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THE PAST FEW years have seen a rise in the number of accident-damaged vehicles being written off, to the point where almost a quarter of claims result in a write-off.
Many of these are perfectly roadworthy, with damage often being superficial and cosmetic. Of course, insurance firms generally have to use new parts, whereas repairs and used parts could easily be used.
Many other damaged vehicles, though, are potentially highly dangerous, so writeoffs are categorised according to severity.
• Category A: Should be crushed in its entirety with no parts salvaged.
• Category B: Bodyshell should be scrapped, but can be broken up for spares • Category C: Extensively damaged beyond economic repair, but can be fixed and returned to the road following an independent inspection.
• Category D: Damaged beyond insurer's definition of economic repair, but can be repaired and returned to the road.
• Category F: Fire-damaged but repairable. Normally transferred to categories A to D as appropriate.
• Category X: Subject to a claim and sold for salvage. Not recorded by DVLA.
In addition, vehicles where the owner hasn't made an insurance claim for damage don't get recorded. • • Log on to www.hpieheek.com for more.