What each insurance write-off category means, which written-off cars can go back on the road, and what to think about before buying a repaired one.
When an insurer decides a damaged car isn't worth repairing, or can't be repaired safely, it's written off and given a category. Some written-off cars are crushed. Others are repaired and sold again, often without the buyer realising. Here's what each category means.
The four categories
| Category |
What it means |
Back on the road? |
| A |
Scrap. The car is so badly damaged it must be crushed, with no parts reused. |
No |
| B |
Break. The body shell must be crushed, but some parts can be salvaged and sold. |
No |
| S |
Structural damage, such as to the chassis or crumple zones. It can be professionally repaired. |
Yes, once repaired |
| N |
Non-structural damage, such as cosmetic or electrical damage. It can be repaired. |
Yes, once repaired |
These categories have been used since October 2017. Before that, cars were categorised A, B, C or D. Category C and D cars could be repaired, roughly like S and N today, but C and D were based on the cost of repair rather than the type of damage.
Why are repairable cars written off?
An insurer writes a car off when repairing it would cost more than it's worth to them, which includes the car's value, the repair cost, and costs such as a hire car. That means plenty of Cat N cars have fairly light damage, especially older cars with a low value. A Cat S car, though, has had damage to its structure, so the quality of the repair matters much more.
Should you buy a Cat S or Cat N car?
It can be a good way to get more car for your money, but go in with your eyes open:
- Value. A written-off car is usually worth noticeably less than the same car without a write-off record, and that will still be true when you sell it.
- Insurance. You must tell your insurer the car has been written off. Some insurers won't cover written-off cars, and others charge more.
- Repair quality. Ask what the damage was, who repaired it, and for photos and invoices. For Cat S, ask whether the repair was checked independently. An inspection by an independent engineer is worth paying for.
- Price. The seller should have told you about the write-off and priced the car to reflect it.
Never buy a Cat A or Cat B car to drive. If a car you're offered turns out to be Cat A or B, walk away and consider reporting it.
How to find out if a car has been written off
Write-offs are recorded on the insurance industry's register (MIAFTR). A full history check shows any write-off record, with the category, the date and, where the insurer recorded it, the areas of the car that were damaged. Check a car.
When you view the car, look for signs of repair too: uneven gaps between panels, paint that doesn't quite match, overspray on rubber seals and trim, and new parts in an otherwise used engine bay.