Auto expert Scotty Kilmer has warned drivers to avoid buying a certain type of used cars as they could face higher fees in the future. We take a closer look at what to swerve

A top mechanic has sounded the alarm for drivers over buying certain used petrol and diesel cars. US motoring expert Scotty Kilmer has urged drivers to steer clear of “salvaged” or write-off vehicles, cautioning that such purchases could incur higher costs down the road.

While written-off cars might seem like a bargain at first glance and offer DIY enthusiasts a chance for restoration projects, those pinching pennies can grab these commonly overlooked models at cut-rate prices. Yet, Scotty has flagged up a potential sting in the tail: insurance firms are liable to “raise the rates”, wiping out any initial savings with future premiums through the roof.

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Dishing out advice on his YouTube channel, Scotty explained: “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.

“We’re all suckers for a good deal but remember insurance companies will often raise the rates on a car that’s been written off. Plenty of second-hand cars are out there without this baggage – give those a wide berth.”

Adding another layer of caution, the RAC, breakdown specialists and car insurance pundits, have warned that some sellers might not disclose the full history of the vehicle, putting buyers at risk.

RAC experts have issued a stark warning to potential car buyers, urging them to be “fully aware” of a vehicle’s history before splashing the cash. They warned: “Some sellers try to pass off Cat S or Cat N cars as non-damaged by hiding their past.”

They added that without a proper vehicle history check, buyers could unwittingly fork out too much for an insurance write-off, reports the Express.

Compare the Market has outlined that insurance companies categorise damaged cars from those needing to be scrapped to those that are simply too costly to fix.

Yet, it is possible to buy Category N (non structurally damaged repairable) and Category S (structurally damaged repairable) vehicles.

However, they’ve also highlighted concerns about the steep price of insuring such cars, with many drivers likely to face challenges finding affordable policies.

They cautioned: “You can also buy and sell second-hand S and N write-offs. But these cars may be more difficult and expensive to insure in the future. Some providers won’t insure them at all.”

They advised: “If you’re considering buying an S or N write-off, first check out how much you’re likely to pay to insure it.”