Should I Buy A Cat S Car?

👉 What Is Cat S?

👉 How Does Cat S Affect Insurance?

👉 How Does Cat S Affect Price?

👉 Should I Buy A Cat S Car

👉 FAQs

What Is Cat S?

Cat S is an insurance write-off category that describes a car that has suffered structural damage but is still roadworthy if the necessary repairs are made. In most cases, Cat S issues involve the chassis or suspension, but there are plenty of other potential causes of a Cat S write-off:

• Car chassis or frame damage
• Suspension damage
• Severe roof damage
• Damage to the floor pan
• Severe front or rear-end collision

If a car has suffered a Cat S level write-off, it will need to be re-registered with the DVLA once it is road ready. If you fail to do this and use public roads, you may face fines and penalties.

How Does Cat S Affect Insurance?

Cat S does affect insurance, potentially causing higher premiums or even rejections. A Cat S is seen as a risk to a car insurance company, as an already written-off car is more likely to have a recurring issue. This increased level of risk causes insurance companies to charge higher premiums or even reject applicants.

If you are looking to buy a Cat S car, insurance is one of the most important things to consider. The exact same model with a clean history will have significantly lower insurance than the Cat S version.

Cat S Vs Other Insurance Write-Off Categories

Cat S is one of the only write-offs that can be recovered financially without exceeding the value of the car itself. The other write-off like this is Cat N, which you can learn more about in a separate piece.

We’ve covered each car insurance write-off category below:

• Cat A – The worst level of write-off. The car is beyond repair.
• Cat B – The main part of the car is damaged, but other parts can be salvaged.
• Cat C – The car can be repaired, but doing so will cost more than the car is worth.
• Cat D—The car can be repaired without costing more than it is worth but transporting it for the repairs will likely cost more financially.
• Cat N – The car has suffered non-structural damage but can be repaired. It will need repairing before it is roadworthy.

Are Cat S Cars Cheaper To Buy?

A Cat S car will be cheaper to buy than a car with a clean history. This is because a previously damaged car is less desirable, and more likely to suffer damage in future. As a result, previously written-off cars can cost up to 40% less than the exact same model with a clean history. If you are looking for a car on a budget, a Cat S car could be a good option, provided any past issues have been resolved.

Should I Buy A Cat S Car?

The answer to this question depends on whether the issues are fully repaired.

If the car is in good condition, a previous write-off can actually help bring the price down, helping you save on that initial purchase fee.

Where you might fall short, though, is the insurance premiums, which will be higher for a Cat S car than a non-Cat S car. Higher premiums on a write-off are unavoidable and must be factored into the overall financial cost before purchasing a Cat S car. That being said, if the premiums are still affordable, the car has been repaired to a high standard, and the price is good, the Cat S car might be a good option.

Before taking the next step, though, consult a qualified mechanic for a second opinion to ensure the car has been repaired to a high standard. This not only safeguards your finances for the future but also ensures the car is of a high safety level to drive. If the car fails to meet the requirements of a mechanic, consider looking elsewhere; it's not worth taking the risk.

Cat S FAQs