correct and up to date the vehicles past will flag up. During 2017 a change occurred to how the grading of insurance claims and classification of information would be communicated with the consumer. When a vehicle that you maybe interested in has a marker inside the advert you will need to be sure you fully understand the meaning of that marker. Below are the new classifications alongside a brief description of what each group of classifications means.

Marker with a A Refers to Scrap Only.

Marker with a B Refers to Break for parts.

Marker with a S Refers to structurally damaged but repairable.

Marker with a N Refers to not structurally damaged, repairable.

Looking at the first two classifications they should never be put back on the road as a complete vehicle. Avoid anyone trying to pass off a vehicle which have fallen into either of these two categories. The vehicles should never be put back onto the road. Marker S vehicles if  repaired by a professional to exacting standards will be able to be sold and used without doubt. The key to S classification is the type of repair and to what standard. Marker N is the least damaged and likely to be cosmetic, so a broken door lock and or ignition lock or stolen key. On an older vehicle not having a key can mean the insurer pays out and the vehicles will be classified as such. It is unlikely you will be in danger using this classification of vehicle.

Please remember that all the markers are telling you something all of which ends at this. That an insurance claim has been filed and paid out. You need to understand this point. The marker will be with the vehicle for all of its lifespan whilst registered with the DVLA. It can not be removed once the classification has been allocated. Unless and there is nearly always an 'unless' the classification was applied incorrectly. Its a long process to have the details inspected and rightly so in my opinion.

There is a requirement for traders and dealers to declare clearly the status of a vehicle and you will have a claim against the trader/dealer if they did not declare at the point of sale. However in reality you must always take all reasonable precautions such as carrying out a history check against the registration and chassis number plus the mileage of the actual vehicle. All good dealers/traders will have already completed just such a check. Ask to see the check.

The same does not apply to sales conducted by a private seller. We are seeing more vehicles being purchased by private people who then repair and put back on the road. There is currently no legal requirement for a private seller to declare the past history of the vehicle. This is catching plenty out because they do not carry out pre sale checks such as using a providence service like HPI before buying the vehicle. A costly mistake. 

Although Auto trader have included all private advertisers into the same as trade/dealer adverts. The vehicle will have a marker if required as having a past insurance claim. A positive step and one very much welcomed by all good and transparent sellers.

My next blog will cover mileage discrepancies and why it is so important to take all reasonable steps to avoid falling foul of such.