The Copart Guide to Buying a Category S Car

Buying a Cat S car or any type of Cat S vehicle can be a little daunting, but with the right skills and some homework, you can find yourself some incredible opportunities...

What is a Category S vehicle?

Category S, or a Cat S, is a term used to describe a vehicle with "structural" damage. This means that the damage is severe enough to have affected the structural integrity of the chassis, or other structural elements of the vehicle.

Is it the same as a Cat C?

Basically, yes. The Cat S vehicle designation was known as Category C until October 2017, when the definition of the salvage categories changed to better encompass materials and construction methods used in modern cars. The ‘S’ stands for structural.

What are some examples of Cat S damage?

If the chassis or the wing supports are compromised, this is considered as Category S damage. Keep an eye out for any of these areas:

What's the difference between a Cat S and a Cat N?

Cat S damage is generally more severe than Category N damage. Cat S damage affects the structural integrity of the vehicle, whereas Cat N damage is considered "cosmetic damage". This doesn't necessarily mean that Cat N damage is always minor – rather the damage isn’t structural.

Is it safe to buy a Cat S vehicle?

If you decide to buy a Cat S vehicle, you may want to have it inspected by an accredited engineer to make sure that it adheres to the DVLA safety standards. They will inform you of any issues that need addressing, and its reliability in the case of an accident. They will also make you aware of any problems beneath the surface level.

Once repaired, the vehicle should only go back on the road if it’s roadworthy, insured, and has a valid MOT where required. If you’re unsure about the quality of the repair, an independent engineer inspection can help.

What are the benefits of buying a Cat S vehicle?

When buying a Cat S, you’ll find a much wider range of vehicles available for your budget. You’ll also find that higher-value vehicles such as Land Rover, Porsche or Mercedes Benz become available to you.

Of course, the more damage the vehicle has, the more expensive it will likely cost you to repair – but as we mentioned, with the right skills and time you’ll be able to budget for the repairs slowly to get it back on the road.

What are the downsides?

It’s important to do your research and thoroughly inspect the vehicle beforehand. We do our very best to accurately represent the nature of damaged vehicles on our website, but nothing beats checking out a car with your own eyes. Look into our Virtual Vehicle Viewing service which allows you to do it from the comfort of your own home!

As for repairs, the cost of new parts is rising generally, and considering how technology has revolutionised the way vehicles are being made, some parts for older models may be either extremely expensive or exceedingly rare.

You can have these parts custom made, but it’s rarely cheap to do. Our U-Pull-It service may be able to give you some options, though.

Also remember when buying a Cat S vehicle, the resale value is not fantastic. They’re not always easy to sell on, so if you’re looking for a quick turnaround you might want to look at Cat N vehicles instead.

Is it expensive to repair a Cat S?

It can be. However, the initial cost of the vehicle is much lower, and if you have the luxury of time (and the skills), the costs can be spread out.

It’s a good idea to complete any jobs you can yourself to lower costs. This allows you to use your budget on the jobs that you can’t do yourself.

How do I know if a vehicle up for auction is a Cat S?

You can use our Vehicle Finder to filter every Cat S vehicle we have up for auction (there are currently over 3,000). 

You can also click on CAT S salvage on our homepage in the ‘Browse Copart Inventory’ section. If you’re looking at one of our daily auctions, you’ll see the letter ‘S’ in the vehicle’s lane under ‘Category’.

Additionally, you can click on the vehicle image and go into the lot info page, where you’ll see the words ‘S REPAIRABLE STRUCTURAL’ just below the Lot number.

• Search for Cat S vehicles on our Vehicle Finder

What checks can I do before bidding on a Cat S?

You can book a 10-minute virtual viewing of your chosen vehicle via our Member Services Team on 01234 765 459. We also recommend our free Vehicle Report which is available on a large number of cars going through our auction.

Can I insure a Cat S vehicle?

Yes. Provided the vehicle is deemed safe, has a valid MOT and you have proof of ownership, you should be able to insure a Cat S vehicle.

Be aware, however, not every insurance provider will insure a Cat S. It’s also worth noting that premiums will be understandably higher, so shop around for a good deal.

How do I remove Cat S from a vehicle’s history?

You can’t. The Cat S marker will be a part of the vehicle’s history for the rest of its lifespan. This is a legal requirement as it alerts future buyers that the vehicle was once an insurance write-off.

If you’re a skilled mechanic, documenting the repairs thoroughly can help to encourage potential buyers, but if not, make sure the work done on the vehicle is done properly – and again, documentation is critical here.

What are the other insurance write-off categories?

There are more vehicle categories, including the Cat B vehicles in our BreakerBid4U service. You can find more information on this via our Support Centre.