According to Comparethemarket a whopping 126,247 road accidents happen in the UK every year, which works out at around 346 per day.
A significant proportion of these will be written off by insurers. Some of them will be so badly wrecked that they can never be safely or legally driven again, whereas other accident damaged cars may suffer relatively negligible damage – and potentially returned to the roads. You’ll find no shortage of the latter in our online car auctions here at RAW2K. And even if you’re not planning on driving them again, at the very least, they’re a great place to find cheap spare parts!
If you find yourself weighing up whether it’s worth repairing an accident-damaged car, you might find yourself in one of the following common scenarios:
- You’ve had a collision and you’re trying to figure out what to do next
- You’re looking to salvage some parts for a good price
- You’re looking to make some extra money flipping cars
Here’s how you can figure out whether it’s worth your while repairing an accident damaged car, or whether you’re better off just cutting your losses and looking elsewhere.
Here’s what you need to know about salvage car categories before we begin
Let’s start with a quick recap of the basics. Once a car has been written off, it’ll be placed into a salvage category or given a salvage title, which is designed to give a quick “at-a-glance” indication of the extent of the damage.
If you’d like to read more about this topic in-depth, you can check out our post on salvage categories. If you only need a quick refresher though, here’s a brief overview:
- A - Damaged beyond repair, with all parts completely unusable
- B - Damaged beyond repair (but some parts may be salvageable)
- S - Significant structural damage. but could be repaired and made roadworthy (often expensively)
- N - Non-structural damage, technically uneconomical to repair, but could be made roadworthy
Is it worth repairing Category A and B cars?
No. In fact, not only is it impractical; it’s actually illegal. Category A cars are strictly for scrap only. These cars are so badly damaged that every part of the car must be crushed, and it should never re-appear on the road. It’s not permitted to remove any parts either, as these are deemed equally unsafe.
If a car is assigned a Category B salvage category, the shell of the car will be crushed. The damage is extensive but some parts may be salvaged, providing they are undamaged or they are easily repairable. Category B cars are also not legally allowed on the road again, but saved parts may be used on other roadworthy vehicles.
To be honest, it’s not something you have to worry too much about anyway. It’s very difficult to accidentally stumble across Category A salvage cars – insurers will not open them up for sale to the trade or public, and you won’t find any of them amongst our own online car auctions here at RAW2K for example. The same broadly goes for Category B cars.
Only Category N or Category S cars can be repaired and made roadworthy again, so really the question is only applicable to them.
Is it worth repairing a Category S car?
Sometimes, but it will be expensive and potentially very difficult, so you’ll have to be able to justify the effort and expense.
A Category S car has sustained structural damage, hence the S in the name. That generally means it’s been involved in collisions that’s twisted its underlying frame or chassis. It can still be repaired and made roadworthy again, but they will need to pass an inspection by an accredited engineer, to certify that it’s now safe to drive. Similarly, the DVLA will also require you to re-register the vehicle to ensure that it’s still road legal. Depending on the parts used to repair the damage, the DVLA may also issue you with a new registration number.
As long as all these steps have been completed and the paperwork is in order, a Category S car can be sold again. However, it’s worth noting that due to the intensive and often expensive nature of the repairs, it’s very difficult to ‘flip’ them for a profit. For that reason alone, a significant number of repaired Category S cars tend to have specific features or characteristics that make them worth the cost – such as a specialised vehicle used for a specific purpose, or one with emotional significance to its owner.
Is it worth repairing a Category N car?
It can be, depending on how bad the damage is, and the overall condition of the car. Like all salvage cars, Category N cars have been written off because they cost more to repair than their total worth. That means all salvage cars are (by definition) uneconomical to repair, but Category N cars can be some of the easiest and cheapest to return to the road, due to the nature of the potential damage.
Category N stands for non-structural damage, which means these cars haven’t suffered any damage to the frame or chassis. Non-structural damage encompasses a wide variety of potential issues, and can be anything from cosmetic dents in the bodywork, to electrical faults, to problems with other vital car parts like the engine or steering.
Obviously, complex components like the engine or electrics can be complicated and expensive to repair. However, most non-structural damage is cosmetic, so doesn’t have any major effect on the car’s functional condition – one of the many reasons why they’re one of the easier types of car to repair. And since they’ve been written off, they’re relatively cheap to buy too, especially from online auctions like ours here at RAW2K, which makes them great candidates to ‘flip’ for a profit.
