polo - just found out my car is category b

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Sun 7 Aug 2011 10:03
polo - just found out my car is category b - jmjm1663

We bought a polo from friends for £500 who said it was an insurance write off. To get log book i had to take it for VIC. It has passed 2 MOTs in our ownership but when we came to sell it on (again to friends for teenage learn to drive) their insurance company refused to insure it saying it was category B. I have checked on idata and it is listed as cat B, but per dvla it is c. My understanding is we shouldnt drive this vehicle. It now worth scrap £150 v sale to friends of £650 ie loss £500 - do we have any redress? Appreciate sale of goods doesnt apply to private sale - but the the seller had been advised it was category B by third party insurers and sold it as road going... Would small claims work? criminal action...

thanks - ps "friend" who sold it is a grumpy lawyer....

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Sun 7 Aug 2011 12:03
polo - just found out my car is category b - ifithelps

I don't see how you've 'lost' £500, when you only paid that for the car.

Buying at £500 and selling for £150 after two years of reliable motoring is a good result.

Who do you plan to sue?

Where is the criminality?

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Sun 7 Aug 2011 14:14
polo - just found out my car is category b - SlidingPillar

DVLA can make mistakes, and I imagine, so can the database your potential buyers insurace company used.

But DVLA is the legal stater of status in the UK, not some insurance companies database (I've not heard of the one you mention).

And if DLVA are happy the car is legal, and you have insurance of your own and MOT, it must therefore be legal. True, DVLA could 'correct' their view, but they've not done so yet.

I assume your insurance company has used a database too, and I rather doubt DVLA would have issued a VIC20 and the ensuing V5c if their records showed 'this car must be scrapped'.

As 'ifithelps' says though, £350 'depreciation' in two years is a bargain.

DVLA helpline or local office, but neither will get to the bottom of this in 5 minutes.

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Sun 7 Aug 2011 17:46
polo - just found out my car is category b - Avant

Any legal fees you incur would exceed the value of the Polo - don't go there. The only possibility I can think of is for the potential buyer to try another insurance company or consult a broker.

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