Selling A Cat N Car

Selling a Cat N Car

When your car gets written off, it can be a stressful process. There are plenty of different factors to consider, such as whether you are able to legally sell the vehicle, as well as if it is safe to drive upon repair.

In this guide we will discuss what it means when your car is given Category N status, as well as how you can go about listing it for sale.

What is a Category N Car?

If your car has been involved in an accident, your insurance company will place the vehicle in one of four categories: A, B, S, or N. Which category the car is placed in will depend on the extent of the damage suffered in the accident.

Category N cars are determined by suffering damage to the bodywork without suffering any structural damage. In the past, before the changes to the system in October 2017, this type of damage may have been given either a Cat C or Cat D rating, but the new system aims to be a lot clearer.

With Cat N cars, the insurance company have essentially decided that the monetary cost to repair the car would be more than replacing it. However, you as the owner may decide that you would prefer to fix the car.

What Effect will Cat N Status have on the Car’s Value?

After your car has been given Cat N status, it’s likely to be worth less than it would have been had it not suffered any damage in an accident. This will likely be in the region of between 20% and 40% less when compared to a similar model that has been damage free.

Many private buyers are often reluctant to purchase a car that has been written off and given Category N status, which automatically lowers the value.

Is It Legal to Sell a Category N Car?

Yes, it is legal to sell a Category N car in the UK, providing that you clearly declare its status. This is still relevant if you have had the damage to the car fixed and repaired. Read our guide to selling a damaged car if you need help.

If you don’t declare that the car had previously been given Cat N status, then any new owners of the car can sue you for damages, which is not worth the risk. You’ll also want to make sure that any fixes you have put in place have been done to a high standard.

Can I Drive a Cat N Car on UK Roads?

It is fully legal to drive a car that had previously been given Cat N status, providing that it’s been judged to be roadworthy by a qualified professional.

The good thing about Cat N cars is that they don’t have any structural damage, so although they may have a bit of bodywork damage, they will usually be fine to drive once the issue has been repaired.

Can a Category N Car Be Insured?

Yes, a Cat N car can be insured in the UK, but they may be more expensive. This will be especially true if you decide to switch insurers.

Due to the nature of the previous damage, the car will be deemed as more of a risk than any vehicle that has been accident free. Some insurers may offer a special type of cover for Cat N cars, while others may refuse to insure them at all.

Why Should You Buy a Category N Car?

If you are thinking of buying a car that has previously been given Cat N status, you’ll need to consider whether the saving in value is worth the risk, as they’ll often be a lot cheaper to buy.

You’re essentially taking a gamble that the car has been repaired to a high standard, and it’s important that you get as much information as you can from the seller. We’d also advise that you have the car examined by a professional yourself, just for peace of mind.

The main reason why you’d buy a Cat N car is simply because they’ll likely be a bargain!

Selling Your Vehicle With GoodBye Car

If your vehicle hasn’t been written off or given a Category N status, we will consider buying your car. All you need to do is use our free car valuation tool and enter your car’s reg number.

After rating the condition of your vehicle from excellent to poor, you can book an appointment at one of our 6 GoodBye Car locations around Scotland to sell your car, including Edinburgh.

Please note that all cars are subject to an inspection before a sale is confirmed.

Find out how much your car is worth today with GoodBye Car, and take all of the stress out of selling your vehicle.