What is a Cat D write off?
The listing for an RV8 coming up for sale at Matthewsons' auction in North Yorkshire on Saturday 17th August 2019 mentions the car is a Cat D write off and that the "light damage to the rear wing and was repaired by an MG garage". So what is a Cat D write off and what, if any, effect can it have on the market value of a repaired car?

What effect can a Cat D write off have on market value?
In this case the estimate on the auction listing is £13,000 to £14,000. Our last guide price indicated a Condition 2 RV8 in an "Other Colour" was £16,506 so the auction listing estimate is lower by £3,506 to £2,506 (21% to 15%).

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What is a Cat D Insurance Loss?
There are a number of different types of car insurance write-offs including some vehicles that can be repaired and put back on the road and some that must be destroyed and never used again. A Category D insurance write-off falls into the less serious class: it can legally return to the road, so long as it complies with specific rules governing the various stages of its return to use on the public highway.

What damage can result in a Cat D write-off?
In many cases it is nothing more than light damage but the financial cost of repairing the car can be greater than its market value. In such cases the insurer can consider it is not economical to repair taking into account the total cost of repair including hire cars and expensive-to-source parts for particular models. This does not mean the car cannot be put back on the road.

The the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will not be informed that a car has been written off as a Category D case, and the car will not be subject to a Vehicle Information Check. The damage is deemed light enough that the car can be repaired and put back on the road following the work. In many cases the car can also be sold through a licensed salvage yard as a damaged car, or broken for spare parts. If the Cat D car is repaired it is essential it is inspected by a professional mechanic or vehicle engineer to assess the quality of the work and ensure it has been carried out to a high standard.

Buying a Cat D as a repaired car
Traders have to declare if a car has been written off as part of a sale, but private individuals do not. A car data check will unearth if a car has been written off and into what category it was placed – and can be done for just a few pounds.
Car data check

Check insurance availability for a Cat D car
Some motor insurers might refuse to offer you cover on a written off vehicle no matter how light the damage was. So if you are thinking about buying a cat D vehicle, be sure to check with your car insurance company whether they cover Category D cars.
UK spec RV8 (1996) in Oxford Blue
With 75,000 miles.
Estimate: £13,000 to £14,000
Matthewsons' auction listing says "finished in Oxford Blue, this 3.9 litre V8 MG runs and drives as it should. Drove to the sale by one of our colleagues and the 30 mile drive proved no major faults. Lovely cream leather interior, soft top works as it should, tyres in good condition all round. Benefits from power assisted steering which is a desirable optional extra. Loads of history, past MOT certificates and receipts. All in all a very useable car. A UK car and one of only 36 in Oxford Blue. Matthewsons

Category D Insurance Loss. Vehicle Damaged But Repairable" The insurer decided not to repair 09/07/2008. The Cat D was light damage to the rear wing and was repaired by an MG garage."