Buying a used vehicle can be a bit of a minefield, especially when a lot of jargon is used. It is easy for someone to casually throw in terms such as “Cat N” in a way that makes you think it is unimportant. These categories mean that the vehicle in question has been written off at some point. However, not all write off categories are equal, so it helps to understand what each one means, and how it could affect you if you do decide to buy.
Types of write off
If an insurance company writes a vehicle off, it means that it is not possible to repair the vehicle safely, OR that the work to repair the vehicle will cost more than the value of the vehicle itself.
- Category A write off is a car which is so badly damaged that it should be scrapped in its entirety, including salvageable parts.
- A Category B write off has significant damage and should be scrapped, but salvageable parts can be used on other vehicles.
- Category S means that the car has structural damage which could be repaired by a professional, but which is deemed by the insurer as too expensive to do so.
- Category N means that there is no structural damage, but the cost of professionally repairing cosmetic or other non-structural faults matches or exceeds the value of the vehicle.
Category A and B cars are so badly damaged that it is not advisable to consider buying one, no matter how much work has been done on it. However, if a vehicle looks like a bargain and was a Cat N or S, don’t dismiss it just yet. Cat N, once repaired professionally, can be sold on and driven safely. Cat S, due to the structural issues, needs to be repaired and re-registered with the DVLA before they can be sold or driven. If in doubt, check with the seller; a Cat S or N status should result in a lower vehicle price.
Checking the vehicle
Before you buy a vehicle, you can check it via the DVLA’s website. Here, you can make sure that the registration and vehicle specifications match the DVLA’s records, and you can also see the MOT history and see if the vehicle has been recalled. If you have any concerns at all, it may pay to invest in a full vehicle check – you can get these for just under £20 and may be worth it for the peace of mind. If you are in doubt about anything, contact your local trusted garage or car dealership; the garage should be able to offer you advice on the general condition of the vehicle, while your dealership offers you secure sales with some level of warranty.
If in doubt, speak to an expert; if a deal looks too good to be true, the chances are that it is.
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