Buying an unrecorded  Category U or X salvage car which has been repaired can often be a very shreud buy, just make sure you go in with your eyes wide open. Here are our top tips for buying an unrecorded salvage car.

Also check out our directory of Unrecorded salvage car sales websites

1) HPI check – Be sure that the car you are buying is definitely unrecorded. Be careful, sometimes it takes days or even weeks for insurers to report or update the records to HPI / Vcar. Be careful if a seller is turning a car around quickly, as it might not yet show when checked.

2) Thoroughly inspect before you buy - Notjust an inspection of the condition of the car itself, but the history. Often you do find that unrecorded salvage cars can be missing paperwork, or keys. History can sometimes be traced via previous owners or via the main dealer network. It also goes without saying that any repairs or damage to the car should be thoroughly checked. Ideally any seller will have taken photos at the various repair stages to highlight the quality of repairs, and invoices showing the parts used in repair process.

3) Buy at the right price – The discounted value of an unrecorded salvage car is much harder to estimate than a cat C or D, it all very much depends on existing damage, history and what work, if any, needs to be done to the car. Ultimately a repaired Category U or X unrecorded car with good history should be worth the same as any other similar car.

 A selection of unrecorded salvage cars for sale on eBay.

Following my previous post on VOSA’s proposed changes, more detail included below.

These are all new confirmed VOSA stipulations which are being applied to MOT tests gradually throughout 2011/12 as a result of new EU directives.

Steering control

Change to MOT: Where a steering lock mechanism is fitted as standard, testers must now check if one is present and operational.

Steering system

Change to MOT: Before the days of MOT Computerisation, many testers incorrectly failed steering and suspension ball joints if the dust cover was split or missing.  These items will be included in the test – so if a ball joint dust cover is missing or no longer keeps the dirt out, testers will  fail the vehicle.

Power steering
Changes to MOT: Checks to power steering will now include a check of the fluid level. But because there is no need to remove the reservoir cap, the check will only apply where the fluid level is visible in the reservoir.

Any inappropriate repair or modification to a power steering component will result in a failure – so a pair of tights in place of the drive belt will not be acceptable!

The serious misalignment or fouling of power steering components is also  failure. If fluid pipes are excessively corroded, this will also be a failure.

If a power steering warning light is illuminated this is also an automatic MOT failure.

Parking brake lever mechanism and associated mountings
Change to MOT: Electronic parking brake (EPB) controls have been added, and MOT testers will make sure that all parking brake controls have not been ‘inappropriately repaired or modified’.

If the vehicle is fitted with an electronic parking break, the MOT testers will check for any warning lamps indicate a faults.  If there are, again this is a fail.

Anti-lock braking systems
Change to MOT: Where there is a warning light illuminated, this will be an automatic MOT failure.

Brake performance
Change to MOT: Another new MOT rule which will be in place before end of 2011,  if during a
decelerometer test, the vehicle deviates from a straight line whenthe parking brake is applied, guess what… it’s a fail!

Click the below images for an overview of confirmed MOT changes

Salvage repaired Porsche 911 (996) GT2 

Currently available through Quality Salvage www.qualitysalvage.net

Asking price: £45,875

Details

2002 Porsche 911 (996) GT2

Registration: 2002 (51 plate)

Milage: 22,500

Recorded (either Cat D or C)

Damage: Car has had the passenger front wing, door shell, front suspension and front bumper replaced approx. 6 months ago by Quality Salvage.

Good spec car with power upgrade, Tech Art wheels with OEM Porsche wheels available. Has recently had Porsche main agent service and has full history and both keys. Car also has Porsche Carbon Ceramic brakes (PCCB).

Currently available through Quality Salvage www.bluecycle.com

Auction ends:

Current bid: £35,600

Details

2010 Porsche 911 (997 gen 2) GT3 RS

Registration: 2010

Milage: Unknown

£35,600 (Current bid 18.11 on 10/7/11)

Category D recorded

Damage: BOTH Rear QUARTERS, O/S DOOR, O/S B POST, BOTH A POSTS, F/CHASSIS TWISTED, BOTH SILLS AND COVERS, F/PAN, O/S DOOR AND GLASS, O/S MIRROR, SCRN, BULK HEAD, BOTH WINGS AND FLITCHS, F/WHEELS, F/SUSP, F/LIGHTS, BONNET, F/X MEMBER, RADS, STEERING RACK.

2011 MOT update: http://wrecks2riches.co.uk/2010/11/update-2011-mot-changes/

2011 MOT changes: http://wrecks2riches.co.uk/2010/10/2011-changes-to-mot/

VOSA have provided a further confirmation that changes will made to the current MOT to further bring it in line with the EU.

