Considering buying car salvage, or motorcycle salvage, that has been written-off by the insurers? Tempting if you're handy with the spanners, and a great way to save money on a vehicle, and even make money if that’s what you’d like to do. If you're a seasoned mechanic chances are you already know, but if you're not sure I suggest you read on. So what do the different categories mean?

 

Category A - This type of car salvage, or motorcycle salvage, must be totally crushed including all of its spare parts. Typically these are burnt out vehicles.

 

Category B - These vehicles may not be returned to road but their spare parts may be salvaged and sold for spares. However the body shell must be crushed.

 

Category C - Cat C salvage is repairable, but possibly has some sort of structural damage. The cost of damage (at main dealer prices and labour rates) is more than the book value of the vehicle and as a result the insurers have decided to write it off. To read more about Cat C auto salvage click here or click Cat C car salvage to see what's advertised for sale.

 

Category D - Cat D salvage is repairable but probably doesn't have any structural damage, normally just panel damage. These vehicles may have been economic to repair, but the insurer doesn't want to. A lot of stolen and recovered car salvage and motorcycle salvage is categorized as D. To read more about Cat D auto salvage click here or click Cat D car salvage to see what's advertised for sale.

 

Category F - These vehicles have been damaged by fire and the insurers have decided not to repair them.

 

Category X - These vehicles are repairable and have minor damage.

 

Unrecorded - This is not an official category, but you'll see it in private adverts. It usually means that owner only had third party insurance and they damaged the vehicle themselves, so can’t make a claim, and can’t afford to carry out the repairs to put it back on the road. Naturally, they aren't telling their insurers and they haven’t informed DVLA, so it is not recorded with them, or HPI, AA and the like. It might be a total wreck or it might be repairable and worth taking a look at. Click unrecorded car salvage to see what's advertised for sale.