Cat S vs Cat N write-offs explained
If your insurer has written your car off, it'll be put in one of four categories — and they're widely misunderstood. Here's what Cat S and Cat N actually mean, how they differ from Cat A and Cat B, and what it means for the value of your car.
The four categories
Since 2017, insurers in the UK use these salvage categories:
- Cat A — scrap only. The whole car must be crushed; not even parts can be salvaged.
- Cat B — break for parts. The body shell must be destroyed, but usable parts can be removed and reused.
- Cat S — structural damage (chassis, crumple zones, suspension mounts) that is repairable. Can return to the road after proper repair and re-registration.
- Cat N — non-structural damage (electrics, cosmetics, sometimes airbags or steering). Repairable and roadworthy once fixed.
Can you still drive a Cat S or Cat N car?
Yes — both can legally return to the road once repaired to a safe standard. A Cat S must be re-registered with the DVLA after repair; a Cat N doesn't need re-registration but the marker stays on its history forever. Either way, the write-off marker will show on an HPI check and affects resale value.
What's your write-off worth?
More than straight scrap, usually. Because Cat S and Cat N cars are repairable and carry in-demand parts, they command a premium over scrap weight — often a good deal more if airbags are unfired and the drivetrain is clean. We quote against the actual car and its category, not a generic figure.
Repair, sell, or scrap?
If the repair is straightforward and the car is worth it once fixed, repairing can make sense. If the numbers don't add up — or you simply want rid — selling the salvage to us lets you keep your insurance settlement and take the salvage price on top, with no write-off car left on the drive.
FAQs
Is Cat N worse than Cat S?
Not necessarily — they describe the type of damage, not the severity. Cat S is structural (frame/chassis); Cat N is non-structural (electrical, cosmetic, sometimes safety items). A Cat N can still have significant damage.
Do I have to tell anyone if I repair a Cat S car?
A repaired Cat S must be re-registered with the DVLA before it returns to the road. Cat N doesn't require re-registration, but you should still keep records of the repair.
Can I sell a Cat S or Cat N car for scrap?
Yes. If you don't want to repair it, we'll buy the salvage at a premium over scrap and handle the paperwork and Certificate of Destruction.