Cat N + Cat S Write-Off FAQ: Every Answer in One Place
What Cat S, Cat N, Cat C and Cat D actually mean, whether you can legally drive one, insure one, finance one and sell one, plus how to check any reg plate against the same insurance industry database HPI uses, for £4.99.
Last reviewed June 2026
Same MIAFTR data as HPI, £4.99 instead of £19.99
Check Cat A, B, S, N (and legacy Cat C, D) markers on any UK reg. Sourced via Experian from MIAFTR, the same insurance industry database HPI uses. Plus full MOT history, mileage check and outstanding finance.
Categories explained
What is a Cat S write-off?
Structural damage. The vehicle has suffered structural damage that compromised the chassis, frame or crumple zones. It can legally return to the road after professional repair and a notification of the marker. Insurance policies vary on whether they will cover Cat S vehicles. Cat S replaced the older Cat C in October 2017.
What is a Cat N write-off?
Non-structural damage. Significant damage to non-structural components, bodywork, electrics, interior, mechanical, but the underlying structure is intact. Cat N can return to the road without notification. Often the repair is straightforward. Cat N replaced the older Cat D in October 2017.
What is a Cat A write-off?
Scrap only. The damage is so severe the vehicle must be crushed; even individual parts cannot be salvaged. Cat A vehicles cannot be repaired or returned to the road under any circumstances.
What is a Cat B write-off?
Body shell destroyed. The vehicle itself cannot be repaired and must be scrapped, but individual parts (engine, gearbox, electronics) can be salvaged for use in other vehicles. Cat B cars cannot be put back on the road; only their parts can be reused.
What is a Cat C write-off?
Legacy category, replaced by Cat S in October 2017. Equivalent: economic write-off where the cost to repair exceeded the vehicle's pre-accident value, but the damage was such that it could be repaired. Existing Cat C markers remain permanent on the vehicle's history.
What is a Cat D write-off?
Legacy category, replaced by Cat N in October 2017. Equivalent: light damage where the repair cost exceeded the insurer's repair threshold but the vehicle was structurally sound. Existing Cat D markers remain permanent.
Driving a write-off legally
Can you legally drive a Cat S car?
Yes, after professional structural repair and a successful Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) was historically required (though VIC has been suspended since 2015). The owner should retain repair documentation. The Cat S marker stays on the V5 logbook permanently.
Can you legally drive a Cat N car?
Yes. Cat N vehicles can be returned to the road without inspection or notification. The Cat N marker stays on the vehicle's history but does not appear on the V5 itself.
Can you legally drive a Cat C or Cat D car?
Yes, both legacy categories allowed return to the road after repair. Cat C required notification (VIC); Cat D did not. Like Cat S/N, the marker is permanent on the history.
Do I need to declare a Cat S or Cat N to the DVLA?
Cat S markers must be notified to the DVLA after repair so the V5 reflects the status. Cat N markers do not require DVLA notification. Failure to declare Cat S after repair is technically a documentation issue rather than a moving offence.
Insuring a write-off
Can you insure a Cat S car?
Yes, but expect higher premiums and fewer providers willing to quote. Most mainstream insurers will cover Cat S after repair, but some specialist or premium insurers refuse. Always disclose the Cat S marker; failure to disclose is grounds for the insurer to void the policy.
Can you insure a Cat N car?
Yes, generally with smaller premium increases than Cat S. Most insurers treat Cat N as a minor disclosure rather than a category-changing risk. Always disclose.
Will a Cat S or Cat N car be cheaper to insure than a non-marker car?
No. The marker increases insurance cost regardless of the repair quality. The lower purchase price of a write-off is partly offset by the higher running insurance cost over ownership.
What happens if I don't tell my insurer about a Cat S/N marker?
Non-disclosure of a material fact lets the insurer void the policy after a claim or refuse to pay out. Even where the policy is not voided, future renewals can be refused industry-wide. The Insurance Database (MID) shares disclosure history between providers.
Buying or selling a write-off
Are Cat S or Cat N cars worth less than equivalent unmarked cars?
Yes. Typical depreciation discount for a Cat N is 15-25% vs unmarked equivalent; for Cat S it is 25-40%. The discount widens with vehicle age and reduces with strong repair documentation.
Can I sell a Cat S or Cat N car?
Yes, but you must disclose the marker. Selling a Cat S or N without disclosure is a misrepresentation that gives the buyer grounds to reverse the sale and reclaim the cost. Most reputable dealers will refuse a part-exchange on a Cat car.
Should I buy a Cat S or Cat N car?
It depends. A well-repaired Cat N at a 20% discount can be a genuine bargain, use the saving toward an enhanced inspection. A Cat S or poorly-documented Cat N is higher risk; the structural repair quality is critical and not something most buyers can verify themselves. Always pay for an independent mechanical inspection before completing.
Can a write-off car pass MOT?
Yes. The MOT tests current roadworthiness, not history. A repaired Cat S or N car passes MOT the same as any other car, provided it currently meets the standard. Pre-repair, a written-off vehicle would normally fail MOT regardless of category.
Finance + repossession
Can I get finance on a Cat S or Cat N car?
Some lenders will, with restrictions. Cat N is generally accepted by mainstream PCP and HP providers; Cat S is usually only accepted by specialist used-car finance lenders. Expect higher APR and shorter terms than for unmarked cars.
Can a Cat car still have outstanding finance against it?
Yes. The original finance company's claim is independent of the write-off marker. If a written-off vehicle was repaired and sold while still on finance, the finance company can still repossess from the new owner. Always run a finance check.
How to check for write-off markers
How do I check if a car has been written off (free options)?
There is no free check that returns write-off markers. Cat A/B/S/N data sits in the insurance industry's MIAFTR database, which charges per query. Free DVLA and DVSA data does not include write-off markers. Any 'free write-off check' site is misleading.
What is the cheapest way to check for write-off markers?
CarCostCheck premium at £4.99. It returns Cat A, B, S, N, plus legacy Cat C and D markers, sourced from MIAFTR via Experian, the same provider HPI (£19.99) uses. The £4.99 also includes outstanding finance, stolen, VIN verification, plate transfers, and previous owners.
Do the new sub-£1 car check sites show write-off markers?
No. The 20p to 30p 'credit' checks that appeared in 2026 pull DVLA and DVSA data only, which does not include insurance write-off markers. Cat A, B, S and N data sits in the MIAFTR database accessed via Experian, which charges a real per-lookup fee, so it cannot be supplied at sub-£1 prices. A 30p check that stays silent on write-off status is not clearing the car, it simply never looked. CarCostCheck at £4.99 is the cheapest check that actually returns the write-off category.
Is the data really the same as HPI's?
Yes. CarCostCheck pulls write-off, stolen and finance data from Experian's UK vehicle data feed, which itself aggregates MIAFTR (write-offs and theft), CUE (claims) and the finance industry register. HPI uses the same Experian feed. The data flowing into a £4.99 CarCostCheck report is the same as the data in a £19.99 HPI report.
Will a CarCostCheck premium report show legacy Cat C and D markers?
Yes. Markers are permanent. Even though Cat C was replaced by Cat S in 2017, vehicles previously written off as Cat C still carry the Cat C marker today. Same for Cat D / Cat N. The premium report shows whichever marker is on file.
Run a write-off check on any UK reg, £4.99
Cat A, B, S, N + legacy Cat C, D markers from MIAFTR via Experian. Same data HPI charges £19.99 for. Plus stolen, finance, VIN verification, and full MOT history. PDF in 60 seconds.