What is a Cat A, Cat B, Cat S or Cat N write-off car?

While you search for your next used car, you may spot a potential bargain described as ‘Cat S’ or ‘Cat N’. If you are wondering what that means, we’ll explain – as well as advising whether it’s a good idea to buy one of these cars.

A ‘Cat’ (short for ‘category’) car is a vehicle that has been damaged sufficiently for an insurance company to decide it was beyond economic repair. In other words, it was cheaper for the insurer to replace the car than fix it and return it to the road. These cars are known as ‘write-offs’, and the different write-off categories tell you about the type of damage.

There are four main ‘Cats’ to be aware of, each indicating a different type and severity of damage: Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N.

Cats S and N replaced Cats C and D in 2017. We’ll explain all about that – and everything else you need to know – in this guide to insurance write-offs.

What is an insurance write-off?

An insurance write-off is a car that’s been damaged so badly that it’s either unsafe or uneconomic for the insurer to have repaired. Perhaps it was in a collision, a fire, or a flood – whatever the cause, the result is that the car has been taken off the road. It doesn’t necessarily stay off the road, though, which we’ll come back to later.

The cost of repair itself doesn’t have to be more than the car is worth for a car to be written off: insurance firms factor in costs like transport, storage and administration when determining whether to have a car repaired or replaced, while rising parts prices and garage rates also have a bearing here. As a result, a repair bill that is between 50-70% of a vehicle’s value is typically enough to see it deemed a write-off.

The categories are A, B, S and N, with S and N replacing the old C and D categories. The switch happened in 2017 after a review by the Association of British Insurers. The main difference is that the new system puts a greater focus on highlighting any structural issues that could affect the safety of a vehicle.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the four write-off categories, with a more detailed explanation below.

• Cat A – Car has suffered severe structural damage and cannot be repaired
• Cat B – Car cannot be repaired, but it can be stripped for parts to use on other cars
• Cat S – Structural damage that can be repaired
• Cat N – Non-structural damage that can be repaired

Cat A cars, or scrap cars

Category A write-offs are vehicles that have suffered severe structural damage. They can’t be repaired and should certainly never be sold on to be used on the road again. The car’s chassis and/or body shell (the components that give a car its strength in a crash) may have been heavily damaged in a collision, or it may have been burnt out in a fire.

Whatever’s left of the car must be scrapped and a certificate of destruction issued after the car has been destroyed. You can’t even take the gear knob off it.

If a car you own is written off as a Cat A, the insurance company will do most of the legwork. Because the car must be destroyed there’s not much else for you to do, other than send your vehicle logbook (V5C) to the insurance company, keeping the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section from it, and telling the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) your vehicle has been written off.

Cat B cars, or break for parts cars

Category B write-offs have suffered severe damage that can’t be repaired. As with a Cat A, these cars can’t go back on the road. However, the remains of the car can be stripped for parts for use on other vehicles. The chassis and/or body shell must be scrapped because this may have suffered serious or irreparable damage, but other parts are fair game.

It’s a similar process for Cat B cars, with the insurance company taking responsibility for the car with just a little admin left for the owner. These cars can have non-structural parts removed, so you can usually buy back parts or have the remains of the vehicle returned for a fee once the insurer gives you a payout.

If you take the car back in this state you will be responsible for scrapping the chassis/body shell, and the insurer might ask for proof this has been done properly.

Cat S cars, or structurally damaged cars

Cat S write-offs have suffered damage to structural areas of the vehicle such as the chassis or crumple zones. The key difference between a Cat A or B and a Category S is that the car can be repaired to a roadworthy condition and driven again.

However, the car must pass an inspection by an accredited engineer. Depending on what parts have been used to carry out repairs, the DVLA may issue a new registration number for the car. If so, this will start with the letter ‘Q’.

When a car is put in Category S, the insurer might offer you the chance to buy the car back (because once the insurer pays out on a write-off it owns the car). You might think this is worthwhile because Cat S cars can be driven on the road again once repaired.

Because the vehicle has been written off, you will have to re-register it with the DVLA to make it road legal. You will receive a new logbook that notes the fact that the car is Cat S.

Cat N cars, or non-structurally damaged cars

Category N write-offs are vehicles that have suffered non-structural damage and can be repaired to a roadworthy condition. After the repairs are finished, they can be put back into use. The term ‘non-structural’ covers all sorts of damage and could include the bumpers and roof panel, not to mention the electrics, the engine and the seats. A Cat N car doesn’t need to pass an inspection or be re-registered before it is returned to the road.

Once a car has been given a Cat N status, it can be bought back just like a Cat S car. However, the difference is that you do not need to re-register it. Instead, you keep the same logbook but must inform the DVLA of the car’s Cat N status.

What happens if my car is written off?

If the insurance firm decides it is not worth repairing your car, it will dispose of the car and offer you a settlement figure, paying you for the loss of the vehicle. The settlement amount will be based on the car’s market value prior to the incident. This is when GAP insurance comes in handy, as if you have a GAP policy it will make up any shortfall between the market value and what you may owe any finance company you used to fund the vehicle.

If the car is a Cat A you won’t have any choice in what happens to it: it cannot, by law, be returned to the road, so you’ll get your payout, and the car will be disposed of.

Cat B cars can technically be bought back, but their bodies must be crushed, and only their parts can be re-used/sold.

Cat S and N cars can be bought from insurance companies, though. Is it worth doing? Putting the car back on the road is likely to take a lot of time and money, but you may decide it’s worth the effort. Perhaps you’re particularly attached to the car, or knowledgeable and confident enough about getting it repaired and selling it on. Just keep in mind that written-off cars are worth significantly less than non-write-offs, and their history must legally be declared when selling them.

