What Does Category U Mean?
Understanding Unrecorded Vehicles at Salvage Fix
At Salvage Fix, we want you to be confident in your purchase by clearly explaining all vehicle categories — including Category U, which is often misunderstood but can present excellent opportunities for smart buyers.
A Category U vehicle refers to a car that has not been officially written off by an insurance company. The “U” stands for Unrecorded, meaning the vehicle has not been assessed or categorized under the typical insurance salvage system (such as Category A, B, S, or N). While Category U cars may have sustained damage, it was never reported to or processed by an insurer.
These vehicles may fall into the Category U bracket for several reasons:
-
The vehicle was sold privately or by a dealer before any insurance claim was made.
-
The damage was minor and repaired without an insurance assessment.
-
The car was repossessed or recovered after theft and didn’t go through an insurance loss process.
-
It was a trade-in or part-exchange where the condition wasn’t fully disclosed or documented.
Because there’s no formal insurance record, the vehicle will not show up on salvage or write-off registers, which can be appealing for resale value. However, it also means buyers should be extra diligent with inspections, as there’s no insurer-provided damage report to refer to.
Why Consider a Category U Vehicle?
-
Potentially lower purchase prices compared to market value
-
No write-off history on the V5 or vehicle check reports
-
Opportunity to restore or use for parts, depending on condition
At Salvage Fix, all of our Category U vehicles are listed transparently, with photos and as much detail as possible. However, as with all salvage or damaged vehicles, we always recommend arranging an independent inspection or viewing to confirm condition before purchase.
Once purchased, Category U vehicles are sold as seen, and it’s the buyer’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy, safe, and legally compliant before returning it to the road.