Selling a car can be a stressful process, particularly when it has been involved in an accident and given ‘Category N’ status. (This information will show up in a car category check.)
As the UK’s leading car buying service, we will buy any car, but first let’s examine what 'Cat N' means - and how this impacts the value and appeal of your car.
Get a free valuation
What is a 'Category N' car?
‘Category N’, often abbreviated to ‘Cat N’, is used by insurance companies to describe the amount of damage to a car which has been written off.
A 'Cat N' car will have been involved in an accident where it suffered damage to the bodywork without any structural damage. Prior to 1st October 2017, the same car could’ve been given 'Cat C' or 'Cat D' status, but the new system aims to make it easier for buyers to understand the level of damage a car has endured.
Whilst the insurance company has decided that the cost of repairing a vehicle would be greater than replacing it, the owner may still wish to fix the car, thus branding it ‘Category N’.
Due to the car being involved in an accident, the desirability of the vehicle will be negatively impacted. Buyers are often reluctant to purchase a ‘Cat N’ car. As such, this is usually reflected in the resale value, which is typically lower than an identical vehicle that hasn’t been involved in an accident.
Selling a 'Category N' car?
It is a legal obligation to disclose that your car has previously been written off when selling. You will have probably seen this on car selling websites, where there are labels alongside the listing.
A ‘Category N’ car will be worth notably less than an undamaged car of an identical age, model, and mileage with the same documentation. The car with a category will be less appealing, as even if it has been repaired, there's a risk that the work wasn't carried out to a high standard.
Even if a car has been categorised as 'Cat N' and only suffered cosmetic damage, it has still been involved in an accident.
Will webuyanycar buy my 'Cat N' car?
Whilst you may struggle to sell a ‘Category N’ car privately, webuyanycar can buy your damaged motor.
The process takes less than an hour from quote to sale. All you need to do is enter your registration plate into the tool on this page and we will give you a free car valuation in under 30 seconds.
If you are happy with your valuation, you can book an appointment at one of our 500+ UK branches. We offer a hassle-free option for selling your car.
With over 4 million customers served and an 'Excellent' Trustpilot rating, you can sell to us with confidence.