Selling a write off.

Im just wondering if a shop were to sell someone a write off and didnt declare it weather that is lawful? Or infact a shop sold a bike that was down right dangerous!? Was sold as seen but still im sure they shouldn't be able to get away with this...


Also is there any law that allows you to take it back and get your money back if its "not fit for purpose"?

Need more info...or pic.


Write offs (cat b and c) are usually collected by an approved dismantler who then have to prove the bike is broken.
A write off bike should never get back into the sale market.
As far as I know, the only way a bike can be sold on for rebuild is as a light damage write off (cat d i think)

I know I wasnt allowed to buy the salvage of my last bike as I wasnt a breaker.

Not got any pics... (not me with the issue) but what info you want I might be able to supply that.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by speedplay

As far as I know, the only way a bike can be sold on for rebuild is as a light damage write off (cat d i think)

Cat A and B the frame must be destroyed, Cat B parts can be salvaged

Cat C and D can be put back on the road, after a Vehicle Identity Check by the DVLA

Only difference between C and D is the extent of the damage

A Cat D does not a need VIC Check

Both c & d can go back on the road.

As a Supplier they should advise that the bike was previously written off, it is miss rep if it is sold without this.

You dont have to declare if you sell privately... buyer beware.

I was under the impression that if the bike was sold as seen then its tough tittys but if it was sold as road worthy then you've got a case.

Also if they knew you were to be riding it away and knew it wasnt road legal/road worthy then I'd expect there to be a legal standpoint relating to that. ie they'd have to warn you it should be taken via trailer/van.

Why Nick whats the full story?

If you ask them if it's been crashed and they lie to you it's a different matter

I believe dealers are deemed to have a higher responsibility because they are supposed to check these things out. So if they don't declare it was a write off and sell it to you, then you have some comeback.

This doesn't work with private sellers because they are not deemed to have enough expertise, or something like that, to be reasonably expected to know/have checked. That is, unless you ask and they say no - they are supposed to say they don't know, if they don't know. Although I think that's a close one and not seen that exact situation tested.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by speedplay

Need more info...or pic.


Write offs (cat b and c) are usually collected by an approved dismantler who then have to prove the bike is broken.
A write off bike should never get back into the sale market.
As far as I know, the only way a bike can be sold on for rebuild is as a light damage write off (cat d i think)

I know I wasnt allowed to buy the salvage of my last bike as I wasnt a breaker.

Also to buy a cat B from an auction you need a waste transfer license! (bloody legally enforced extortion!)


Privately, no comeback. I have sold cat C and Ds, told the buyer this and got a reciept saying "sold as seen with no warranty given or implied"

Dealer, if they don't tell you, I think they are in the poop. I think they have a responsibility to HPI check things.

Hmmm. How could he go about getting them to sort it out? Was bought from a stealer.