Imagine you found a used car at a good price; the car looks good and fits your budget. You know, sometimes when a thing is too good to be true, it has something big underlying it. The insurer has written off the vehicle, which changes your perception of that car.
You started to worry about the damage the car suffered until the insurer wrote it off. Buying a written-off car is not always bad, but you must be careful.
Are you thinking of buying a written-off car? Let’s get into it.
What Are the Insurance Categories?
When a car suffers damage, the insurer decides if repairing it is worth the cost. If not, the insurer puts the car into a “written-off” category.
There are four different write-off categories, including:
Category A: Scrap
Cat A cars must be destroyed, and the parts cannot be salvaged. They must be crushed (scrapped) completely and cannot return on the road. If you ever find a vehicle with a Cat A write-off category, walk away immediately
Category B: Break
Cat B vehicles are too damaged to be repaired and driven againbut some parts can be removed and reused. The shell must be scrapped.
Category S (formerly Cat C)
These vehicles in the Cat S category have structural damage but can be repaired safely. Think bent chassis or crushed pillars. Once fixed, they can go back on the road.
Category N (formerly Cat D): Repairable Non-Structural
This is the mildest category. Cat N vehicles have no structural damage. Issues are often cosmetic or electrical. If repaired properly, they’re usually safe and roadworthy.
Should You Buy or Avoid Written-Off Vehicles?
There are risks. A write-off might hide poor repair, and the insurer could charge more for cover. Some lenders won’t finance them directly, and selling those cars is harder.
However, the plus point of buying a written-off car is that you can buy the vehicle at a much cheaper price. Thus, you can repair and drive the car again like a brand-new car.
Note that you should be sure of what you are buying and getting yourself into. If you need a budget-friendly vehicle, we recommend buying a car in category S, as they might work well.
Should You Buy a Repaired “Written-Off” Vehicle?
Before You Make a Purchase
Don’t buy blind. Before buying a used car, check its history using our vehicle history check tool. With Smart Car Check, you can see whether a car has been written off, repaired, scrapped, or stolen in the past.
After getting a detailed report, you should carry out an inspection. Check that a qualified body shop has done repairs. Ask for invoices or inspection reports. If in doubt, get an independent mechanic to assess the vehicle.
After Purchase
Once you have bought the car, remember to inform the DVLA about the change of ownership. Make sure the car is MOT compliant, and if it hasn’t been driven for a while, it’s advised to re-do the MOT test.
Next, you need to worry about insurance. Getting insurance might be tricky. Not all companies accept previously written-off vehicles, so shop around and be upfront about your vehicle’s status.
What happens if You Are Told that Your Car is a Total Loss?
This means the insurer believes repairs cost more than the car’s value. You can either accept a cash payout and hand over the car or buy it back and repair it yourself. In either case, it will be marked as a write-off.
The Sale of Goods Act 1979
If you bought a car from a dealer, the law is on your side if everything goes downhill after you buy the vehicle. The car must match the product description. If the car does not match the product description, you can request a refund or repair.
Conclusion
Buying a write-off car can be a good move if you know what car you are looking for and are totally aware of what you are doing. Since the car is written off, repair it to enhance its visual appeal and safety.
Run the car history check to safeguard your purchase, inspect the repair, and understand the risks of buying a written-off vehicle. When you doubt, do not buy the car even though the price is much cheaper than a “normal” used car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you insure a “write-off” car?
Yes, but unfortunately, not all insurance plans accept them. Some might charge a premium. Remember to always declare the car’s status when you are about to put it on insurance.
Do write-off cars cost more to maintain?
Not always. If the repairs were done well, taking care of a written-off car might be cheaper, and the car can function well like the other car. Make sure you find the right mechanic and body shop with a reliable reputation because poor repairs may lead to hidden issues on the road.
How can I check if a car is written off?
Use a reliable vehicle report history, just enter the reg number (or VIN), and you’ll see if it’s ever been declared an insurance write-off.
Can you resell a repaired write-off vehicle?
Of course, it will be harder to resell than a normal used car. To avoid confusion, you must tell the buyer that the car was a write-off, but it’s already fixed. Also, expect the car not to be valued at the same market price.
Are write-offs always unsafe?
No. The cars in categories S and N are safe to drive after servicing. You can’t always tell how well a car was fixed unless you inspect it closely.
Is it legal to drive a Category S or N car?
If the car has been properly repaired, registered with the DVLA, and has a valid tax and MOT, you can even check its ULEZ compliance here if you drive in low-emission zones.
