The Different Car Write-Off Categories

Current UK Car Write-Off Categories (Cat A, B, S and N)

Summary: The UK currently uses four car write-off categories (A, B, S and N) to classify vehicles based on safety, structural damage, and repairability.

In the UK, car insurance write-offs are classified by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) into different categories based on safety and repairability. These are Category A, B, S and N, which replaced the older Category C and D system in 2017. Modern write-off categories focus on whether a vehicle can be safely repaired and returned to the road, not just the cost of repairs.

Cat A - the worst level of write-off. The car can't be repaired.

Cat B - Car is undriveable, but parts can be salvaged.

Cat N - A car has suffered non-structural damage, but it still needs to be repaired to get back to road quality.

Cat S - The car has suffered structural damage but it can be repaired.

The cheapest car write off categories for insurance are Cat S and Cat N.

What Is A Car Write-Off?

Summary: A car write-off is when a vehicle is declared uneconomical or unsafe to repair and is assigned an insurance category that determines whether it can return to the road.

A write-off is when a car sustains damage that makes it unfit for public roads. Repairs can be made to return the car to roadworthy condition in some write-off cases, but in others, the damage is beyond repair. A write-off can happen in a number of situations, but it most likely occurs in a crash or collision. Once a car has been declared a write-off, it becomes harder to sell and insure.

Who Decides Car Write-Off Categories In The UK?

In the UK, car write-off categories are set by the Association of British Insurers and used by insurers to classify damage severity and road safety outcomes.

How Do Write-Offs Affect Car Insurance?

Summary: Cars with a write-off history are usually more expensive to insure because insurers see them as higher risk than vehicles with no previous damage.

A write-off will increase insurance costs and, in some cases, lead to insurance being refused. To a car insurer, a car that has previously been written off presents a risk of future issues. To guard against this added risk, insurance premiums tend to be much higher than for a car with a clean bill of health. At a time when insurance is already expensive, buying a previously written-off car may not be the best way to protect your finances.

Legacy Write-Off Categories (Cat C And Cat D)

Summary: Category C and D are legacy write-off labels used before 2017 and may still appear on older vehicles, even though they are no longer issued.

Under the ABI system, these categories are no longer assigned: Cat C and Cat D.

Cat C and Cat D are no longer recognised, having been replaced by category A, B, N and S. When they were still used, cat C write-offs described a car that can be repaired, but doing so will cost more than the car is worth. Cat D described cars that had suffered repairable damage, but the overall cost (including work) to fix it was more than the car was worth.

Which Write-Off Categories Can Go Back On The Road?

Summary: Only Category S and Category N vehicles can legally return to the road after being properly repaired and approved.

Which Write-Off Categories Are Cheapest To Insure?

Summary: Category N and Category S vehicles are typically cheaper to insure than other write-off types because they are repairable and present lower long-term risk.

The cheapest write-off categories are the ones where as little work as possible is needed. This leaves Cat S and Cat N, but there’s a clear winner in the cheapest write-off race.

Cat N is the cheapest car insurance write-off category. This is because the damage sustained isn’t structural and is likely to be cosmetic. Cosmetic issues and engine troubles cost much less to repair than common Cat S issues like suspension or chassis damage.

As Cat N issues aren’t structural, the main frame of the car is still intact, and the chance of future issues is much smaller than with other insurance write-off categories. To an insurer, Cat N presents the least risk of future issues, and car insurance premiums will reflect this.

Find out more about Cat N write offs.

Should I Buy A Write-Off?

Summary: Buying a written-off car can be cheaper upfront but usually involves higher insurance costs and greater risk, depending on the category and repair quality.

It really depends on the level of write-off and whether the car has been repaired to a good level. In most cases, a write-off is unredeemable, but for Cat S, Cat N, Cat C and even Cat D cars, there’s a chance that they recover to being roadworthy.

From a financial perspective, a past write-off will be around 40% cheaper than a car with a clean history, but insurance premiums will be much higher. Where one cost falls (price), another one rises (insurance).

With that in mind, buying a write-off really depends on both the deal you’re getting and whether the car is now in a good state to drive. If you are set on a car that’s been a write-off, make sure qualified mechanics carried out all repairs, and even consult experts to give the car a clean bill of health.

Got a car in mind that has an imperfect history? We might be able to help. We consider customers of varying credit scores, and this is no different to the cars we finance. If a car matches our vehicle eligibility, we will consider offering finance.

To see if both you and your desired car fit the bill, click here. Don’t worry, our application process doesn’t impact your credit score.

Car Write-Off FAQs

What Does Write-Off Mean?

A write-off is when a car has sustained damage that prevents it from being roadworthy.

What Is Cat S?

Cat S is an insurance write-off category for cars that have sustained structural damage (usually chassis or suspension damage) that needs to be repaired before they can be used on public roads again.

What Is Cat N?

Cat N is an insurance write-off category for cars that have sustained non-structural damage that needs to be repaired if a car is to be road-ready again.

What Are The Car Write-Off Categories?

There are four current UK insurance write-off categories.

Cat A – The damage sustained is unable to be fixed.

Cat B – Part of the car can’t be saved, but other parts are salvageable.

Cat N – The car has only suffered non-structural damage but still needs to be repaired to go back onto the roads.

Cat S – The car has suffered structural damage. This must be repaired before the car goes back onto the road.