However, if you’re not planning on buying a Category N car, but instead you own one that’s just been written off by your insurer, you can challenge their judgement and pay to have the car fixed yourself. You may choose to do this if you’re particularly attached to the car, or because it’s still cheaper to repair your current car than it is to get a new car - even if it’s not technically economical. If this is the case, you do have the option to buy your car back from your insurer.
How can I challenge my insurer’s decision if my car has been written off?
It’s a fairly straightforward process. After an accident, your insurer will have one of their mechanics assess the extent of the damage. If your insurer decides that your car is going to cost too much to fix, the vehicle will be written off. In the unfortunate event that this happens, they will let you know what category the damage falls under. If your car falls under Category S or Category N, you can challenge your insurer’s decision to write it off.
In order to get it roadworthy though, you’ll need to get it re-evaluated from a professional, so you’ll need to talk to a private mechanic and pay to get a second opinion on the extent of the damage, and whether it’s worth buying your car back. However, it’s worth noting that if you want to take this avenue, you must do it quickly, otherwise you run the risk of the car either being scrapped or being put up for auction — at which point, there’s nothing that can be done to save your car.
Once you’ve got your second opinion and you decide the car is worth saving, you can buy the car back and get it fixed up. If you do, your car will need to be re-MOT’d and you will need new insurance, and your current insurer may not be willing to re-insure a car they’ve written off once already. It can be particularly expensive to insure a Category S write-off. (It’s also worth noting that any write-off status, be it Category S or Category N, will be on your vehicle’s history forever. This could make it difficult for you to sell the car at a later date.)
With all this considered, if you still want to move forward with it, you’ll need to:
- Send the complete log book to your insurance provider
- Apply for a duplicate log book with a vehicle restoration certificate (form V62) and the DVLA will record your vehicle’s category in the book
When isn’t it worth repairing an accident damaged car?
Really, that’s up to you. It depends almost entirely on how much time, effort and expense you’re prepared to spend on the car.
The answer is: there isn’t a definite answer. Confused? Don’t be. What we mean by that is that every situation is different, and it depends entirely on the extent of the damage. If the car you’re considering has a major problem with a vital part, like the engine, usually, that’s a good indicator that it probably isn’t worth it. But even this type of serious damage might not stop cars like these being great for salvaging parts, if that’s what you’re after. It all depends on what your end goal is.
If you’re already in possession of a written-off car and you’re planning on selling it, you need to weigh up the cost of the repairs (and everything else it needs) with the total value of the vehicle. If the profit margins are slim, then it’s often best to let it be.
Crucially, you’ll need to make sure you do your research (and maths, to be honest) before you embark on the journey of repairing a Category N or Category S car. Similarly, if you’re a private driver and it’s looking like you’re going to end up spending extortionate amounts of money on your old car that could give up on you at any moment, it’s often best to cut your losses.
In summary – the key points about accident damage
So, that’s a lot of information we’ve just covered in a fair amount of detail. So to recap, let’s condense everything we’ve just discussed!
- Can I repair Category A cars? No, it’s illegal.
- Can I repair Category B cars? No this is also illegal, but parts can be salvaged.
- Is it worth repairing a Category S or N car? Both can be repaired and made roadworthy again but it’s only recommended you do so after thoroughly investigating the damage and weighing up the pros and cons.
Essentially, it all comes down to personal judgement. If you think it’s going to take up too much of your time, effort or money, then ultimately it’s not worth it. Category N cars are less likely to cause headaches and could be a savvy bargain providing you do your research. Category S and N cars are the best options to salvage your parts from for mechanics, engineers or hobbyists, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get viable parts from a Category B car. It all depends on the circumstances and how much you’re willing to put into it.
Here at RAW2K, we have more than 20 years of experience in running the UK’s very best salvage car auctions and we pride ourselves on providing a truly unrivalled service for our customers. Whether you’re looking for an accident damaged car to salvage parts from, or you’re looking for a bargain on your next set of wheels, we’ve got what you’re searching for right here. Our huge range of vehicles includes leading manufacturers: Mercedes, Peugeot, Audi and more. So why not take a look around and see what you can find?
