What is a Cat C or Cat D?

Car write offs are usually split into four separate classes, hierarchical in increased severity from A to D. Whereas A and B are usually written off to irreparable injury to the car's body or parts, class C and D write offs are typically a result of money viability - actually because the price of repairs is on top of the worth of the used vehicle. Note:- From 1 October 2017, the categories S and N have replaced the old C and D categories It is essential to confirm the write off problems before we purchase a used car. The crucial component that we at Car Analytics offer using our full vehicle check is to indicate our customers about the condition of the car which includes "Loss Type and Category" as per our records. We provide FREE Vehicle Check Reports on a monthly basis, over 75K+ reports to the used car buying community, we take pride in providing the best-in-class services along with the most comprehensive reports in UK for an affordable price.

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Category A

            Category A is the most dangerous state wherein the car is meant for scrap and ought to never be driven again.

Category B

            A used vehicle which is in Category B that has endured broad harm should never be driven extensively, albeit a few sections can be rescued.

Category C

            If a used car has been in higher degree accident, it's going to be written off as a result of the value of repairs that will definitely exceed the worth of the automobile.

It is now a Cat S listing from October 2017 and was called a Cat C listing, if it's expensive to repair as a result of a "structural injury" to any part of the vehicle along with the chassis.

You can use the vehicle once again if it’s repaired to a road condition.

Category D

           Category D may be a write-off wherever the vehicle can be repaired however the prices are deemed too high, relative to the vehicle’s worth.

The British Insurers’ Salvage Code Association dictates that cat A and cat B cars don’t have availability of spares and therefore the body shells are crushed. Write-offs in Cat C and D are often sold on by the insurance firm.

They can then be repaired and replaced on the road, as long as they pass a Vehicle Identity grant with the DVLA wherever necessary.

Category S

Vehicles in category S are known to have "Structural damage" (wherein the vehicle's outer frame or chassis is damaged). 

Category N

Vehicles in category N have “NO structural damage”, with just the outer frame requiring attention.

Both categories S and N can be repaired, but category N will be far easier to recover than an S class vehicle.

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What do S and N categories indicate?

            A Category S vehicle is a car, motorbike or minivan possessing structural damage– items such as chassis and suspension. While category N class vehicles can safely be repaired and put back on the road, category S Class vehicles must be re-registered with DVLA before being put back on the road.

A Category N vehicle consists of all non-structural damage, such as lights, infotainment and heated seats. Unlike Cat S cars, there is no need to re-register it with the DVLA – though you will still need to inform that your car has been written-off.

How does it reflect in the V5C?

            Updating DVLA about these write-off categories means that buyers will have a better idea of the type of damage sustained in the vehicle they intend to purchase. The V5C logbook  will now be marked with an ‘S’ to indicate the car has been put to be salvaged, so that buyers will be alerted to cars with a write-off history.

Is it okay to buy a Category S or N?

            We always recommend that you approach with caution for Category C or D, the same rule goes for S and N.

Insurance is highly likely for such cars as it comes off as an expensive task to carry out, Category S and Category N cars are particularly hard to resell since it is risky to even consider buying them, then there’s the cost of remodeling the chassis and overcoming the structural damage and internal issues to correct before it can be sold off properly.

It is best to take the advice of a qualified mechanic to inspect the concerned car before investing your time and money in it.

Car reg check

People tend to change plate numbers according to their own wish and will, but this may end up in covering some major issues of the vehicle. It is always fundamental to know a number plate check, to uncover the history of plate change and cross check with the seller. If the seller states the plate change, it means that there is no issue. But if it is not informed to you, then you should start rethinking about buying that used car.

Thieves usually steal license plates from the public with similar cars to their own and there is little police can do to prevent this fraud. These are dangers when, you drive around with the tags and stickers that may be cloned.

Always know what your plate number is, avoid being caught for a crime that makes you the bait. Know more about Number plate changes and check with our detailed reports.

Some Suggestions

• A thief can use a crowbar under the plate frame and take it off without damaging the plate, so avoid using license plate frames. And if you do then, invest in unique security screws that are tough to remove with common tools. Order them online or get them from a hardware store.

