Category D & Written Off Cars - A Guide - ClickMechanic Blog (2024)

When browsing the used-car classifieds to buy a new car you will frequently come across the term ‘Cat D’ or ‘Category D’, usually accompanied by information saying the car is an ‘insurance write-off’ or ‘accident repaired’. Often, it’s difficult to get past the car sales talk and actually understand what is meant, and potential car buyers often wonder; what does Cat D actually mean? In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about Cat D and written-off cars.

What is a Cat D car?

‘Cat D’ now known as cat N is simply a term for the insurance industry for cars that have been written-off. It indicates the level of damage that made an insurance company decide it was not worth repairing the car. This can happen if the car is damaged beyond repair, stolen, or involved in an accident where the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the car or even if it’s greater than a certain percentage of the vehicle’s total value.

Cat D is actually the least severe category of damage, denoting a car that has suffered damage in the past but is repairable, only the insurance company decided it was not economically viable to repair the car. Meaning that it would have been more costly to repair the car than replace it with a new car. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) puts it as follows: “Repairable total loss vehicles where repair costs including VAT do not exceed the vehicle’s pre-accident value.”

What are the other categories of written-off cars?

Depending on how badly the vehicle has been damaged, it will be categorised in Cat A, Cat B, Cat C, Cat D, Cat N and Cat S.

Data taken from: gov.uk

What Cat D means for the car?

DVSA suggests that a Cat D car can be used again if it’s repaired to a roadworthy condition.

Often Category D cars will have been in an accident or will otherwise have suffered minor damage. As the cars will be repairable, many pop up in the classified ads and will usually seem like great deals with low prices compared to non-damaged cars. Once written-off by insurance companies these cars will have been snapped up and repaired by dealers who then often still manage to sell them on for a profit.

Can I buy back my Cat D car if the insurance company has written it off?

Yes, you can. The insurance company will pay you an insurance payout if you want to keep a vehicle in category C, D, N, or S.

To keep a category C or S car once it’s written-off, you will need to send the complete log book to your insurance company and also apply for a free duplicate log book using form V62.

How do I check if a car is Cat D?

Dealers are required to state if a car has been written-off previously. The same cannot be expected from private sellers.

The best thing to do for peace of mind is to choose to do a vehicle history check with websites such as HPI that will mention this in the report.

Should I buy a Cat D car?

Category D cars, once repaired, are normally safe and legal to drive and can offer a great opportunity to own the car of your dreams at a lower price than a non-damaged example. As with any car they can give you years of enjoyable driving. However, despite these cars having only suffered minor damage and usually being uncomplicated to repair, it is important to tread carefully nonetheless.

It is especially important to check the documentation coming with the car to know exactly what kind of damage the car has suffered. Equally, vital documentation is supplied proving and explaining the repairs that have been done to fix any issues. If a seller avoids your questions or does not give you the documentation to back up the information in the classified ad, it may be best to be very careful and only proceed if you’re sure the car is right.

Buying a used car? The ultimate guide to buying a used car.

A Cat D or written-off car doesn’t mean that the car is unsafe, but it does mean that it may not have all of the safety features of a newer car. If you’re considering buying a Cat D car, make sure to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic to make sure that it is safe to drive.

It’s also important to remember that Cat D cars may be challenging to sell on at a later stage. The fact that it was previously written off is permanent and will generally have a lower market value when compared to the same model that has no Cat D history. If you’re unsure whether you’re doing the right thing by buying a Cat D car then always have the car checked over by an expert before buying to avoid buying a pig in a poke. It is especially important to assess whether the damage repairs have actually been carried out well and safely. Many mechanics offer pre-purchase inspection services which can assist in checking the car. ClickMechanic, for example, also offers a comprehensive pre-purchase check for when you’re buying a car. Get your quote now at ClickMechanic.

How does Cat D affect insurance?

Since a Cat D car has been previously written-off by an insurance company, you will most likely be paying a higher premium to insure a Cat D vehicle. Some insurance policy companies don’t even offer insurance for Cat D cars due to the risks associated with them.