The four categories
| Category | Meaning | Back on the road? |
|---|---|---|
| Cat A | Scrap. The whole vehicle must be crushed. | No |
| Cat B | Break. The body shell must be crushed, but some parts can be salvaged. | No |
| Cat S | Structural damage, such as to the chassis or crumple zones. Can be repaired. | Yes, once repaired and roadworthy |
| Cat N | Non-structural damage, such as panels, lights or electrics. Can be repaired. | Yes, once repaired and roadworthy |
Categories S and N replaced the old Cat C and Cat D in October 2017. Older cars may still show C or D.
Buying a Cat S or Cat N car
A properly repaired Cat S or Cat N car can be a good-value buy, but you need to be careful:
- Ask what the damage was, who repaired it, and for photos and receipts.
- Have it inspected by an independent mechanic, especially a Cat S car.
- Check the price. A written-off car should be well below the clean-history value. Estimate the clean value with our car value calculator.
- Get insurance quotes first. Some insurers will not cover written-off cars, and others charge more.
- Remember it will be worth less when you sell it.
A paid history check reveals write-off status. Free checks, including the MOT history, do not. See our used car checklist.
Your car has been written off
If your insurer writes off your car, it pays you its market value, less your excess. You can usually choose to keep a Cat S or Cat N car and repair it, but the payout is reduced by its salvage value. You must tell DVLA the vehicle has been written off. If you keep a Cat S car, DVLA records the category in its logbook.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm anything important on GOV.UK. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.