‘I’m a mechanic - never buy these cheap used cars for one simple reason’

Top car mechanic Scotty Kilmer has warned motorists to never purchase a certain type of second-hand petrol and diesel used cars with road users at risk of being caught out. Salvaged vehicles or cars which have been written off by insurers may be cheaper to own but are likely to come with substantial risks. 

Scotty warned motorists find they run into problems “months down the line” just for the sake of saving on the upfront cost. He stressed road users should not be “tempted” by the offers no matter how good they are and instead focus their attention elsewhere. The top mechanic first issued the warning last summer but the advice is still just as true today.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Scotty said: “Today I'm going to tell you why not to buy a car with a salvaged title. 

“It doesn't matter if the title says salvaged or rebuilt. It just means the car was totalled by an insurance company. 

“They only total them for rather large reasons. Let’s say it was flooded. It may run fine now but the water damage may ruin it months down the line.

“Now we are all tempted by low prices but realise insurance companies will often raise the rates if you have one that has been totalled. There are plenty of used cars out there. But stay away from ones that have been totalled.”

In the UK, write-offs are separated into several categories with Cat N and Cat S vehicles allowed to return to the road. 

Cat N are any vehicles which have non-structural damage such as cosmetic or mechanic issues that need to be looked at. 

Meanwhile, Cat S vehicles have structural damage that needs professional repair before getting back on the road. 

However, according to AutoTrader, models with this label usually mean the cost of repairs outweighs the vehicle’s total worth.

Sellers must always be open with customers that the model has been written off by insurers before completing a sale. 

Experts at AdrianFlux commented: “Cat N and S vehicles are legally allowed to be repaired and sold, with the caveat that the buyer is informed of the car’s history.

“It should go without saying if a vehicle has been previously written off, it will appear riskier than choosing a car with no accident history for insurance.”