If you browse through a lot of ads for used cars there are a few “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, 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 had the category D.
A Cat S (or Cat S) car is one that’s sustained structural damage however can still be repaired. Even if the damage is fixed the salvage category is still present on the vehicle for the duration of its ownership, which diminishes its appeal to many drivers, and lowers its value when it comes time to selling it.
One of the biggest flaws in the regulations is that there’s no legal requirement that repairs for salvage vehicles to be examined and deemed to be roadworthy. This is why it’s hard to tell whether a Category S write-off vehicle has been repaired properly in a safe manner without a thorough mechanical examination.
Beyond safety, handling vehicles that are classified as Category S is dangerous in many ways. The designation could impact your insurance costs, and will likely limit the amount you are able to sell your car for in the future. This could even decrease your chance of selling the vehicle in the first place, since many people may opt to not purchase a vehicle which they know was declared a total loss.
Why do insurance companies erase Cat S cars?
The structural damage can be very costly to fix and insurance companies have to constantly weigh the cost of repairs, as well as other expenses related to it like hiring and administration costs due to an insurance claim against how much value was placed on the vehicle prior to the collision.
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?
Bodyshops and independent garages that have specific equipment for repair of cars in Category S. They typically have low costs because the vehicles are not sold at the same price as cars that are not written off and therefore they are able to purchase the cars at a lower cost than unaffected cars.
A lot of garages which repair write-offs are trustworthy garages, but they are not inspected. doesn’t legally require them to be independently examined which means that customers cannot be sure that a repaired write-off in the category S writing-off can be considered safe for use on the road.
Can I drive in a Cat S car knowing it is secure?
In the above paragraph the lack of control on repair standards means that you cannot be certain repair work on a category S writing-off will be safe. The best option is to have it inspected by an independent party and, at a minimum go to an MoT test in an independent garage that is not affiliated with the dealer who sells it.
Most of the issues that could make the vehicle unsafe to drive could be discovered during an MoT So you’d expect that any issue will be flagged during the course of an MoT.
Can I purchase an Cat S car without realising it?
Certain information about a vehicle can’t be hidden from you by a dealer , and it’s legal. Therefore, make sure to thoroughly review the paperwork and, if you have doubts, look up its background with a car information firm like HPI. If you purchase from a dealer who follows the manufacturer’s approved used vehicle scheme, they must have conducted these checks for you.
There’s a lot less secure in buying privately. The seller should be honest, however If they’re not and you sue them in court, they can say they didn’t realize that the car was a write off and be able to walk away with no penalty. To ensure that you’re sure make sure you run an HPI check on the vehicle and this will be able to identify any cars that are registered as write-offs.
For more information on what is a cat S car click here.
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 an automobile that is classified as stink, making it hard to sell. Its value must be in line with that to justify the buyer’s decision to buy one instead of other write-off vehicles.
While it could be more affordable to purchase but it must be sold at a low price when you’re done with it, which means that you’re not better off. Actually, you could be worse off since you’re faced with the challenge of convincing prospective buyers that the vehicle is secure.
Do I need to pay more in order to insure the Cat S car?
The simple response is “yes”. Insurance is about risk and Category S vehicles are more risky than vehicles that are guaranteed to be solid and structurally solid. The condition of their past and current circumstances are not certain and their market value will be uncertain when it’s sold again.
Many insurance companies will take into consideration covering the category 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 reused, but it has to be crushed.
Category N: A written-off which does not have any structural damage that could be fixed and then safely returned on the roadway.
What is the car’s structure?
Structure of the car is described according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) one of the organizations responsible for the code of salvage. The ABI defines “damage” as any structural component that requires realignment in its initial dimensions, or replacement. The structure of a car is:
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 support for the wing
Front inner wings
Front chassis leg / welded cross member
Rear chassis leg
Sill
Not all major components – like suspension and steering aren’t classified as structural.