• Avoid placing your new registration stickers over the old one. Criminals can easily remove the sticker and it will peel off, rather peel off the old sticker, apply mineral spirits (acetone) then stick on the new registration number. Even if someone tries to scrape it off, the sticker will come off in pieces.

On average we provide 45,000+ FREE REPORTS to the used car buyer community on a monthly basis. Sneak a peek at caranalytics.co.uk/ 

Always ensure the quality of your purchase with our DVLA Car Reg check at Car Analytics. We ensure the data provided to you is updated.

If you have bought a vehicle without proper previous plate change history, there are chances that you may end up losing the vehicle and the money; if the outstanding finance is not handled properly.

What we do

We at Car Analytics, provide you with Number Plate Check. The report provides you with the total number of plate changes in braces. If there has been no plate change as such, it will be displayed in green, which means it is highly safe to buy the vehicle. If there has been a plate change, it will be displayed in yellow colour. Buying a car with numerous plate changes should be bought with proper consideration.

Change in GDPR policy

Change in rules proposed by the DVLA to go along with GDPR policy could pertain to an increase in car fraud, motor industry insiders have envisioned. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency must comply with the recently introduced General Data Protection Regulation, and has insisted that previous keepers' details will be removed from a car's V5c log book.

Although, this change could create a difficulty for motor traders when trying to check the legitimacy of mileage displayed in a second-hand vehicle, this is where several agencies like Car Analytics step in, providing vehicle data checks at reasonable prices for the public.

General Data Protection Regulation

The DVLA defined their actions in a personal information statement, which documents will collected, held or other processed information about motorists, and how all this will comply with data protection law.

Part of these new efforts includes one significant change to the log book that's supplied to the owner of a vehicle once they've purchased it.

In the past, the paperwork included details of the previous keeper, but this will no longer be the case since the May 25 deadline for GDPR compliance. Existing V5c documents are unaffected until they are updated and re-issued by DVLA, at which point the previous owner's details will be removed from the papers. This has caused concern within the industry, as it will block dealers from being able to check the history of a vehicle for free.

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Car Analytics offers FREE VEHICLE REPORTS that includes all the necessary factors required for valuating a used vehicle before purchase and leaves the public rather satisfied, whether they are a dealer or an individual buyer. Motor dealers follow a diligent process before purchases, which includes a mileage anomaly check to ensure they aren't buying vehicles with a clocked odometer. The Mileage anomaly check we provide; highlights the actual mileage versus the mileage that has been clocked.

Mileage clocking

Recent surveys brought about a revelation in December last year that car clocking as an illegal practice had jumped up to 25 per cent since 2014. 

Mileage Clocking

One in 16 vehicles have a mileage discrepancy, one in three have a hidden problem and one in five has had a plate change, based on its own data.

With so many clocked cars on the road in the second-hand market, it’s important to undergo an investigation before purchasing. 

This burst of events is believed to have been caused by private car owners who would rather pay clocking firms to correct their mileage instead of monthly remits to car finance, it is illegal and can cause more harm than good.

The collective mistakes of not maintaining a car and avoiding car checks will result to a hazardous event. A car which hasn’t been maintained properly, can lead to several problems on the road, for the vehicle owner as well as the pedestrians nearby

It is best to undergo a full vehicle history check via Car Analytics to get an idea about the car’s history and whether it has been inspected by an associate degree insurance examiner.

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Vehicle check

Why vehicle history check is essential before buying a used car

Purchasing a used vehicle can be exhausting as there are so many things to consider and check. You don’t want to be fooled by a nicely polished car that is filled to the brim with defects. Having a particular direction makes it easier to walk, same goes for a used car, if we know what to look for then we can make our purchase that much smooth.

          Fortunately, several resources and tools can help you make an informed purchase; we at Car Analytics know how frustrating it can be to find out every detail about a used car and then organizing that data.

 We provide full vehicle data checks that gives you all the information you must have before buying any used vehicle.

