| Category | Damage Type | Can It Return to Road? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat A | Scrap only | No | The entire car must be crushed. No parts can be salvaged. |
| Cat B | Body shell destroyed | No | The body shell must be crushed. Some parts can be salvaged. |
| Cat S | Structural damage | Yes (after inspection) | Damage to the chassis or frame. Must be professionally repaired. |
| Cat N | Non-structural damage | Yes | Cosmetic or mechanical damage. No structural damage to the frame. |
Buying Advice
What is a Cat N Write-Off and How to Check for Free
Everything UK car buyers need to know about Category N write-offs. What it means, whether you should buy one, how it affects insurance and value, and how to check any car's write-off history.
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Key takeaway: A Cat N (Category N) write-off is a car that an insurer declared a total loss due to non-structural damage. It can be legally repaired and driven. Cat N cars are often 20-40% cheaper, but carry risks around repair quality, insurance costs, and resale value. A write-off check costs £4.99 with CarCostCheck premium, compared to £19.99 with typical paid services.
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Looking for the full picture? Read the Cat N + Cat S Write-Off FAQ — every category (A, B, S, N + legacy C, D) answered in one page, including driving, insuring, financing and reselling a write-off. Same MIAFTR data as HPI, £4.99 instead of £19.99.
Write-Off Categories Explained
When an insurer decides a damaged car costs more to repair than it is worth, they "write it off." Since October 2017, there are four write-off categories in the UK:
Cat N is the most common write-off category for cars that return to the road. Typical causes include:
- Bumper and panel damage from low-speed collisions
- Flood or water damage (be very cautious with these)
- Theft-related damage (broken locks, dashboard damage)
- Hail damage
- Engine or gearbox failure (where repair cost exceeds value)
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How to Check for Write-Off History
Write-off records are held in the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) and the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE). These are private databases maintained by the insurance industry. They cannot be checked for free.
CarCostCheck premium (£4.99) includes a full write-off check alongside stolen, finance, keeper, VIN, and colour change data. This is 75% cheaper than typical alternatives at £19.99.
The free CarCostCheck report can also reveal warning signs in the MOT history:
- Gaps in the MOT timeline (the car was off the road for repairs)
- Sudden changes in the test centre location
- Multiple new advisories appearing after a gap
- Mileage inconsistencies around the same period
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Should You Buy a Cat N Car?
Potential Benefits
- Lower price: Cat N cars are typically 20-40% cheaper than equivalent non-written-off vehicles
- Good value if well repaired: A properly fixed Cat N with cosmetic-only damage can be mechanically identical to a non-written-off car
- Honest sellers exist: Many dealers specialise in repaired write-offs and do a thorough job
Potential Risks
- Poor repair quality: Some repairs are cosmetic cover-ups that hide ongoing problems
- Higher insurance: Some insurers charge 10-30% more; others refuse Cat N cars entirely
- Lower resale value: When you come to sell, the write-off history will always be visible
- Hidden damage: What was classified as "non-structural" may still have caused hidden issues
- Flood damage: Water-damaged cars categorised as Cat N can have long-term electrical and corrosion problems that are extremely expensive to fix
Checklist for Buying a Cat N Car
- Run a free CarCostCheck report to review the full MOT history and check for related issues
- Add the £4.99 premium check to confirm the write-off category and check for stolen/finance issues
- Ask the seller for repair documentation (invoices, photos, engineer reports)
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection (AA, RAC, or an independent mechanic)
- Get insurance quotes before committing to the purchase
- Factor in the lower resale value when calculating total cost of ownership
How It Affects Your CarCostCheck Report
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cat N mean on a car?
Cat N means the insurer declared the car a total loss due to non-structural damage. It can be legally repaired and returned to the road.
Can I check if a car is Cat N for free?
Write-off data requires access to private insurance databases. CarCostCheck premium includes a full write-off check for £4.99. The free check can reveal warning signs in the MOT history.
Should I buy a Cat N car?
A properly repaired Cat N can be a bargain (20-40% cheaper). But always get an independent inspection, check the MOT history, and get insurance quotes before buying.
Does Cat N affect insurance?
Yes. Many insurers charge 10-30% more for Cat N vehicles, and some will not insure them. Always get quotes before purchasing.
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Related reading: Cat N + Cat S FAQ | What is a Cat S Write-Off? | Car Finance Check Free UK | Full Feature Comparison
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Example report preview
2019 Ford Fiesta
1.0 EcoBoost, Petrol, Manual
82
Grade A
£2,450
per year
Pass
MOT status
42k
Mileage
Fuel£1,180Tax£165Insurance£680Repairs£425
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