A cat B or category B car is a vehicle that has been written off by the insurance company due to severe damage. When a car is put in category B, it means that the body frame should be crushed, but some of the parts can still be saved.
Many people wonder, What is a Cat B? or, Is it safe to drive a Cat B on the road? Here you will find the Cat B car and how to spot written-off vehicles.
Cat B Car Meaning and Why it’s Not Legal
When looking for a used car, you might wonder why these cars have different categories like A, B, N, and more. Those are the categories of write-offs assigned by insurance companies depending on the kind of damage sustained by the vehicle.
A Cat B car is a vehicle that has sustained serious damage and has been written off by insurers, meaning it’s not roadworthy and cannot be legally driven again; thus, the vehicle cannot be re-registered or used on public roads, and the shells MUST be crushed, and you will need to get a certificate that states if the car’s shell has been crushed.
However, it is possible to salvage the cat B parts, and people can purchase them to repurpose them for their vehicles.
How Does a Car Get Classified as Category B?
When the car has suffered enough damage that might come from an accident or fire, it makes the car no longer safe to drive. However, there may be some hope that parts can be reused or sold
Here are some reasons why a vehicle may be classified as a Cat B write-off:
- Significant crashes that result in irreparable damage to the vehicle’s structural frame.
- Extensive fire damage that undermines the overall safety and integrity of the car.
- Serious water or flood exposure that affects key electrical and mechanical components.
- Any situation where restoring the car would be too dangerous or not financially viable.
- Parts may be recycled, but the shell must be crushed.
Can You Drive a Cat B Car on the Road?
No, you cannot legally drive a Cat B car on the road because it is too dangerous. These vehicles are classified as total write-offs because of extensive damage. While the body shell must be permanently destroyed, certain components may still be removed and reused on other roadworthy vehicles.
If your car is classified as a Category B write-off, your insurance provider typically gives you a settlement offer. To determine the payout amount, they’ll assess the vehicle’s value right before the incident, which is known as the market value.
Can You Buy a Cat B Car?
Although cat B vehicles are heavily damaged, certain components such as the engine, gearbox, seats, interior fittings, and some electrical parts can still be salvaged and reused. You cannot entirely buy the vehicle, just the parts. However, the chassis and any structural elements must be permanently scrapped.
Read also: Cat C Meaning: Everything You Need to Know About Cat C Cars
How to Check if the Car is a Cat B
If you plan to purchase a used car, make sure to check the car’s category to see if it’s been put in a different category by the insurance. You can do it at home, and there’s no need to call up insurance to check the categories.
Here are the steps to spot a Cat B car:
Find the VIN
Find the VIN of the vehicle you are about to buy. If you do not have the VIN, ask the seller or dealer for it.
Run a Reg Number Check
After you have the VIN or the registration number, go to the reg check page, and fill in the form with the VIN, your email, and your phone number.
Download the Report
After you’ve done the VIN check, you may get the vehicle history report to examine the car’s actual category.
What Does Cat B Mean for Ownership?
Category B (Cat B) cars cannot be re-registered or driven again, but no special license is required to own or buy one for parts. However, ownership only applies to salvageable components, not the whole vehicle.
Selling a Cat B car as a complete unit is illegal and unsafe. Some sellers may try to pass off rebuilt Cat B vehicles as roadworthy, so always verify the vehicle’s history. Using or selling these cars for road use can lead to serious legal and safety consequences.
Read also: Cat D Meaning: Car Insurance Category D Explained
Should You Buy a Cat B’s Car Parts?
Buying parts salvaged from Cat B mostly comes at a lower price, and it’s 100% original, but you need to consider some things.
Pros
- Cost-effective: Used parts from Cat B vehicles are usually much more affordable than brand-new ones.
- Genuine components: It’s possible to get original manufacturer parts for less.
- Eco-conscious choice: Recycling vehicle parts helps reduce environmental impact and landfill waste.
Cons
- Very Limited Items: Not all parts from Cat B cars can be reused and wearable on every car.
- Not traceable history: Before you use the parts, make sure to have a professional inspect the parts.
- No coverage: These parts typically don’t come with warranties or guarantees.
Category B vs. Other Write-Off Car Category
Category A
The car is so severely damaged (e.g., due to fire, flood, or a serious crash) that it cannot be repaired under any circumstances. The entire vehicle, including all parts, must be completely scrapped. No components can legally be reused, not even salvageable parts.
Category B
The vehicle is irreparably damaged and cannot be returned to the road. However, unlike Category A, certain parts (like the engine, gearbox, or interior components) may still be safely removed and reused. The vehicle shell must be crushed, but parts salvage is allowed under regulated conditions.
Category S (Structural)
The car has sustained structural damage, for example, to the chassis or crumple zone, but it is considered repairable. Once properly repaired by a qualified professional and reinspected, it can safely return to the road. This category used to be known as Category C.
Category N (Non-Structural)
The damage is non-structural, affecting parts such as bumpers, panels, electrics, or interior features. The vehicle is repairable and safe to drive after repairs. However, some issues like airbags or engine components might still be involved. This category replaced the former Category D.
Read Also: What are Insurance Write-Off Categories? A Detailed Guide
Is a Cat B Worth Considering?
If you are looking for originals and affordable spare parts, then it’s worth considering, since you cannot buy the car entirely. If you plan to buy the parts, make sure to have a professional mechanic inspect them first before you put them on your vehicle. In addition to that, make sure to get a number plate check before you buy any used vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car B Cars
Can Cat B cars be fixed?
Cat B cars have really bad damage and can’t be made safe to drive again, even if you try to fix them. The body is too far gone. But the parts that still work can be removed and used in other working cars.
Can you retain a Cat B vehicle?
No, you can’t keep or drive a Cat B car. It’s marked as too dangerous for the road. The law says it must be crushed. You might be able to take the good parts, but the full car has to be scrapped forever.
Can category B be removed?
Once a car is put in category B, it stays there for good. You can’t change it or take it off the record. Even if parts are reused, the original car is still marked as Cat B and must be scrapped by law.
