Cat C was retired in 2017 but pre-2017 cars still carry the marker. Here's what Cat C means, how it compares to Cat S, how it affects resale and insurance, and how to check any car's write-off history for £4.99.
Full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs. No signup needed.
| Cat C (legacy) | Cat S (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis for category | Cost of repair > value | Structural damage |
| Active dates | Pre-October 2017 | October 2017 onwards |
| Road legal after repair? | Yes | Yes |
| What it tells you | The insurer wrote it off; damage type unclear | Definitely structural damage |
| Typical discount | 25-50% | 30-50% |
Key takeaway: Cat C (Category C) is a legacy UK write-off category retired in October 2017 and replaced by Cat S. You still see it on cars written off before that date. Cat C usually means structural or major damage that was uneconomical to repair rather than unsafe. Cat C cars are typically 25-50% cheaper but carry permanent insurance and resale consequences. A full write-off check costs £4.99 with CarCostCheck premium, compared to £19.99 at HPI.
Check Any Car Free, Right Now
Enter a reg plate below. Full MOT history, mileage check, reliability score, and running costs in seconds.
On 1 October 2017 the Association of British Insurers (ABI) retired Cat C and Cat D and replaced them with Cat S (structural) and Cat N (non-structural). The reason was simple: the old system was based on cost of repair, which told buyers nothing about whether the car had been structurally damaged or was dangerous. The new system is based on the nature of the damage, which is far more useful.
But the change only applied to new write-offs. Every Cat C marker issued before October 2017 remains on the record permanently. If you are buying a 2010-2017 car, you may well encounter Cat C listings.
In practice, most Cat C cars had structural damage of some kind, since pure cosmetic damage rarely exceeds the value of the vehicle. But you cannot tell for certain from the category alone. That is exactly why the system was replaced.
Enter any reg below for a free MOT history, mileage check, and running costs. Takes 5 seconds, no signup.
Data from DVSA and DVLA. Used by thousands of UK car buyers.
Three reasons it still matters even though the category is retired:
Write-off category data is held in MIAFTR and CUE, the insurance industry's private claim databases. Free checks do not see this data, whatever the advertising says. CarCostCheck premium (£4.99) returns the write-off category alongside stolen, finance, keeper, VIN, and colour-change data.
The free CarCostCheck report can still flag warning signs in the MOT history:
See any of those on a 2010-2017 car priced well below market? Spending £4.99 on the premium check before a viewing is the only sensible move.
Try It Yourself
See everything we check for free. No sign-up, no email, instant results.
| Feature | CarCostCheck Free | CarCostCheck Premium £4.99 | Typical Paid Service £19.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full MOT history (every test since 2005) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| MOT advisories in plain English | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Estimated repair costs per advisory | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mileage verification / clocking detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reliability score (0-100) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Annual running costs breakdown | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fuel cost calculator | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Insurance group estimation | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Red flag alerts | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Common faults for make/model | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stolen check (PNC) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance check | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Write-off check (Cat A/B/N/S) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Previous keeper count | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIN verification | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Colour change history | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | Free | £4.99 | £19.99 |
No new Cat C write-offs since October 2017. Cat C has been replaced by Cat S. But any car written off as Cat C before October 2017 keeps that marker permanently.
There is no safety difference in practice. The category change was about clearer information for buyers, not about the underlying damage being different. A properly repaired Cat C should be as safe as a properly repaired Cat S.
Yes, but with fewer insurers, higher premiums, and often only via specialist schemes. Always get quotes in writing before purchase.
Run the £4.99 CarCostCheck premium report. It returns write-off category (including legacy Cat C and Cat D), stolen status, outstanding finance, previous keepers, and more. That is 75% less than the £19.99 HPI fee for the same data.
Ready to Check a Car?
12 checks included. Free MOT analysis, mileage verification, running costs, and more. Premium stolen, finance, and write-off checks for just £4.99.
Related reading: What is a Cat S Write-Off? | What is a Cat D Write-Off? | What is a Cat N Write-Off? | Full Feature Comparison
Enter any reg plate for a free MOT history, mileage check, health score, and running costs. No signup needed.
Used by thousands of UK car buyers. Data from DVSA and DVLA.
Example report preview
2019 Ford Fiesta
1.0 EcoBoost, Petrol, Manual
82
Grade A
£2,450
per year
Pass
MOT status
42k
Mileage
This is what you'll see. Try it with YOUR car:
12 free checks included. Premium history from £4.99. Valuation from £2.99.