If you go through the many advertisements for used cars you may come across “Category S” or “Cat S’ vehicles but what are they and should you be cautious?
If a vehicle that has been damaged during an accident, flood, or fire, it is too costly to repair and is expected to be more expensive to repair than what it’s worth in the moment – it could be declared a write-off by the insurance company. There are four types of write-offs: A, B, S, and. They replaced the previous system, which included the category D.
A Cat S (or Cat S) vehicle is one that has sustained structural damage however can still be repaired. If it’s repaired the salvage category is still present on the vehicle for the rest of its life, which decreases the appeal of the car for many drivers, and reduces its value when it comes time to sell it.
A major flaw with the regulations is that there’s no legal requirement for repair salvage vehicles to be examined and deemed to be roadworthy. Because of this, it’s hard to tell whether a Category S write-off vehicle has been repaired properly as well as safe for driving with no thorough mechanical examination.
Beyond safety, handling vehicles that are classified as Category S is dangerous in a variety of ways. The label can affect your insurance costs, and will likely lower the amount you could sell your car for in the future. It could also reduce your chances of selling your car even if you want to, since many people may opt to not purchase a vehicle which they know was declared a total loss.
Find out more on what is a cat S car on this website…
Why do insurance companies erase Cat S cars?
Structural damage can be costly to fix and insurance companies have to constantly weigh the cost of repairs, and additional expenses associated with it, such as the cost of administration and hire car fees which could result from an insurance claim against what was worth of the vehicle prior to the accident.
If the expense of repairs and paying the charges exceeds what the worth of the vehicle the insurance company will pay the owner an amount to settle the claim and also write off the car.
Who is the person who repairs Cat S cars?
Independent bodyshops and garages that use special equipment to repair cars in Category S. They usually have low overheads due to the fact that they can’t be sold at the same price as cars not listed as write-offs and therefore they are able to purchase the cars at a lower cost than cars that are undamaged.
A number of garages that repair write-offs are reliable garages. However, they are not inspected. doesn’t need to be independently checked this means that consumers can’t be certain that a repair write-off in the category S writing-off can be considered safe to drive on.
Can I drive in a Cat S car knowing it is secure?
As previously mentioned that there are no rules regarding repair standards mean it is impossible to be sure repair work on a category S writing-off will be safe. It is recommended to inspect it by an independent third party and, at the very minimum run it for an MoT test in an independent garage that is not affiliated with the dealership selling it.
Most of the issues that could make the vehicle unsafe to drive will be discovered during an MoT So you’d expect that any issue could be flagged up during the course of an MoT.
Would I be able to purchase the Cat S car without realising it?
Certain information about a vehicle can’t be hidden from you by a dealer , and it’s legal. Make sure you read the documents thoroughly and if there are any doubts, look up the history of the car with a vehicle information provider like HPI. If you purchase from a seller who adheres to the manufacturer’s approved used vehicle scheme, they must have completed these checks for you.
There’s a lot less secure in buying privately. The seller has to be honest, but If they’re not and you sue them in the court, they may argue that they didn’t know that the car was a write-off and be able to walk away with no penalty. To ensure you are secure do an HPI check on the vehicle and this will identify any vehicles that are registered as write-offs.
Are Cat S car cheaper than an unwritten-off car?
It’s definitely a good idea. The stigma associated with being considered a write-off lingers over cars in the Category S category like an unpleasant smell, which makes it hard to sell. The price must be in line with that to justify buyers considering it instead of other write-off vehicles.
However, while it might be less expensive to purchase but it must be sold at a low price after you’ve finished it, which means that you’re not in any better shape. Actually, you could be worse off since you’re faced with the challenge of convincing potential buyers that the vehicle is secure.
Do I need to pay more for insurance for a Cat S car?
The simple solution is no. Insurance is about risk and Category S vehicles have a higher risk of being deemed risky than vehicles that are guaranteed to be solid and structurally solid. The condition of their past and current conditions aren’t certain and their market value will be uncertain when it’s sold in a subsequent time.
The majority of insurers will offer coverage for the Categor S vehicle, but at a higher cost than a vehicle that hasn’t been written off.
Other categories
Categor A: The car may not be repaired and it must be crushed.
Categor B: A car might have its usable components used up, but it needs to be crushed.
Category N: A written-off which has not suffered any structural damage and can be repaired and then safely returned on the roadway.
What is the car’s structure?
Car’s structural structure has been described according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) which is one of the groups that developed the code of salvage. The ABI defines “damage” as any structural component that requires realignment back to the original size or repair. The car’s structure includes:
Front bulkhead / fire wall
Front rails for the header
Side cant rail
Rear rails for the header
Rear cross member
Rear inner wings
Extension of the rear wheel housing
B-post (part of the central pillar)
A-post (part of the front pillar)
Front upper wings support
Front inner wings
Front chassis leg / welded cross member
Rear chassis leg
Sill
Not all major components, such as suspension and steering – are not considered structural.