What is a Cat S car?

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 car 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 the value it was at the time , it can be declared uninsurable 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) car is one that’s been damaged structurally however, it can still be repaired. If it’s repaired the salvage category remains on the car for the duration of its ownership, which diminishes the appeal of the car for many drivers, and reduces its value when it comes time to selling it.

One of the biggest flaws in the regulations is that there’s no legal requirement for repair salvage cars to be checked and deemed safe for use. Because of this, it is difficult to determine whether a Category S written-off car has been properly maintained as well as safe for driving without a thorough mechanical examination.

Beyond safety, handling Category S vehicles is risky in a variety of ways. The label can affect your insurance costs, and could limit the amount you are able to sell your car for in the future. It could also reduce your chances of selling your car in the first place, since some drivers might opt to not purchase a vehicle that is deleted.

What is a cat S car – why insurers write off Cat S cars?

Structural damage can be costly to fix and insurance companies have to constantly weigh the cost of repairs, and other expenses related to it like hiring and administration costs which could result from an insurance claim against how much value was placed on the vehicle prior to the collision.

If the cost of repairs and covering costs exceed what the worth of the vehicle The insurance company will offer the policyholder 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 typically have low overheads due to the fact that they can’t be sold at the same price as cars not listed as write-offs which is why they are able to buy the cars at a lower cost than unaffected cars.

A lot of garages that repair write-offs are reliable garages, but they are not inspected. doesn’t need to be independently examined this means that consumers can’t be sure that a repaired write-off in the category S writing-off can be considered safe to drive on.

Can I drive on a Cat S car knowing it is secure?

As previously mentioned the lack of rules regarding repair standards mean that you cannot be certain repair work on a category S written-off vehicle is safe for driving. 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, not connected to the dealer who sells it.

The majority of problems that make a car unsafe to drive could 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?

The most important information regarding a car is not able to be concealed 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 provider like HPI. If you purchase from a dealer who follows the approved used car scheme of a manufacturer, car scheme , they will 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 bring them to court, they can 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 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.

Are Cat S car cheaper than an unwritten-off car?

It’s definitely a good idea. The stigma associated with writing off cars in the Category S category like stink, making it hard to sell. The price must be in line with that to justify the buyer’s decision to buy one instead of other write-off vehicles.

However, while it might be less expensive to purchase however, it has to be sold at a low price after you’ve finished it, which means that you’re not in any better shape. In fact, you might be worse off since you’re facing the issue of convincing prospective buyers that the vehicle is secure.

Will I be required to pay more in order to insure for a Cat S car?

The simple solution is no. Insurance is about risk and Category S vehicles are more risky than vehicles that are guaranteed to be solid and structurally solid. Their past and present conditions aren’t certain as well as the car’s market value is uncertain in the event that it is written off in a subsequent time.

The majority of insurers will offer coverage for the cost of a Category S car, however at a cost that is higher than a vehicle that hasn’t been written off.

Other categories

Category A: Cars can not be repaired and it must be crushed.
Category B: Cars might have its usable components reused, but it needs to be crushed.
Category N: A written-off which does not have any structural damage and can be repaired and then safely returned back to its road.

What is the structure of a car?

Car’s structural structure has been described according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) which is one of the organizations that developed the code of salvage. It defines “damage” to mean 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 Wing
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 Wing
Front chassis leg/welded cross member
Rear chassis leg
Sill

Not all major components – like suspension and steering are not considered structural.