According to Comparethemarket a whopping 126,247 road accidents happen in the UK every year, which works out at around 346 per day.
A significant proportion of these will be written off by insurers. Some of them will be so badly wrecked that they can never be safely or legally driven again, whereas other accident damaged cars may suffer relatively negligible damage – and potentially returned to the roads. You’ll find no shortage of the latter in our online car auctions here at RAW2K. And even if you’re not planning on driving them again, at the very least, they’re a great place to find cheap spare parts!
If you find yourself weighing up whether it’s worth repairing an accident-damaged car, you might find yourself in one of the following common scenarios:
- You’ve had a collision and you’re trying to figure out what to do next
- You’re looking to salvage some parts for a good price
- You’re looking to make some extra money flipping cars
Here’s how you can figure out whether it’s worth your while repairing an accident damaged car, or whether you’re better off just cutting your losses and looking elsewhere.
Here’s what you need to know about salvage car categories before we begin
Let’s start with a quick recap of the basics. Once a car has been written off, it’ll be placed into a salvage category or given a salvage title, which is designed to give a quick “at-a-glance” indication of the extent of the damage.
If you’d like to read more about this topic in-depth, you can check out our post on salvage categories. If you only need a quick refresher though, here’s a brief overview:
- A - Damaged beyond repair, with all parts completely unusable
- B - Damaged beyond repair (but some parts may be salvageable)
- S - Significant structural damage. but could be repaired and made roadworthy (often expensively)
- N - Non-structural damage, technically uneconomical to repair, but could be made roadworthy
Is it worth repairing Category A and B cars?
No. In fact, not only is it impractical; it’s actually illegal. Category A cars are strictly for scrap only. These cars are so badly damaged that every part of the car must be crushed, and it should never re-appear on the road. It’s not permitted to remove any parts either, as these are deemed equally unsafe.
If a car is assigned a Category B salvage category, the shell of the car will be crushed. The damage is extensive but some parts may be salvaged, providing they are undamaged or they are easily repairable. Category B cars are also not legally allowed on the road again, but saved parts may be used on other roadworthy vehicles.
To be honest, it’s not something you have to worry too much about anyway. It’s very difficult to accidentally stumble across Category A salvage cars – insurers will not open them up for sale to the trade or public, and you won’t find any of them amongst our own online car auctions here at RAW2K for example. The same broadly goes for Category B cars.
Only Category N or Category S cars can be repaired and made roadworthy again, so really the question is only applicable to them.
Is it worth repairing a Category S car?
Sometimes, but it will be expensive and potentially very difficult, so you’ll have to be able to justify the effort and expense.
A Category S car has sustained structural damage, hence the S in the name. That generally means it’s been involved in collisions that’s twisted its underlying frame or chassis. It can still be repaired and made roadworthy again, but they will need to pass an inspection by an accredited engineer, to certify that it’s now safe to drive. Similarly, the DVLA will also require you to re-register the vehicle to ensure that it’s still road legal. Depending on the parts used to repair the damage, the DVLA may also issue you with a new registration number.
As long as all these steps have been completed and the paperwork is in order, a Category S car can be sold again. However, it’s worth noting that due to the intensive and often expensive nature of the repairs, it’s very difficult to ‘flip’ them for a profit. For that reason alone, a significant number of repaired Category S cars tend to have specific features or characteristics that make them worth the cost – such as a specialised vehicle used for a specific purpose, or one with emotional significance to its owner.
Is it worth repairing a Category N car?
It can be, depending on how bad the damage is, and the overall condition of the car. Like all salvage cars, Category N cars have been written off because they cost more to repair than their total worth. That means all salvage cars are (by definition) uneconomical to repair, but Category N cars can be some of the easiest and cheapest to return to the road, due to the nature of the potential damage.
Category N stands for non-structural damage, which means these cars haven’t suffered any damage to the frame or chassis. Non-structural damage encompasses a wide variety of potential issues, and can be anything from cosmetic dents in the bodywork, to electrical faults, to problems with other vital car parts like the engine or steering.
Obviously, complex components like the engine or electrics can be complicated and expensive to repair. However, most non-structural damage is cosmetic, so doesn’t have any major effect on the car’s functional condition – one of the many reasons why they’re one of the easier types of car to repair. And since they’ve been written off, they’re relatively cheap to buy too, especially from online auctions like ours here at RAW2K, which makes them great candidates to ‘flip’ for a profit.
