What Car? Q&A - Worried about buying a write off

Q: I am looking at a 'Category D' car. It’s very cheap, but I'm worried I might end up with a lemon. Am I right to be concerned?
Peter Piper

'Category D' means the car you are looking at has been written off at some point in its life – and you’re right to think very carefully before going ahead with the purchase.

Having said that, Category D listed vehicles can legally be repaired and returned to the road – the insurance company has just decided it wouldn't make financial sense to do so.

For example, a car worth £2000 that requires £1800 of paintwork might be written off. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the car is unfit for the road, and the work could probably be carried out more cheaply at an independent repairer.

Make sure the seller has evidence the repairs have been carried out to a high standard, and consider getting an independent inspection. You should also expect a significant discount on the book price of the car.

There are six insurance write-off categories:

Category A – Of scrap value only. The car should have been crushed and there are no salvageable spare parts.

Category B – The body should have been crushed, but the rest of the car can be dismantled for spare parts.

Category C – The car has been badly damaged, and the insurance company has decided not to repair the car. The car can be legally repaired, but must pass an inspection before it is allowed back on the road.

Category D – The car is less seriously damaged. It can be repaired and made fit for road use.

Category F – A fire damaged car. It can be repaired and put back on the road.