Should I buy a category N write-off?
Check Recorded Accident Damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Buy a Car With Minor Damage After Proper Repairs?
As a car buyer, be aware of four main factors in a car history check that impact vehicle safety, finances, and legality.
The first factor is salvage vehicles.
The remaining three include theft status, outstanding finance and mileage fraud.
If your CarVeto vehicle check highlights even one of these factors, get more information before committing to buy.
If you are uncertain, Contact Our Team and ask questions.
What is a Salvaged Vehicle?
Write-off categories are determined by the type of damage sustained and the cost of potential repair.
Vehicle assessors determine the cost of getting the car back on the road. If repairs exceed the car’s value, it is a written-off (salvage).
What are the Latest Categorisations?
- Category A write-off
- Category B write-off
- Category S write-off
- Cat N car meaning is described below…
What is Cat N?
In this guide, you will learn about the category N write-off. It is the lowest grade insurance write-off category, meaning no structural components were impacted, such as chassis damage or crumple zones.
That generally means repair costs are less than other insurance categories, namely, Cat S.
Are Most Cat N Damaged Vehicles Older?
Yes, most Cat N write-offs are older because they are not worth as much as newer ones.
It doesn’t take much damage for repairs to exceed the value of an older car. In these cases, Cat N is applied.
Accident damage can be as minor as a broken mirror or electrical issues.
Safety and value come first. You must know what you are buying, its repair quality, reliability and how easy it might be to resell.
Are Car Write-Offs Worth Less?
84% Of our customers reject a Cat N damaged vehicle
If you buy a write-off, even with all essential repairs taken care of, expect to pay less than normal market value.
However, as the new owner, the rule applies when selling the car in the future. The car is worth a lot less.
Also, most private car buyers will not consider a car with previous accident damage repairs.
It is a personal preference. You may not mind owning a car damaged in a previous accident, and you’ll sometimes get a newer, lower-mileage vehicle for your money.
Overall, an insurance-category damaged vehicle is not suited for private motorists. We suggest looking again for a genuine, good value for money, and easy resale vehicle.
What are Withdrawn Salvage Categories?
UK insurance company classification of damaged vehicles:
Cat A, B, C and D, pre-2017
Category A
Extreme and irreparable damage with little to no salvageable parts.
- Cat A is currently in use.
Category B
Significant irreparable damage but some salvageable parts.
- Cat B is currently in use.
Category C
Repairable, but the costs involved in repair exceed the vehicle's value. The insurance company did not repair the car to a roadworthy condition.
- Cat C is now reclassified to Cat S damage
Category D
It is repairable, but the costs involved in repair exceed the vehicle's value. The insurer stated that repair costs exceeded the car's value.
- Cat D is now reclassified as Cat N damage.
Motorists can buy a car written off Category C or D deemed repairable despite the insurance company's failure to make repairs.
The insurance company found replacement cheaper than repairing the vehicle to a roadworthy condition.
The insurance company traditionally uses the ‘cost-of-repair' ratio to determine whether a car is economical to fix.
Categories S and N are examined beyond potential restoration costs. Mileage, service records, and general conditions are factored into all assessments.
Can S and N Cars Be Put Back on the Road?
Yes, Cat S and N have the potential to be roadworthy after proper repairs despite being deemed uneconomical to repair.
The distinction between these categories relates to structural and non-structural damage.
Cat S may have suffered structural damage to the frame and/or chassis, while Cat N was free from such damage.
At some point, a Category S vehicle suffered structural damage and was written off by the insurer due to uneconomic repair.
The damage could be to any part of the vehicle’s structural frame, including the chassis.
Do I Need a Salvage Car Check?
Both Write-Off Categories are put to salvage, where a third party may buy and repair the car.
Then, the car may be put up for sale.
Buying this type of vehicle is legal, provided it has undergone all the correct repair procedures and has Autoalign certification.
As mentioned, such vehicles are not worth as much as comparative, undamaged models.
It is challenging to offer an exact valuation on a write-off repair car. Ultimately, it depends on what a buyer is prepared to pay.
Our broad barometer is how easy or difficult it will be to resell the vehicle in the future.
Cars with a category S or N classification are historically challenging to sell as the pool of potential buyers is smaller.
The insurance marker is a permanent feature of the vehicle.
How to Buy a Cat S or N Car?
Get a fresh, Free Car History Check.
CarVeto will highlight all recorded issues, including "Was My Car Stolen?" Plus, write-off status, mileage issues, Outstanding Finance Check, VIC inspections, colour changes, and Car Plate Check.
How Can You Compare the Car With its Documentation?
With your CarVeto report, compare the VIN and engine numbers found on the DVLA V5C log book (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).
We also suggest a third-party inspection with a company like ClickMechanic, which investigates all aspects of car roadworthiness.
Finally, look into the cost of an insurance policy.
Some companies will charge more to underwrite a Cat S or N car.
Others will refuse insurance coverage.
If you uncover a car with Cat S or Cat N write-off status but want to buy it, we recommend a professional car inspection. A fully vetted mechanic will check for professional repairs, potential mechanic issues, and market car value.