Check Car Category
Check for Category A, B, S, or N classifications before buying a secondhand vehicle. After a traffic collision, the vehicle's insurance company assigns damage categories.
Each category indicates damage severity:
- Category A and B indicate significant damage, necessitating car scrapping (with Category A being the most severe and needing full destruction).
- Category S (previously Category C) refers to repairable structural damage.
- Category N (previously Category D) comprises repairable non-structural damage, such as cosmetic or electrical faults.
People can avoid buying cars that have safety or servicing problems by knowing these categories. A quick car category check can help verify this.
How To Check If A Car Has A Category Online?
Most online free car check tools do not offer insurance category information; however, there are some valid methods:
Paid Car Check Tools
Online searches reveal credible paid car check services that provide complete vehicle history data. These records usually provide past insurance category marks, letting you check whether the vehicle was Category A, B, S, or N. You can also use services that include VIN number check to confirm damage history.
Online Car Marketplaces
Most reliable car marketplace websites explicitly indicate insurance categories on vehicle listings. Users may also filter by category on various platforms. Buyers of damaged vehicles for repair or parts benefit from this feature. Some marketplaces even let you check my car details before purchase.
Asking the Seller About the Car's Category
If you do not want to pay for a full car inspection, ask the seller whether the vehicle has an insurance category history.
Though risky, buying from a private seller requires wisdom. If the seller seems trustworthy and responds honestly, it may reassure you to buy. However, wherever feasible, verify such information via official sources.
Different Car Insurance Write-Off Categories
Insurance companies determine whether a car is safe and economically feasible to repair after a major collision. For consistency, insurance assessors assign a write-off category based on damage severity and type.
The categorisation system before October 2017 was Category A, B, C, and D, with Category A reflecting the worst situations. However, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) transformed these categories to emphasise structural integrity above repair costs.
Current UK write-off categories include: Category A, Category B, Category S (Structural), and Category N (Non-structural).
What Does a Category A Write-Off Mean?
The worst category for cars with considerable and catastrophic damage is Category A. A Category A write-off car is beyond repair. The damage is so severe that the car is unroadworthy and dangerous. It is impossible to fix a Category A car.
Fire-ravaged cars are common Category A write-offs. Damage to the vehicle's structural integrity makes it unusable for repair, resale, or demolition for spare parts.
Recycling or crushing a Category A vehicle is the only way to permanently remove it from the road. Keeping irreversibly damaged cars off the road is vital to road safety.
What Does a Category B Write-Off Mean?
Category B cars have considerable damage and are permanently unroadworthy. However, Category B cars may include safe-reuseable parts, unlike Category A vehicles.
These cars are beyond financial or material repair because of significant crashes or other significant accidents, although some of their parts are still available, though. Reusable parts are pulled out, evaluated, and inspected for quality and safety prior to sale.
The non-road-going vehicle should be disposed of or destroyed in such a manner as will not permit re-registration or use. Salvageable parts recycling and removing dented cars from the road enhance car safety and environmental sustainability.
What Is a Category S Car and What Does It Involve?
Category S vehicles have considerable structural damage but are repairable. Damage may include bent chassis, crumple zones, or other structural components that compromise vehicle safety.
A typical Category S car may have been in a significant accident, causing structural damage that makes it unsafe to drive. Category S cars can be legally driven again after complete, expert repairs, unlike Category A or B write-offs.
Qualified technicians must restore all structural and safety features to fulfil UK road safety laws. Before driving again, the car must be re-registered with the DVLA after repairs. Before buying a Category S car, check the quality and evidence of repairs.
What Is a Category N Car and What Should You Know?
Category N car meaning they have safety, operating, or maintenance issues but no structural damage. The subcategory mostly has to do with cosmetic bodywork damage or problems with the electrical and mechanical systems, such as wiring, infotainment, sensors, and lighting.
Cars with broken brakes, suspension, or steering may have a chassis and frame. The vehicle may be unsafe to drive until fixed.
Category N write-offs were originally Category D in the insurance categorisation system. While these cars are simpler and cheaper to fix than Category S vehicles, all safety-related repairs must be properly done before returning to the road.
Is It Worth Buying A Car With A Category/write-off Status?
Before buying a Category S or Category N vehicle, check its history.
Consider how prior damage may have affected the vehicle's safety, condition, and resale value. Professionally repaired Category S and N cars may still work well and be cost-effective.
If a Category check shows the car is Category A or B, avoid buying it. These vehicles are unroadworthy and uninsurable, making them unlawful to drive or register. They need the vehicle's permanent scrapping or dismantling.
How Car Category Impacts Market Value?
The insurance category of your car might impact its resale value and ease of selling. Category S cars may lose 20% to 40% of their market value compared to non-category cars of the same make, model, and year. This depreciation shows degradation and structural problems even after repairs.
To better understand your car's market worth, get a thorough appraisal for £1.99 with a 5-band pricing guide. This helps buyers and sellers make sound judgments based on reliable, up-to-date price data.
How Does The Selling Process Differ For Category Cars?
Selling a Category S or Category N car requires legal disclosure of its write-off status. This protects buyers and provides transparency.
It is against the law for anybody to sell a Category A or B car privately. You have to discard both the Category A cars and their parts. Category B cars may have recoverable parts, but cannot be driven again.
Environmental and safety regulations restrict Category A and B car dismantling and disposal to Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) or licensed scrap yards.
Which Car Category Can Be Legally Sold?
You may sell a Category N or Category S car if you disclose its write-off status. Even after skilled repairs, the car may not be accident-free. Transparency ensures the customer knows the vehicle's history before buying.
Are Category Cars More Difficult to Sell?
Vehicles with Category N (Cat N) status after accidents lose market attractiveness. Resale value is usually lower than identical cars without accidents due to lesser demand.
Moreover, professional purchasers usually buy damaged Cat N vehicles at affordable rates with little fuss. Before purchasing a secondhand car, do your research. Cat N vehicles are cheaper, but a complete vehicle history check ensures safety and value.
Car details check gives you detailed car category checks, outstanding financing records and stolen vehicle information to help you purchase confidently. Don't forget to run a tax & MOT checker before finalising.
Can You Get Insurance for a Category N Car?
You can insure a Category N vehicle, but it may be harder and cost more than a car without a write-off history.
Due to their entire losses while having no structural damage, insurance companies may see Cat N cars as higher risk. Depending on the insurer's policy and the damage, this impression may raise rates or restrict coverage.
Can You Get a Warranty on a Category Vehicle?
Salvage category vehicles usually do not have warranties. Once a car is Category A, B, S, or N, the manufacturer's warranty is invalid.
Due to damage or safety issues, manufacturers will no longer guarantee the vehicle's reliability or condition. For cars with salvage titles, even if expertly restored, purchasers can not expect warranty coverage.
Key Considerations Before Buying a Categorised Used Car
Buying a used car requires careful consideration of different factors. These measures include:
- Reviewing the car's service records to guarantee sufficient maintenance.
- The number of prior owners might reflect the vehicle's use and upkeep.
- Use a free MOT check tool to assess roadworthiness and detect prior cautions or failures.
- Use a free car valuation tool to determine the market value of the vehicle by entering its registration number.
By thoroughly examining this information, you may better assess the vehicle's condition and make a confident purchase.
