Car dealer sold write-off without informing buyer

fminus

My partner bought a used corsa from a ford dealer last weekend. He knows plenty about cars so I didn't intervene and figured he'd do his homework.

Fast forward to today and after ringing one insurance company after the other, we are informed that the car was a Cat D write-off in the UK and nobody he has rang so far will insure him.

I know it's easy to say he should have known better, but considering this is a well established dealer, would there be any legal recourse available in this situation? There isn't even a reference to any incident in the service book. He's going to be considerably out of pocket if we can't find a solution.

Edit: If anybody happens to know insurers that DO insure cat d write-offs in ireland, please let me know.

Walter2016

Cat D write off are just uneconomical for insurers to repair, but they are fully repairable and in most cases sold by insurance company to motor trade for them to repair and sell on.

Remember the insurance company adds the full cost of repair including the hire car while the car is off the road.

In many cases the damage is quite minor, but the figures just don't add up for insurers.

Here's info from rac

http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/what-is-a-category-d-car-insurance-write-off/

As for insurance - try a broker.

colm_mcm

If they're a main dealer then they'll have a reputation to uphold. It's quite likely they didn't know the cars past when they sold it.
I would pay for a history check, print it out. And also get the refusals of insurance printed if possible.
Ask to speak to the dealer principal of the garage and the salesman and state your case.
Cat D is a less serious category of write off, but if it's affecting insurance and the resale value then it's a big deal to your partner.

That's what would be termed a "trade car" - one you sell off to the trade/auctions for the less established dealers to sell.

Has she collected the car yet? I'd imagine she hasn't if she hasn't done insurance?

fminus

I mean it seems perfect. He has no issues about driving it after finding out. But if nobody will insure it that's no good. Will take your advice and make a case to the dealer and see what they say. Expect to be shown the door, but you never know.

colm_mcm

Has he collected it, is there finance or a trade in involved?

fminus

Collected. No finance or trade.

colm_mcm

Should be much less complicated in that case.

soc

If no resolution with the dealer, then assuming Dealer is a SIMI member, contact SIMI. See here for SIMI details and protocol for complaint