Paul Jolly: The need to know about insurance write-offs

Insurance write offs are a fact of life in the second-hand car market and always have been. 

However, the law now protects us in that damaged and written off cars must be declared when advertised and sold. If you see an advert mentioning Cat S this does not mean the owner has a predisposition towards keeping feline friends in the car!

Category A: The most serious damage and the entire vehicle must be crushed.

Category B: Only parts may be salvaged and the body must be crushed.

Category S: Structural damage but may be repaired and reused.

Category N: Cosmetic damage and can be repaired and reused. Flood damage most likely to be included here.

Fifty years ago, cowboy repairers would ‘cut and shut’ two badly damaged cars, welding the good halves together to make one repaired car with disastrous consequences for structural integrity and safety. 

Thankfully those days are over. Only a current Mot is required and there is no requirement for a structural examination so be on your guard. The values of Cat S and N cars can be as little as half undamaged examples. 

Cat S and N cars are also more expensive to insure for the next owner for two reasons. Those buyers who will consider a written off car hold a higher risk to insurers since they cannot afford the real original article and have lower standards towards their choice of car. 

A previously damaged car is also trickier to repair second time around as there is no knowing how well the first repair was or if indeed new parts were used at all. Metal does not like being bent twice either! This blight stays with the car all its life and will surface each time you try to part exchange it.

The Land Rover photographed here hit a tree on the farm and was a Cat S as the chassis legs were bent, steering mechanism damaged and needed new radiator, wings, bonnet and bumper. However, it will return to a useful life.