Category S and Category N are terms insurers use for vehicles that have been involved in an accident and were deemed too expensive to repair for their owner.
Whilst some vehicles are scrapped after accidents, others are sold on to be repaired and can then be resold, often for a much cheaper price.
However, whilst drivers may think that they are picking up a bargain with a Category S or Category N vehicle, Abigayle noted that the work done to the cars is not inspected before they are put back onto the road, meaning they could be deathtraps.
Later in the video, Abigayle warned that owners of the repaired vehicles could also struggle to sell them on or receive thousands less than the average value of the model.
She added: “And, when you’re finally done with the car, it can be really difficult to sell on, rather than a non-category car because not everybody wants to take that risk.
“Some things are just too good to be true and category cars are one of them, unless you work in the motor trade or can repair the car yourself.”
Whether drivers want to take the gamble or not, most online vehicle retailers will feature icons stating if the vehicle is a write-off.
However, to make sure, motorists are encouraged to enter the number plate on a history checker, with most detailing the status of the car, its mileage and if it has been previously stolen.
Online history checkers, which are typically free to use, also let buyers see a car’s MOT history, which could highlight any issues with the model that may need to be fixed.
