I'm looking to by a 2003 MGtf. I found one priced well below the norm, but it was advertised as accident damaged, but repaired by MG Specialists, with only frontal damage. I did an AA check who told me everything about the car, and all was fine except they are telling me at CAT B it shouldnt even be on the road? The seller seems to think that it's fine and is happy for me to get it taken to a mechanic for any inspection. This seems fair enough, but will i be able to insure it, or even drive it legally?
Any help or experience would be very welcome
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Category A
A vehicle so badly damaged, destroyed or deformed that it has no major salvageable parts.
Category B
A vehicle damaged beyond economical repair that cannot be safely repaired. An end of life type vehicle that may be used as a donor for "Ringing" should it not be broken and the shell crushed.
Category C
A vehicle where the repairs are assessed by the inspecting engineer as exceeding the pre-accident market value.
Category D
A vehicle the repairs to which are assessed by the inspecting engineer as not exceeding the pre-accident market value.
Category B cars are bought at "breaker only auctions". The place i used to visit had notices displayed warning bidders not to put category B vehicles back on the road.
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A 2003 vehicle designated Cat B would have been in a bad way. I would not buy under any circumstances.
Are you sure you want an MG - not reliable under the best of circumstances and given recent events its likely to fall in value very quickly indeed (neglecting even the Cat B issue).
Mazda MX5 is a much better option.
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I'll be leaving that one i guess. I've been offered a new one for £4000 under the norm price from a major dealer, with full warranty via the dealer. That should be alright i'm thinking?
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On the face of it I think it sounds alright, but then that's because I love these cars much more than the MX5. Just check that £4000 is an actual discount, not £4000 off a list price that is normally discounted by £3,500 anyway.
The only thing I would get checked is whether the dealer will actually be around in 6 months time, if they are not, will there still be a warranty company to honour the warranties? When MG Rover have gone under there won't be much need for their dealers to stop open...
Blue
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Even with £4000-off that is still an awful lot of money to pay for what is now an obsolete car from a defunct manufacturer. Check out the warranty situation very very carefully. These cars have a wicked reputation for cooling system problems (leading to head gasket failure) and repair is very expensive. Depreciation is likely to be a 'cliff edge'. I cannot imagine going out and buying one of these to use for daily driving - you're a braver person than I am!
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I agree with Aprilia..Your best bet is leave well alone.Dont forget all sellers want as much as they can get for a motor.In this case may be wallet drainer..You wont know untill you get it?.Which is too late.If you do go for it.Good luck.If it goes pear shaped you have been warned!
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Steve
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Hi,
Yes, avoid the cat B, there are plenty for sale both new and used. If you like these cars then go for one. The discounts you get will easily cover an independent mechanical warranty, and if you buy from a dealer they may throw one in anyway. Mine's a 98 mpi from new and is used most days and is of course 100% reliable with no head gasket problems, as are the vast majority of them. I would recommend the mpi against the VVC on grounds of cost, complexity, noise, servicing, insurance, and longevity.
If you love the looks of them the MX5 just pales into insignificance. This is just my opinion, I don't want to start a MGF/MX5 war. It's your choice.
Rgds.
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