Car Analytics provides 70k+ FREE vehicle check reports to the used car community on a monthly basis, we generate all these vehicle history checks to show that we provide a comprehensive and detailed report for a very reasonable cost and don’t rely on our brand name and rip off your wallet unlike some agencies who claim to have been in this industry for a long time.

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Guidelines to buying a used vehicle

 We provide a list of what you can do in an orderly manner to avoid any hassle that may arise from buying a useless second hand car a.k.a "lemon"

1. Do your own research

Before jumping onto the billing bandwagon, make a list of the vehicles you’re targeting. Once you have your list, get help from Car Analytics, check the cars you have on your list using the registration number and check the details. When you have prepared on what you need and what the market has to offer, it will be easy to filter out the jewels from the so called ”lemons”.

2. Valuation

Mileage and vehicle age can affect a car’s value, cars of the same make and model may have variations in price due to these differences. Our vehicle valuation reports can help you decide the market price for the vehicle you intend to buy.

3. Question the dealer

While contacting a dealer or an individual seller, it is best practice to get as much information possible about the used vehicle, always question if you feel any uncertainty during the purchase.

We have a variety of reports that can tend to your needs and also answer the questions that follow:

Here we have some Frequently Asked Questions regarding a used car screening:

·         Are there any outstanding finances left?

·         What is the count of Keepers history?

·         Has the car been set for scrapping?

·         What is the actual mileage without clocking?

·         Was the car involved in any accidents or police records?

·         Has the car undergone any brutal damage, will it be safe to drive again?

4. Inspect

Before taking your vehicle on a test drive, always ensure you inspect the conditions of the vehicle and check for any signs of chassis repair, flood damage, or rust that could potentially wreak havoc on you in the near future. Take help from a car mechanic for a detailed diagnosis.

5. Test drive

After giving the car a thorough inspection, it’s time to get the wheels turning. Drive the car in a large parking lot and on a road where you can drive the vehicle above 60 mph. To evaluate the used car, observe all features whilst driving:
 Steering-wheel behaviour

·         Brake timing and response

·         Windshield wiper degree of freedom

·         Air conditioning/heating

·         Power windows

·         Headlights, directional lights and taillights

Pay attention to the engine sounds to notice any erratic behaviour. 

6. Check your full vehicle history

          Note down the VRN (Vehicle Registration Number) or registration plate number and get a full vehicle check at Car Analytics, a comprehensive and detailed vehicle report for rock-bottom prices in this profiteering and wallet draining market.

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Request key information from DVLA

Requesting information about a vehicle from DVLA

DVLA can be approached for information request if you need to know about ‘your vehicle’ or ‘a vehicle and its registered owner’ on the premise that you have an acceptable aim.

Note the type of details that you can get from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a vehicle, for this purpose you will need the vehicle’s registration number.

Car Analytics provides free vehicle checks , sourced by the DVLA so that you can get all the information you need at one place, and access all the important information you need before buying a used car. 

Information about a vehicle or its registered keeper

The list of reasons that could be accepted as a feasible reason to request information from DVLA records

·         To find out the person who was responsible for an accident

·         In tracking the registered keeper of an abandoned vehicle

·         To find out the registered keeper of a vehicle parked on private land giving out parking tickets

·         Giving out trespass charge notices

·         Tracking the customers responsible for driving off without paying for goods and services

·         Tracking people suspected of insurance fraud

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"Companies of private car parking management who give out parking tickets or trespass charge notices can only request information from the DVLA if they’re members of the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community".

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How to file a request

There are several forms that need to be filled and applied by post. The form needed depends on certain criteria:

·         Form V888 is for an individual to request information

·         Form V8883 is for a company that issues parking or trespass charge notices

·         Form V8882 is used by any other company

Details of how to pay and where to send your application are on each form.

Information available for access

-Information about you

Details that need to be included:

·         your full name

·         your current address

You can view your driving record for a list of your driving bans, penalty points and disqualifications.

-Information about your vehicle

Details that need to be included:

·         your full name

·         your current address and the address on your log book (V5C)

·         the registration number of the vehicle you’re asking about

·         Information you need, for example, when was the vehicle first registered or the date you bought it.

Where to request

You can send your request to DVLA by email or post.

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