You’ll need to liaise directly with your insurer if you want to do this, agreeing a price for the car.

Can I dispute an insurance write-off?

Yes, but you need to be sure of your ground.

If you find yourself in this situation and the insurance company is standing firm, you’ll need evidence to challenge the decision. This may include quotes from reputable repairers, and evidence of the true market value of your car.

Before you go down this road, bear in mind that insurers must put written-off cars on MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Theft Register) within seven days of deeming them such. It is very difficult to have a car removed from MIAFTR, which is one of the key records vehicle history check companies use to determine if a car has been written off.

What if I’m not happy with the repairs to my Cat S or Cat N car?

If you are not satisfied with the repairs to your car, you should inform your insurer immediately, regardless of the extent of the work. Poor repairs could affect your car’s used value (hurting your bank balance) or its safety (potentially hurting you a lot worse).

Inspect the repairs carefully as soon as the car is returned and list any problems. If you’re not confident doing this yourself, the AA and RAC offer inspection services. Inform them of the work that’s been carried out when booking so the engineer knows what to look for. You’ll receive a report detailing any problems which should be submitted to your insurer. The insurance company should then arrange for any rectification work to be carried out. You may have to repeat the process until you’re happy.

Touch wood, one complaint will be enough for the repairs to be brought up to a safe and professional standard. However, if the car is back and forth to the repairer without the work being done properly, then in extreme cases you’re within your rights to reject the car entirely.

Different insurers have different policies to deal with the situation but you’re likely to be offered a cash sum equivalent to the market value of the car, or a direct replacement.

Should I buy a Cat S or Cat N car?

Now this is a tricky question to answer. You should certainly pay less for a Cat S or Cat N than a car that’s never been written off. Even after a competent repair, a Cat S or N car will be worth less than an otherwise identical used vehicle.

So, while they can look temptingly cheap, you need to do your homework and keep your eyes open. Here are a few tips to minimise your risk.

1. Get a history check

If you’re serious about buying a car, it’s worth paying for a history check like the one which Carwow offers. A full history check will tell you useful information on top of a car’s write-off status, such as whether it has been reported stolen or has outstanding finance, as well as confirming the vehicle’s identity. It could save you from making an expensive mistake.

2. Buy from a dealer rather than private seller

If you want complete peace of mind, buy from an established dealership with a good reputation. You have more consumer rights buying from a business, and they’ll be easier to follow up with if something goes wrong.

It’s not that dealers are inherently more honest than private sellers, but the law puts more tools at your disposal when you buy from a business.

3. Find out as much as you can

Asking questions is important when you’re buying any used car, but even more so when buying a write-off. Asking for details and photos of the damage can help give a good idea. Some owners may also have pictures of the car undergoing repair. If you aren’t given a clear answer, consider walking away.

4. Take extra caution

Cars that have been structurally damaged could cause a headache further down the road, even if the work has been carried out properly. If you do want to take the risk, be sure the work has been completed properly to a high standard.

5. Check you can get insured

Before you decide to buy a Cat S or Cat N car, check that your insurer will cover you first. Some companies will not cover these cars, and those that do will likely charge more than normal. If your premium is going to be higher, that could wipe out any savings from buying a cut-price car.

6. Look into getting a warranty

One way to give yourself peace of mind when buying a Cat S or Car N car is to get a warranty. Not all companies will cover these vehicles, but it could help with your costs if anything does go wrong.

Insurance write-off cars FAQs

What is Cat S?

Cat S refers to a vehicle that has sustained structural damage but can be repaired and safely returned to the road. It stands for “Category S”, indicating that the car has been written off by the insurer but can be fixed and re-registered.

What does Cat N mean on a car?

Cat N, or Category N, indicates that a car has sustained non-structural damage. While the damage may affect the car’s usability, it doesn’t compromise the structural integrity, and the vehicle can be repaired and safely driven again.

Is car insurance cancelled after a write-off?

You might be surprised to learn that when your car is written off, you must still make the monthly payments until the end of the policy. If you paid up front, you will not be able to claim a refund for the remainder of the year.

Can I insure a repairable write-off?

Yes, you can, but you may need to shop around a bit.

You must inform your insurance provider if your car has previously been written off. Not all providers will cover a write-off. From your insurer’s perspective, a write-off is something of an unknown quantity. It’s not clear how good the repairs were and, if future repairs are needed, they may reveal a mess of bodges that need rectifying. It’s understandable that some insurers don’t want to take on this risk.

Insurers that will cover a write-off may request an engineer’s report. Whether they do or don’t require a report, the premium will be more than you would pay for an equivalent car that hasn’t been written-off. Don’t forget that, if you’re the one who caused the damage that wrote the car off, you must inform your insurer.

How do insurance companies value write-offs?

Insurance companies will pay a settlement fee equivalent to the vehicle’s market value at the time it was written off. The idea is to give you enough money to replace your damaged car with a similar one.

You will not receive the car’s value when it was new. If you financed your car, you might find the payout does not cover the repayments, with your only options to negotiate a higher payout or contact your finance provider to find a solution.

How can I check if my car is a write-off?

When buying any used car, it’s important to check the history of the vehicle. A detailed vehicle HPI check will provide information on whether a car has been categorised as an insurance write-off. It’s important to know this because it will affect the overall value of the car. After all, you don’t want to pay over the market value for a car that was previously involved in a road traffic collision.

Carwow offers a comprehensive history check service that will put you in the picture.

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