So I was looking at a car to buy online and asked the seller (private sale) about its history, amazingly he was honest and showed me photos of how it looked when it was crashed in to before repair, I will show the pics below. I couldn't see any marks on it. Oddly HPI is not showing it as damaged even though I was told it is Cat S so must have been rated by someone even if done outside of insurance. I have no idea what to do, is it too much of a risk to go for Cat S ? He didn't own it when it was hit, apparently it was the previous owner and another car went in to it when it when it was parked. 

I am still happily amazed he told me because as it doesn't show up on HPI I am not sure I would have known. I have not test driven it yet though so maybe there will be signs. It is a 2015 Zetec C-Max for sale for £3000 with 75k on the clock, nothing bad in MOT. He said everything works, inc rear sensors, apart from charger port. 

Taken after crash..........

Taken when fixed.........

This gives details, suggestions and ,especially concerning - check insurance requirements?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/what-s-a-category-c-or-category-d-car

Hi.

If you had any issues with insurance for a previously written off vehicle then please feel free to drop me a line. The majority of our insurance schemes have no issues with these.

Regards,

Dan.

I know this thread is a few weeks old now, but I am interested for future reference.

Reading the info it seems that it was probably a Cat S because the CRUMPLE ZONE has been damaged. The info in that link also states that: 

After repairs, Cat S cars need to be re-registered with the DVLA before they go back on the roads, so check for this in the paperwork before you buy.

so did you get sight of this 'paperwork'? If so, what did the paperwork actually say? e.g. did it say WHO had examined the car and certified it as roadworthy?

The wording on that site is a bit misleading.  All you have to do now is apply for a new V5 logbook with the word 'Cat S' written on it, and pay £25 for the privilege.

Don't have to have them inspected by a structural engineer any more, or even get a new MOT.  The existing MOT is still valid until it's original expiry date. 

Personally I would want to see the results of an MOT since the repairs, but I don't put much trust in MOT's either, very easy to get dodgy ones.

Another month later and I am still thinking about getting this car as it seems to still be for sale, which is a little worrying but then the price hasn't come down. I did 2 paid car checks on it, it shows the salvage auction photos. Annoyingly it is at that price point where I could get a late 2010 Titanium for £1800 (105k miles), a 2011 Titanium for £2500 (99k miles), or this Cat S for £3000 (70k miles). I checked car insurance and it seemed low at £200, no insurer seems to pick up it is Cat S, as even "we buy any car" doesn't realise unless I tell it. Odd as the insurance write off says it has been written off on the premium car check sites so the info is out there.

I have posted more info below, and about the other 2 cars on my shortlist. 

Attached is the Cat S car check PDF.

Here is a link to the 2011 Titanium info if curious : https://www.vehiclestats.co.uk/registration/FN61HDE

Same here for the 2010 Titanium : https://www.carcheck.co.uk/ford/YC60FJX

If anyone knows of a 2015 (late in year) onwards Petrol 1.6 C-Max Zetec for under £3700 in good nick, let me know, thanks (Dorset/Somerset/Salisbury area).

 

 

Full vehicle history report for SC15JWP _ Check Car Details.pdf