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What is a write-off? Cat A, B, S and N explained#
A write-off is a car an insurer has decided not to repair after damage, theft or flood - either because it can't safely be repaired, or because repairing it would cost more than it's worth. The insurer pays the owner out, takes ownership of the vehicle, and records the loss on the industry's Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR). That record is what a paid history check surfaces, and it stays with the car for life.
A write-off marker doesn't automatically mean a car is dangerous or a bad buy - hundreds of thousands of safely repaired Cat S and Cat N cars are on UK roads. It does mean the car's history and price need a closer look.
The current categories (since October 2017)#
| Category | Meaning | Can it return to the road? |
|---|---|---|
| Cat A | Scrap only. Severe damage - the whole car must be crushed, including parts. | Never |
| Cat B | Break for parts. The body shell must be crushed, but undamaged parts can be salvaged and sold. | Never |
| Cat S | Structural damage (chassis, crumple zones, suspension mounting points) that has been or can be professionally repaired. | Yes, after repair and re-registration |
| Cat N | Non-structural damage - cosmetic panels, electrics, interior, or systems like steering and brakes that don't involve the structure. | Yes, after repair |
"S" and "N" describe where the damage was, not how bad the repair turned out. A well-repaired Cat S car can be perfectly sound; a badly repaired Cat N can be a problem. The category tells you what to inspect, not whether to walk away.
The old categories: Cat C and Cat D#
Cars written off before October 2017 carry the older letters:
- Cat C - repairable, but repairs would have cost more than the car's value. Roughly comparable to today's Cat S in seriousness.
- Cat D - repairable, and repairs cost less than the value, but the insurer chose to write it off anyway (often because of hire-car costs or parts delays). Roughly comparable to Cat N.
You'll still see C and D on reports for older vehicles, and they mean the same thing they did then.
What to do when a report shows a write-off#
- Match the date to the story. A report shows the loss date. Ask the seller what happened and who repaired it - a good seller will know and have paperwork.
- Check for a repair record. For Cat S cars, look for invoices, photos of the repair, and ideally an independent post-repair inspection (bodyshops and engineers offer these from around £100).
- Price it accordingly. A written-off car is typically worth 20-40% less than an equivalent clean-history car, and that discount follows it to resale.
- Tell your insurer. You must disclose a known write-off history when insuring the car. Some insurers charge more; a few decline Cat S.
- Cat S needs a new V5C. DVLA reissues the logbook for Cat S cars - if the seller can't produce one, be careful.
If a report shows Cat A or Cat B, the car should not be on the road at all - a roadworthy car with a Cat A/B record is a serious red flag, suggesting the identity of a crushed car has been transferred onto another vehicle (a "ringer"). Walk away and consider reporting it.
Related reading#
- Scrapped cars and the Certificate of Destruction
- Checking the VIN and engine number against the car
- Car check report FAQ
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A Check The Reg full report includes write-off records with category, loss date, cause and damage location, alongside salvage auction records with photos where they exist.