Cat D – Cat D Car Meaning
by Will Marsh on Jun 20, 2025 2:40:24 PM
👉 How Does Cat D Impact Car Insurance?
👉 Cat D Vs Other Write-Off Categories
👉 Is It Worth Buying A Cat D Car?
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What Is Cat D?
Cat D is an insurance write-off category for a car where the cost of repairing the damage is higher than the car's worth. At this point, an insurer declares the car a write-off.
Cat D and Cat N are fairly similar in that both focus on limited damage, but in the case of a Cat D, the cost to repair is usually higher than a Cat N.

How Does Cat D Impact Car Insurance?
If a car is previously Cat D, it will face higher insurance rates and may even get rejected. A car that has previously been written off is seen as a risk to car insurers, and to guard against this risk, they tend to either increase premiums or deny insurance.
Yes, a Cat D will be cheap, but this saving covers the much higher insurance premiums than you’d pay on a car with a clean history. If you are considering insuring a Cat D car, you should get in touch with your current insurance provider to see what the insurance might look like.

Is A Cat D Car Cheap To Buy?
Yes, a Cat D car is cheap. This is because the car is seen as less desirable due to its past issues.
With a lower demand, the Cat D cars tend to be priced cheaper than their clean, healthy alternatives. While a Cat D car appeals on sale price, its inflated car insurance premiums mean you probably won’t be saving much money in the long run.

Cat D Vs Other Write-Off Categories
Cat D is just one of six insurance write-off categories, all with varying severities. Let’s take a look at the different car insurance write-offs:
- Cat A – The car has suffered damage that is beyond repair.
- Cat B – The car can’t be driven again, but some parts can be redeemed.
- Cat C – The car can be repaired, but it will likely cost more than the car is worth to do so.
- Cat N – A car that has suffered non-structural damage but still must be repaired before being ready for roads.
- Cat S – The car has suffered structural damage that needs to be repaired. If repairs are made though, the car can return to roads.
Compared to some of the options in the list, like Cat A and B, there is hope for a Cat D car. Yes, repairs are expensive, but your car can return to the roads.
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Is It Worth Buying A Cat D Car?
If you are looking for a good deal, a Cat D car can be a decent choice. They tend to be cheaper than alternatives due to past issues. If these problems have been solved, though, the car should be good to go.
Make sure any write-off cars you are interested in have been given a clean bill of health and consider getting a second opinion from a qualified mechanic. On top of this, consider the higher insurance premiums you will likely pay for a Cat D car.
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Cat D FAQs
What Is A Cat D Car?
A Cat D car is one that has suffered non-structural damage but repairing it might cost more than the car is worth.
Does Cat D Affect Insurance?
Cat D cars will cost more to insure, as providers offset the risk of taking on a previously damaged car by increasing their premiums. Sometimes, an insurer might refuse to insure a Cat D car.
What Is Cat D Damage?
Cat D damage is non-structural, so it doesn’t damage the foundations of a car. It is, however, too expensive to repair compared to the value of the car.
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