Buy on Copart keep the savings for any work needed

Buy on Copart keep the savings for any work needed

Author
Discussion

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

I was going to buy a Range Rover Sport from a dealer for around 28k. As I like my money I think I might spend 10-12k on disco 4 on copart with 3 or 4k in reserve if it needs a little tidying up. Is this insane?

CoolHands

16,721 posts

182 months

Erm, do you have access to a body shop? Can you straighten frame rails or other parts of the chassis? I think you will find there is a reason they are half price, like the back end of the vehicle is still wrapped around a tree or similar.

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

Well technically they are different models and the only damage is vin and minor dents. I'm not a complete idiot I'm booking a video call to assess

CoolHands

16,721 posts

182 months

Ah sorry missed that I assumed you meant same model. Point stands though they will be damaged and may be more than visible.

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

That was the reason for keeping some of the savings for fixing it up

SteBrown91

1,955 posts

116 months

I would be very careful about buying anything from copart.

There are some gems to be had that means you end up with a fundamentally good car cheap and is an easy fix, but there is also a lot of very iffy cars put through. If it is a private entry (rather than an insurance entry) unless you know what you are looking for avoid like the plague.
These can often be cars heavily damaged, dressed up with parts and sort of fudged together to make them look like they have only had a light tap but behind it all is a bent chassis.

Birr97

79 posts

91 months

Why not just buy a tidy, uncrashed Disco 4?

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

I can't resist a bargain

KTMsm

25,006 posts

250 months

Teaspoonasaurous said:
the only damage is vin and minor dents. I'm not a complete idiot
I wrote a long reply but I deleted it as you say, you're not an idiot, go for it what could possibly go wrong

DickyC

46,076 posts

185 months

Not all Copart vehicles are damaged. I sold my truck through them, just used them as an auction. It was undamaged and had an MoT. It was just a bit tired and I didn't want the agro of selling it privately.

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
This is the vehicle I am looking at: https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/38260823/clean-title-...

DickyC

46,076 posts

185 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
The replaced VIN might be a problem.

Auto810graphy

1,051 posts

79 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Whilst salvage cars are something I avoid I hear horror stories of what people have purchased. All moved by forklift, unwarranted miles, no documents, in this case no VIN so maybe a Q plate. As a one off purchase you had best leave CoPart alone.

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
What is a q plate?

DickyC

46,076 posts

185 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Teaspoonasaurous said:
What is a q plate?
It's a registration number commencing with the letter Q to signify the DVLA aren't satisfied with the vehicle's history. Kit cars often have them. A replaced VIN may be the original VIN to replace a damaged or missing VIN - which can happen with stolen vehicles - but it would probably be a stick-on plate which may look dubious to a buyer.

Ask Copart for the details. They're answering questions like this all day long. No one wants to buy a dodgy car, they know this. They will answer your questions.

Edited by DickyC on Tuesday 21st March 09:01

Collectingbrass

1,886 posts

182 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Teaspoonasaurous said:
What is a q plate?
If you don't know that you probably shouldn't be shopping at Co-part...

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/q-registra...

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
It's a learning experience

DickyC

46,076 posts

185 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Teaspoonasaurous said:
It's a learning experience
Sure is. But it doesn't have to be painful.

Look at Category U cars.

Joey Deacon

6,819 posts

163 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Teaspoonasaurous said:
It's a learning experience
And unfortunately education doesn't come for free. As others have said, if you don't know what you are buying I personally would not get involved.

Could be a very expensive mistake.

Teaspoonasaurous

Original Poster:

60 posts

9 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I'll ring copart get an update and a video tour, I appreciate all the concern and advice much appreciated. 👍