Taken from the latest VOSA – MOT matters newsletter, which can be found via the below link.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT%20-%20Issue%2049%20-%20Jan%202011.pdf

Notices over the coming year that will explain what is happening and when. We will be launching new test items, releasing new Inspection Manual pages and helping you to familiarise yourselves with these changes ahead of time.

The year is only just getting started – if you want to know more about the forthcoming changes why not visit one of our MOT seminars that are currently taking place around the country.

Visit: www.vosa.gov.uk/events-diary to book your place on the 2011 MOT seminars. “

Details

Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide Special

Registration: 2008

Milage: 1538

£19,875

Damage: Main fairing, some rear chrome work either side of the rear mud guard and on the handles. Quality Salvage have the V5C Registration Document. Bike was prepared and specced up by Warrs and Charlie Stockwell.

Bike was previously owned by Top Gear’s Richard Hammond, who can be seen below with the bike!

Quote from the Warrs London site – Warrs Harley Davidson site

“BBC Top Gear star and TV presenter Richard Hammond commissioned Warr’s to build him a customised Bagger style tourer based on a new Street Glide. Work started at Warr’s Kings Rd workshops last December.

Highlights include a 200 section rear wheel, bespoke front and rear wings, Screamin Eagle 103 cubic inch motor, Ram charge air box, High gloss black paint, colour keyed front end, Performance Machine Chariot wheels, stealth mirrors, custom made antique leather seat, blacked key components, shark fin two into two exhausts. For further detail on Richard’s new bike view our Custom and Performance section.

Richard’s verdict after trying out his new cycle; “I absolutely love it. This is the best bike I’ve ever had.”

What the bike looks like now……

New stuff I like…

Better search functions - Much improved, really like the option to search for cars nearest me.  This was my biggest bug-bear with the old site, as it meant searching through all the cars in the North or South lists. You can now also search through listings based on closing soonest, newly listed, lowest price first, or highest price first.

Vehicle details pages - Huge improvement, pictures are much easier to navigate through, and bids on each vehicle are much easier to view.

Previous total loss – Gives details on when/if the car has previously been involved in an accident/written off.

Stuff that needs improvement

Site Map - Doesnt seem to be clickable, not a big issue, just a niggle.

Cookies cleared - Just a frustration, as I never remember passwords.

Overall, a great set of improvements. Well done BlueCycle team. Check the revised site out at www.bluecycle.com

The new site is now up and running, and is better than ever. Were still busy developing the site, so keep an eye out for new features coming soon!

Hope you like the new design, and please let us know if there is anything additional you would like to see..

Any comments much appreciated… Let us know what you think.

Firstly, apologies if this sounds like a scam, it truly inst meant to sound that way.
As winter fast approaches, I’m finding I’d like a project to work on and keep me busy over the winter months.

I’m looking for a salvage project specifically, and one which will hopefully provide some profit from selling on as soon as the weather improves.

I’m also hoping that one of the many salvage yards out there, will be kind enough to help me out in return for some promotional activity.

I’m looking for a car which I can repair, and demonstrate that buying, repairing and selling a salvage vehicle is do-able by just about anybody, not just specialists. I’m going to do all the work myself, and will be hoping to sell the car on once I’ve finished, hopefully for a profit.
Each week, I will be documenting my progress, and will posting updates here on wrecks2riches.

Its a real-life example, of how salvage could potentially take a wreck and turn it into riches…

The opportunity…
For any salvage yard willing to either donate or subsidise a salvage vehicle, I will happily commit to providing substantial marketing support, and on sale of the vehicle, a split of the profits.
(I’m not asking for anything fancy, just something which is a relatively easy repair, and has the potential to sell on for a modest profit once repaired)

Why?
Its a great opportunity for a salvage yard to get their name out there, in a very niche market. Likewise, the write-ups and guides produced off the back of the project will help spur on many other potential buyers. Potential buyers of your salvage vehicles.

If you are a salvage yard, and are interested in the above opportunity, please feel free to contact me. Just leave a comment, and I will come back to you within 24 hours.

2007 PORSCHE 997 GT3 – OAKLEY DESIGN

A very rare and sought after 911 GT3 with some amazing history is currently available for sale on e-bay. Built by Oakley Design, and upgraded in almost every area, its had an amazing £60k of upgrades!

For sale at £44,950.00

ebay auction – Porsche 911 GT3 oakley

ebay auction – Porsche 911 GT3 oakley

Damage:
LIGHT PANEL & SUSPENSION DAMAGE
RECORDED AS A CAT D
CAR STARTS & IT WILL DRIVE FOR LOADING
COMES WITH KEYS AND THE LOG BOOK.
41K MILES

This is a very special Porsche indeed.

Youtube clips detail all the additonal extra’s on the car.

Check out www.oakleydesign.co.uk for more details and specs on this car!

ebay auction – Porsche 911 GT3 oakley