We don't advise buying Cat S vehicles. Category S means the car has sustained structural damage but is suitable for repair. However, this means the car could have severe structural damage — including chassis damage — that won't be picked up on an MoT. Essentially, the car may not perform the way it was intended to in the event of an accident. However, some people like to buy Cat S cars for cheap and fix them up. If all repairs have been made properly and the car is safe and roadworthy, it would need to be re-registered with the DVLA before it can go back on the road.

If you're interested in a Cat S car, there are some necessary checks you need to do. Firstly, ask the dealer/garage about the damage it sustained and how it was repaired. I would want to know exactly what was repaired and what parts were changed. Secondly, get an inspection done. This costs between £200 and £350 usually (depending on the type of vehicle), which puts people off seeing as the point in buying a Cat S is the low price. But it's vital you know what you're getting into. The RAC, Dekra and Autolign all offer inspection services that could save you from buying a potentially unsafe car. An MoT test isn't sufficient as it isn't thorough enough.

Things you should know if you do buy the car: You need to tell your insurance company about it. If you don't, they may refuse a claim. You may have difficulty selling the vehicle in the future and dealers often won't accept them in part-exchange.