You might think that cars that Cat C cars are not safe to buy. We're about to tell you more and explore whether they are safer than normal cars.

Write-off cars can still be repaired and be put back on the road. But the question is, are they safe to buy? We’ve done you’re homework for you so that you can avoid being ripped off.

What is a Cat C?

The Cat C category, formerly known as Category S, refers to those cars that can be returned to the road if they are properly repaired. This category is one that is very popular when it comes to used-car sales listings.

This category relates to cars that have suffered structural damage that is significant enough that it needs to be determined whether a repair is feasible, rather than economically viable. Although many insurers would rather payout than spend more money to repair, sometimes a repair is the best option. But just how safe would you feel buying a used car that has suffered some structural damage?

Are Cat C cars less safe than normal cars?

If you come across a used car that is a Cat C and has formerly been repaired, provided that it has been repaired properly and not a DIY job, then there is no reason that a Cat C car shouldn’t feel as safe as a normal, undamaged car.

If you think about it, if you were to have a small accident in a more luxury car that featured some of latest technology, the cost of replacing the damage along with a hire car may cost more than the price of a used car itself.

Therefore, this is why cars that become slightly damaged can be written off.

So, if you’re thinking of buying a Cat C car, it might be worth just checking the quality of the repair work first and having a reputable garage deem the car to be safe to use on the road.

Why are Cat C cars cheaper?

Generally, you will come across Cat C cars that do tend to be cheaper than normal and are on sale for less than their market value.

The reason for this is because it reflects that the car has previously suffered some damage before and has been repaired. This doesn’t mean that this is cheaper because of its category and because it is considered to be worse than a normal car.

The only thing that you do probably want to be aware of when it comes to costs, is that if you buy a Cat C car, just bear in mind that when you come to sell it, it might not be worth as much as you might think.

What the law says

Basically, you are protected by the law when it comes to purchasing Cat C cars.

Thanks to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the law favours car buyers and likes to protect them so that they know that they are completing a quality transaction…

For example, if you were sold a that the seller knew was a Cat C, then the seller would be liable. This is also the case even if the seller was unaware of this. When you are sold a car, it must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. If not, then you could take action against the seller.

Should you buy a Cat C car?

In reality, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider buying a Cat C car if that is one of your options. If you come across a car that you really like and is a Cat C, then provided that it has been repaired properly, you should be good to go.

You’ll probably find that Cat C cars are lower in price, which is what may draw you in, however, just make sure you check your insurance before going ahead with anything too. Sometimes your insurance may be higher if you have a lower resale cost.

Therefore, where possible, it’s probably best to steer clear of Cat C cars, unless you really have to.

If you fancy hanging up the keys for your car, maybe its a write-off and you just want to get rid, or maybe its just time for an upgrade, then why not let us help you to scrap your car and get some cash for it?

You never know, you could be surprised at just how much your car is actually worth. If you want to give it a go and see how quick and easy it is to get a value, then just enter your reg number and we’ll get to work. It only takes a few seconds and we’re on hand to help guide you through the car scrapping process.

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