Buying
Cat S and Cat N cars explained — should you buy a written-off car?
What the insurance write-off categories A, B, S and N actually mean, how much cheaper a Cat S or Cat N car should be, and the extra checks to run before buying one.
A "written-off" car is one an insurer decided was not worth repairing at the time of a claim. Many are repaired and sold on legally. Some are bargains. Some are dangerous. The category tells you which conversation you need to have.
The four categories
| Category | Meaning | Can it return to the road? |
|---|---|---|
| Cat A | Scrap. The whole car must be crushed. | No |
| Cat B | Body shell must be crushed, parts can be salvaged. | No |
| Cat S | Structural damage (chassis, crumple zones, suspension mounts). Repairable. | Yes, once repaired and re-registered |
| Cat N | Non-structural damage (panels, lights, interior, electrics). Repairable. | Yes |
Cat S and Cat N replaced the old Cat C and Cat D in October 2017. Older cars may still carry C or D markers on history checks.
How much cheaper should it be?
There is no fixed rule, but as a guide a Cat N car is commonly priced 20–30% below a clean equivalent and a Cat S car 30–40% below. If a "Cat N" car is priced like a clean one, the seller is hoping you will not check.
Remember the discount follows the car forever. When you sell it, you will have to disclose the category and take the same hit.
Why "non-structural" does not mean "minor"
Cat N covers anything that is not structural. That includes a flood-damaged car with a ruined electrical system, or a car whose airbags have been deployed. A £400 bumper scrape and a £6,000 wiring loom replacement can both be Cat N. Always ask what the damage was and who repaired it.
Extra checks for a Cat S or Cat N car
- Ask for the repair invoices and photos of the damage before repair. A reputable repairer will have them. No evidence, no purchase.
- Get an independent inspection. For a Cat S car this is essential. A qualified engineer can check the repair was done to a safe standard.
- Check the panel gaps, paint match and underside carefully, as in our buying checklist.
- Confirm the category on a history check. Sellers sometimes describe a Cat S car as Cat N, or forget to mention it at all.
- Check the V5C. Cat S cars must be re-registered with the DVLA after repair, and the logbook will show the marker.
- Get an insurance quote before you buy. Some insurers charge more or refuse cover for previously written-off cars, and payouts on a future claim will reflect the reduced value.
Who should buy one?
A Cat N car with light cosmetic damage, repaired well and priced honestly, can be a sensible buy for someone who plans to keep it for years and is not worried about resale. A Cat S car makes sense only with a professional inspection and a price that reflects the risk.
If you want a car you can sell easily later, or you are financing it, stick to a car with no write-off history.
How to tell if a car is written off
The MOT history will not show it. You need a paid vehicle history check, which reads the insurance industry's database. Motofly listings carry a seller-declared condition; run your own history check on any car before you pay.