TBH i would rather buy a Cat C than a Cat D....
Cat C has to be checked by VOSA to go back on the road... Cat D dont!
TBH it also comes to down to the garage doing the repairs, and the insurance bloke who class's it a cat C or D.
If the shell is Bent, or had a servere knock it should be Cat B/C
If it is just cosmetic it should be cat D but often a Cat C due to Cost and easy way of Insurance company's telling people oh the Car is a Cat C and would not be worth Repairing...
Its always best the have a full report of damage, Repair work, Photo's are great etc etc...
I have My Photo's of my car through various stages of repair, Pictures of the Car on Jig, Proof of the level of Damage, Proof of new parts (Invoice and Pictures), fresh MOT etc etc...
Only thing i dont have is Past History, although i am hoping the old Owner replies to my letter i sent him asking whether he had the document etc.
Ivan, Keeping looking....
PS: Shopboy from RTOC