Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Anyone know this one

Both are now being offered for auction on this site.

Here's a piece of useful information, for those like me that often mis-understand the different insurance write-off classifications, hope you also find it helpful:

Here’s a breakdown of the four A, B, S and N write-off categories and what they tell you about the damage a car has suffered.

Category A write-offs

Category A write-offs are vehicles that have suffered severe structural damage. They can’t be repaired. The car’s chassis and/or bodyshell (the components that give a car its strength in a crash) may have been heavily damaged in an accident, or it may have been burnt-out in a fire. Whatever’s left of the car must be scrapped and a certificate of destruction issued after the car has been destroyed. You can’t even take the gearknob off it.

Category B write-offs

Category B write-offs have suffered severe damage that can’t be repaired. The remains of the car can be stripped for parts for use on other vehicles, but the chassis and/or bodyshell must be scrapped because this may have suffered serious or irreperable damage.

Category S write-off (formerly CAT C)

Cat S write-offs have suffered damage to structural areas of the vehicle such as the chassis or crumple zones. A Category S car can be repaired and put back to a roadworthy condition and used on the road again. However, the car must pass an inspection by an accredited engineer and be re-registered with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). Depending on what parts have been used to carry out repairs, the DVLA may issue a new registration number for the car. If so, this will start with the letter ‘Q’.

Category N write-offs

Category N write-offs are vehicles that have suffered non-structural damage and can be repaired to a roadworthy condition and put back into use. The term ‘non-structural’ covers a lot of ground these days and could include the bumpers and roof panel, not to mention the electrics, the engine and the seats. A CAT N car doesn’t need to pass an inspection or be re-registered before it is returned to the road.

What about Cat C and D?

Categories S and N replaced categories C and D respectively in 2017. The precise wording of the definitions has changed slightly, but what can be done with a Cat S or N write-off hasn’t changed from the old Cat C and D rules.

The change was made to better reflect the materials and construction methods used in modern cars, as well as to put greater emphasis on the damage that could affect the safety of a car rather than the cost of repairs.

Regulations can forever alter, though as best I can remember once a vehicle is decreed as suitable to return to the road following repairs, it`s registration documents are altered to denote that it has been accident damaged and repaired, and the damage classification applicable. Perhaps importantly the registration plate on a vehicle identified as damaged/repaired can not be changed.. thus no fitting of a "private" plate.

As for the "Q" registration, it seems to be regarded as the mark of Cain in the Classic Car scene..perhaps less so in the Kit Car scene..?

In some circles a former Cat C car (edit, once repaired) was regarded as being worth circa 30% less in terms of the average market value on an interesting car.

As for buying Classic cars of monocoque construction... BEWARE... there are many old rot boxes out there whose construction is more like a patchwork quilt and having just about the same structural integrity as the aforementioned quilt in a collision..while looking as fresh as a daisy. Such vehicles can exceed any reasonable expectations of any skilled MOT tester to see through the thick underseal and paint to provide an idea of the possible bodge that lies below... Thus an MOT certificate is perhaps not the guarantee one might imagine it to be.

Badly damaged cars that have not had insurance claims made against them, can be found in the marketplace, perhaps having been repaired by many an varied means, cut an shut was the term used to describe "repair" process of joining two undamaged "halves" of accident damaged cars together to effect repairs. Former race cars or road registered cars taken on track can end up damaged and not recorded..

Thus while the regulations seem to appear all encompassing, like all regulations, it seems folk will ever find a way round them..?

Just for the avoidance of doubt, my previous post was a copy/paste from the internet and not my own thoughts, views or knowledge on this subject. Personally, for all the reasons set out in Luddite's post I've always looked for cars with a good solid history and therefore whilst not picking up any bargains, I have, in the main not bought any complete "projects" by accident!

Thanks Paul and George for your thoughts and detail, I would never take a risk on a toy car just to save a bob or two to find you have something on your hands that you can't sell, which is why these two have gone to auction I feel.

What is interesting is I believed the catergory write-off list wasn't merely guidance but had to be adhered to, as in a Cat B car has to be crushed but certain parts can be removed.

However it is not illegal to put one back on the road, and I have seen a few - no idea how, but appears there are loopholes in everything.

Not quite his original asking price auction ended at 39k.

The Aero Plus 8 starts tonight also a rebuilt one from the same vendor, so we'll see where that ends up.

The Aero is at £25k Reserve not met with 2 days to run if anyone still fancies a punt.

At least he has come clean about the Cat D insurance details this time around..

Now at 35k with one day left..

Bearing in mind this was originally advertised at 60k as a non auction advert.

Even with it's Cat D history it might be worth 40k for anyone caring to chance it. Personally I wouldn't but I'm risk averse.

I'm with you on the "Risk" stakes Richard.