Cat B

[R360]

A friend is looking to buy a car which is a Cat B. The price the car is advertised for reflects that it is a Cat B as it’s about half the price of other cars of similar spec.
He asked me for some advice, I initially told him to walk away, but he is really keen on the car. The owner has all the details of the work that has been done, including pictures etc.
So my question is, what are the legalities behind buying a Cat b car, is it even possible to insure a cat b car?

[BPD]

Don't quote me on this but I thought that only a cat C or D were allowed back on the road and a cat A or B is scrap or break only.

[Mr2Mike]

I'd certainly check out the insurance aspect first, some insurers won't even cover Cat C or D cars. Even then it would have to be a monumental bargain to tempt me.

BPD said:

Don't quote me on this but I thought that only a cat C or D were allowed back on the road and a cat A or B is scrap or break only.

This was covered in another thread fairly recently. It's quite possible to put Cat B cars back on the road, but it's rarely worthwhile and insurance companies try to prevent it.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Monday 15th November 15:36

[BPD]

Here you go.

http://www.insurancewriteoff.co.uk/

[Mr2Mike]

BPD said:

Here you go.

http://www.insurancewriteoff.co.uk/

There are loads of other vague and incorrect definitions of insurance write-off categories on the web as well.

[R360]

I will tell him to check with his insurance co first.
Also the car was registered a Cat B about 6 years ago and the current owner bought it off the company got it repaired and insured and back on the road.

[BPD]

Mr2Mike said:

BPD said:

Here you go.

http://www.insurancewriteoff.co.uk/

There are loads of other vague and incorrect definitions of insurance write-off categories on the web as well.

That was just a quick google result, should know better. When I posted my first comment that was me going on what I was told from a salvage place when I bought a few Cat C cars. He said then that cat A or B he wasn't allowed to sell on. Maybe it was more like you say and that the insurance companies wanted them not to. Still thanks for putting me straight.

[monthefish]

Mr2Mike said:

I'd certainly check out the insurance aspect first, some insurers won't even cover Cat C or D cars. Even then it would have to be a monumental bargain to tempt me.

BPD said:

Don't quote me on this but I thought that only a cat C or D were allowed back on the road and a cat A or B is scrap or break only.

This was covered in another thread fairly recently. It's quite possible to put Cat B cars back on the road, but it's rarely worthwhile and insurance companies try to prevent it.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Monday 15th November 15:36

Link?

My understanding was that A & B weren't allowed back on the road, but please provide a reputable link that says otherwise as I'm happy to be educated.

[aka_kerrly]

So long as the car has undergone a VIC test and the existing owner has the full V5 available then in theory it should be ok.

Usually CAT B means the car is so badly damaged it is not economically viable to rebuild it but a salvage yard is able to retain the vehicle in order to break it for parts. Only CAT A need to be disposed of and are never allowed back on the road.

dave

[Dracoro]

As I understand it, from threads on here, the Cat ABCD are NOT enshrined in law. Insurers deem that a Cat A should be crushed, not put back on the road, however legally I don't think there's anything stopping it.

Please prove me wrong though.

Either way, I wouldn't touch a cat B with a bargepole.

[f1rob]

Having bought cat b cars before they arent to go back on the road,If you get one from a yard they are meant to make sure it cant be re used (we had a couple of scoobys to use the running gear in kit cars)salvage yard removed the prop an cut the car in half an let us take the 2 halfs
Dont touch it with a barge pole A-it should never be on the rd an B-you have no idea what was done to bring it back from the dead

[Mr2Mike]

f1rob said:

Having bought cat b cars before they arent to go back on the road,

There is no law that states this, just the preferences of the Association of British Insurers. As long as the car has a VIC test there is nothing to stop you putting one back on the road legally.

[Noger]

Mr2Mike said:

f1rob said:

Having bought cat b cars before they arent to go back on the road,

There is no law that states this, just the preferences of the Association of British Insurers. As long as the car has a VIC test there is nothing to stop you putting one back on the road legally.

Not just the ABI, the Code of Practice for salvage is signed up to my many others.

Whilst you or I could probably get a Cat B back on the road, it is difficult for a Salvage Company to do so "legally".

Not that many insurers would touch a B.

[saaby93]

It's not uncommon for cat B to go back on the road.
They were supposed to be so badly damaged it wouldn't be worthwhile repairing but sometimes it's due to there being a death involved - there's an unofficial agreement to let the car go to scrap.

[Noger]

Never seen that. But if there is a death it will usually go to the police storage, so it will enter the salvage chain that way. Once in, it is rare for it to come out.