How to buy a Category D bargain
If you take the necessary precautions then there’s bargains to be had with Cat N cars! But what are they exactly?
I was told that when I’m looking for a used car in the classifieds I should stay away from Cat N cars (formally known as Cat D cars). “Cat N” or “Category N” cars are the cars that tend to jump out at you when searching for cars for sale as they’re often considerably cheaper than non Cat N cars. It’s for this reason that you’re always tempted to give the seller a call but we often don’t.
So what is a Cat N car exactly? Well it’s a term basically used to describe a car that’s had moderate damage at some stage of its life. You might be asking why the insurance company doesn’t simply repair the car if the damage is only minor. Well, you have to understand that the costs to an insurance firm goes far beyond just repairing the car itself. They also have to factor in other costs such as organising a courtesy car and inspection fees which themselves can be quite expensive. Therefore, the insurance company might simply come to the conclusion that it makes better financial sense not to repair the car at all.
If the insurance company decides not to repair the car then they will most probably sell it on to the trade. They will most likely sell it on to an independent car dealer or auction house. The new owner of the car can then repair it for less than it would have cost the insurer and then sell it on to the public for a profit.
As of typing, DesperateSeller.co.uk has over 240,000 used cars for sale at any one time. Should you find a Cat D car in amongst the listings you’ll need to know whether to take a serious look at it or move on to another car – but how do you know which you should do? Well, if you’ve done your research, know the signs, know what to look out for and more importantly what to ask then there’s a good chance that you can pick up a real bargain! Here’s our top pieces of advice if you’re considering buying a Cat N car:
Ask questions
Find out as much as you can about the car by asking the seller as many questions as you can. For example, you could ask what work has been carried out on the car and what parts were used to repair it. If you’re really clever with your questioning you should be able to uncover how exactly the car became a write off in the first place.
Professional inspection
If you’re not a bonafied mechanic then get hold of someone who is. You can get a professional inspection carried out on the car for as little as £150. They’ll know exactly what to look out for and find any damage that you may miss. Head to organisations such as The AA and the RAC who offer car inspection services. Not only could they save you money in the long run but they could potentially save you from buying an unsafe vehicle.
Check its history
1 in 3 cars have a hidden history so a car being in an accident might not be the only thing you need to be aware of. A history check will tell you if the car has been stolen or still has outstanding finance on it which could be liable for.
Nearly new cars
If you’re looking for a newer car and you see that the car is substantially cheaper than similar regular models then this could be a warning sign. It could be a sign that the car has been fixed on a budget and not repaired to a high quality standard.
Chassis repair
In all honesty, if you find a car that has previously had chassis damage then our advice would be to steer well clear of it. Even if the chassis has been repaired to a good standard it’s still highly likely that it will give you problems somewhere down the line.
If you heed the advice above and you’re confident enough to take a gamble on a Cat D car then it’s vitally important that you tell your insurance company that it’s a Category D vehicle. Failing to do so may make any future claims invalid.
Happy searching!