However, if you’re not planning on buying a Category N car, but instead you own one that’s just been written off by your insurer, you can challenge their judgement and pay to have the car fixed yourself. You may choose to do this if you’re particularly attached to the car, or because it’s still cheaper to repair your current car than it is to get a new car - even if it’s not technically economical. If this is the case, you do have the option to buy your car back from your insurer.
How can I challenge my insurer’s decision if my car has been written off?
It’s a fairly straightforward process. After an accident, your insurer will have one of their mechanics assess the extent of the damage. If your insurer decides that your car is going to cost too much to fix, the vehicle will be written off. In the unfortunate event that this happens, they will let you know what category the damage falls under. If your car falls under Category S or Category N, you can challenge your insurer’s decision to write it off.
In order to get it roadworthy though, you’ll need to get it re-evaluated from a professional, so you’ll need to talk to a private mechanic and pay to get a second opinion on the extent of the damage, and whether it’s worth buying your car back. However, it’s worth noting that if you want to take this avenue, you must do it quickly, otherwise you run the risk of the car either being scrapped or being put up for auction — at which point, there’s nothing that can be done to save your car.
Once you’ve got your second opinion and you decide the car is worth saving, you can buy the car back and get it fixed up. If you do, your car will need to be re-MOT’d and you will need new insurance, and your current insurer may not be willing to re-insure a car they’ve written off once already. It can be particularly expensive to insure a Category S write-off. (It’s also worth noting that any write-off status, be it Category S or Category N, will be on your vehicle’s history forever. This could make it difficult for you to sell the car at a later date.)
With all this considered, if you still want to move forward with it, you’ll need to:
- Send the complete log book to your insurance provider
- Apply for a duplicate log book with a vehicle restoration certificate (form V62) and the DVLA will record your vehicle’s category in the book
When isn’t it worth repairing an accident damaged car?
Really, that’s up to you. It depends almost entirely on how much time, effort and expense you’re prepared to spend on the car.
The answer is: there isn’t a definite answer. Confused? Don’t be. What we mean by that is that every situation is different, and it depends entirely on the extent of the damage. If the car you’re considering has a major problem with a vital part, like the engine, usually, that’s a good indicator that it probably isn’t worth it. But even this type of serious damage might not stop cars like these being great for salvaging parts, if that’s what you’re after. It all depends on what your end goal is.
If you’re already in possession of a written-off car and you’re planning on selling it, you need to weigh up the cost of the repairs (and everything else it needs) with the total value of the vehicle. If the profit margins are slim, then it’s often best to let it be.
Crucially, you’ll need to make sure you do your research (and maths, to be honest) before you embark on the journey of repairing a Category N or Category S car. Similarly, if you’re a private driver and it’s looking like you’re going to end up spending extortionate amounts of money on your old car that could give up on you at any moment, it’s often best to cut your losses.
In summary – the key points about accident damage
So, that’s a lot of information we’ve just covered in a fair amount of detail. So to recap, let’s condense everything we’ve just discussed!
- Can I repair Category A cars? No, it’s illegal.
- Can I repair Category B cars? No this is also illegal, but parts can be salvaged.
- Is it worth repairing a Category S or N car? Both can be repaired and made roadworthy again but it’s only recommended you do so after thoroughly investigating the damage and weighing up the pros and cons.
Essentially, it all comes down to personal judgement. If you think it’s going to take up too much of your time, effort or money, then ultimately it’s not worth it. Category N cars are less likely to cause headaches and could be a savvy bargain providing you do your research. Category S and N cars are the best options to salvage your parts from for mechanics, engineers or hobbyists, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get viable parts from a Category B car. It all depends on the circumstances and how much you’re willing to put into it.
Here at RAW2K, we have more than 20 years of experience in running the UK’s very best salvage car auctions and we pride ourselves on providing a truly unrivalled service for our customers. Whether you’re looking for an accident damaged car to salvage parts from, or you’re looking for a bargain on your next set of wheels, we’ve got what you’re searching for right here. Our huge range of vehicles includes leading manufacturers: Mercedes, Peugeot, Audi and more. So why not take a look around and see what you can find?
