Bit more to add to that infamous CAT C Leon Cupra..

[LiCkWiD]

I posted the other day about the cheap LC on Pistonheads and eBay. Plenty of people had seen it already and it'd been mentioned on SCN before then.

Anyway, before getting advice from the guys here, I emailed the bloke to ask a few basic questions about the car:

Good evening,

I've found your Leon on Pistonheads and eBay. I was just wondering why
it was so cheap? I notice you'd written a little about a front-end
collision it'd been involved in. Is the car legit as a result of this?
From the pictures I can't make out any obvious bumper alignment issues
so it doesn't look too badly damaged.

The car looks superb aside from what you've mentioned and I'd
definitely be interested in viewing the car.

... etc. etc.

Anyway, following day: This reply

Hi Kai,

The only reason for it being so cheap is becasue on DVLA it is written as
cat.c which means its been in a previous accident hence the front end, which
has all been sorted out and the car haas nothing at all wrong with it
regarding the front end (except for bumper scraps in car parks). Also i was
albe to buy it cheap so im able to sell it cheap as it was not me but the
previous owner who had the collision. The car is def legit as the owner
before had to take it to DVLA to get it checked ( if you car is a cat d
writeoff then you do not have to but this is a cat c which means DVLA have
to check it before its allowed on the road).

The worked carried out has been top you cant notice any type of damage that
might have happpened. The car has not had any problems always let it warm
up or if late drive it under 2,500rpm then normally after warmed up plus it
idles dead on 0.9rpm just under 1,000rpm.

Honestly only bad point(not to expensive):

-Speakers might need changing as they crackle (like this when i bought the
car i just listen to it on low volume then its does not crackle, and some
reason FM does not work i think it the ariel might be able to sort that out
before your arrival)

- Petrol tank flap has to opened manually (my nephew pulled it while it was
closed motor still work just need new arm inside to connect the flap to the
motor)

-1 key (i was only given one key but this key needs re-programming as the
alarm does not wrk from the button i changed the battery, works when you put
it in the door lock,it locks and alarm turns on)

- little dents one on the back boot lid and one on the left back door(
little scratches paintchips too from day to day driving)

- Crack in the passenger sunvisor mirror

thats all i havent hid anything like i tell all the interested buyers i
rather tell you before than waisting both of our time and stand around
haggling about bit and bobs


If you came down and viewed it,then if you like it and all seems good then i
can hold the car with a deposit.

I have some one that i am seeing today but he wants to straight swap a Audi
A6 for my Cupra but i'm after money not a straight or any swap without money
ontop as thats the only reason i'm selling for cash or i would no doubt keep
this car.

...etc.

Shifty eh? :S

 

[lc_allan]

I wouldn't go near it with your cash

 

[willbatch]

There is nothing at all wrong with damaged repaired cars as long as they are done well and are cheap, it pays to take someone to look at it sho knows what they are looking at, other than that you can have some cheap motoring.

 

[Nathanio]

Possibly make a good track day slag I suppose but wouldn't as an every day driver. The whole warming engine thing doesn't right either!

 

[LiCkWiD]

Well this car has been the topic of scrutiny in the past. According to other SCN members, his story doesn't or hasn't tied up.

It's been questioned before and the general feeling is that he's lieing through his teeth to shift what is basically an unsafe or illegal car.

 

[jamie paton]

only one key and a petrol flap that his "nephew" broke, yeah right ! " i myself can be somewhat of a bulls****er, however sometimes even i like to sit and listen to a real proffessional at work" ha ha, lucky your built in lie detector is working kai, stay well clear of this motor, leons aint that thin on the ground and if your patient you'll get a decent one, good luck mate.

 

[Brummy]

one truth he HAS told is that for a Cat 'C' you DO have to take it to a VOSA (dvla) test centre for appraisal..I had to do this recently with my Mk2 Cupra.. it too was Cat 'C'... TBH think the biggest thing they check for is the fact that it isnt an obvious ringer /cut-shut.. they look closely at VIN tags etc...... but its normally 'done' within ten - fifteen minutes..

 

[Foxy]

I was thinking about buying it and HPI'd it, came back clear apart from the cat c.

 

[tris]

Best to give it a miss i think

 

[LiCkWiD]

What a shame though.. for the price.. the red paint and black leather work so well.

For the price, it's lovely. But it's what lies under the paint that worries me. Meh. NEXT.