If you’re looking to save money on your next car, you might be tempted by a Cat N or Cat S insurance write-off. These cars have been damaged in the past and declared uneconomical to repair by insurers – but that doesn’t always mean they’re unsafe or unreliable. In fact, with the right checks, buying a repaired write-off could be a smart way to get a good car for less.
However, buying a written-off car isn’t something to rush into. Repair quality can vary massively, and what looks like a minor dent outside could hide bigger problems underneath. You’ll also need to think about future insurance, resale value, and the potential difficulty of selling the car later on.
This guide will explain everything you need to know before buying a Cat N or Cat S car. We’ll cover what to look for, how to spot the best buys, and how much risk you’re really taking when you buy a previously written-off vehicle. We’ll also help you decide if it’s better to repair a damaged car yourself – or leave the bargains to someone else.
If you’re serious about getting a great deal without getting caught out, read on before you buy.
Can buying a write-off save you money?
Buying an unrepaired Cat S or Cat N write-off and repairing it yourself can save you a lot of money – especially if you’re planning to keep the car long-term. Many cars are written off simply because new parts and labour rates through an insurance company would cost more than the car’s value. In reality, some damaged cars only need new bolt-on parts like headlights, bumpers or bonnets.
If you have the skills to fit used parts from a salvage yard, or can work with an affordable local garage, you could repair a car for much less than an insurance company would have spent. However, it’s vital to pick the right project. Cars with heavy structural damage can end up costing far more than you expect. Even light-looking damage can hide costly repairs, like broken glass, damaged seals, misaligned body panels, or suspension problems.
If you’re thinking about repairing a write-off yourself, it’s essential to know exactly what an undamaged version of that car should look like. Being familiar with how panels line up, how the car should drive, and what warning signs to look for will help you avoid nasty surprises later on. And don’t forget – a professional body and suspension alignment check can be expensive, and never underestimate the cost of a full repaint!
Should you buy an accident-repaired car?
Category S and N write-offs shouldn’t be completely ignored when you’re looking for a used car. There are actually quite a lot of them out there and, as the cost of repairs goes up, there’s likely to be an ever-increasing number.
Indeed, according to the AA, many cars that were written off shouldn’t have been. An AA spokesperson told Parkers: ‘Category S and N may be uneconomical for an insurer, but this may be because a part has the same value as the car. The only reason the insurer may not have stumped up the cash is because they would buy a new part and that, plus labour, may cost more than the value of your car. This is why they would write it off as a Category S or Category N.’
Some car sales websites are plugged into the insurance marker database and written off cars are automatically flagged as such in the listing. Other platforms rely on the seller being honest about the car’s history – most are but some unscrupulous ones are out there. Some even sell on repaired cars that should have been scrapped. And there are plenty of people who repair a damaged car without declaring it to their insurance company.
We always recommend getting a car history check when buying a used car, especially if its been written off. A repaired car can be good value, but it’s only worth buying if you know the history. CAP HPi reveals if a car has an insurance marker against it; other car history check services such as Car Vertical also search salvage auction catalogues to find pictures of the car in its damaged state, sometimes revealing cars that shouldn’t have been put back on the road.
If the car is structurally sound and the repairs have been carried out to a high standard, a Cat S or Cat N car could be just as good as an undamaged one – and it’ll cost you less. Ask the seller to provide as much information about the damage and repairs as possible; you can also have an inspection carried out by the AA or the RAC. If in doubt, walk away.
Can you make money on written off cars?
It’s possible to make a profit repairing and selling written-off cars – but it’s definitely not easy. Even after a perfect repair, a written-off car will always be worth less than an undamaged equivalent. Some buyers will be put off entirely once they hear the car was previously written off, even if it drives perfectly.
Vehicle valuers like CAP don’t provide guide prices for Cat S or Cat N cars, because their market value is so variable. One person might see a bargain, while another sees only risk. Selling a repaired Cat S or Cat N car successfully often depends on providing full documentation – before-and-after photos, repair invoices, detailed service history – to reassure buyers. Without that, you could struggle to sell the car or have to accept a much lower price.
If your goal is purely to make a profit, buying and repairing a non-damaged used car is usually easier and safer.
Cat S or Cat C write-Offs – are they worth it?
Repaired Cat S (or older Cat C) cars can look like tempting bargains. However, you need to be absolutely sure about the extent of the damage and the quality of the repair work before committing. Structural repairs are much more serious than cosmetic ones. If done poorly, they can compromise the car’s strength in an accident.
Even things like misaligned airbags, worn wiring, or rattling interiors could cause problems down the line if the repair wasn’t done properly. If you’re considering a Cat S or Cat C car, always get as much information from the seller as possible, and arrange a professional inspection if you can. And we recommend paying cash rather than taking out finance – because finance companies are often unwilling to back written-off cars, and resale values are unpredictable.
Things to remember when buying a write-off
If you still want to go ahead with buying a repaired Cat N or Cat S car, keep these points in mind: You must tell your insurance company that the car was previously written-off. If you don’t, they might refuse any future claims.
A full professional inspection is strongly advised – an MoT test pass alone doesn’t reveal hidden structural or repair issues. Written-off cars always have a reduced market value compared to undamaged ones, no matter how well repaired.
Replacement panels might not have proper factory rust-proofing, meaning corrosion can appear sooner. Selling the car later could be harder. Dealers often won’t take repaired write-offs in part-exchange, and private buyers may hesitate too.
Conclusion
Buying a Cat N or Cat S write-off can be a smart way to get a great car for far less than the usual market price. If you choose carefully, understand the car’s history, and make sure repairs have been carried out to a high standard, you could end up with a genuine bargain – and save yourself thousands of pounds in the process.
However, the risks are very real. Poor repairs, hidden damage, and future insurance or resale issues can quickly turn a tempting deal into an expensive mistake. If you underestimate the cost or complexity of putting things right, you could easily spend more than you would have on an undamaged car – and still end up with something that’s hard to sell later on.
That’s why it’s vital to be cautious, to check everything thoroughly, and to walk away if anything doesn’t feel right. Buying a written-off car can reward you handsomely – but only if you go into it with your eyes wide open, not blinded by a bargain.
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