Motorbike Write-Off Check: Has It Been Written Off?
Find out if an insurer has written a motorbike off, and in which category, before you buy it. Part of the £4.99 history check.
What the write-off check shows
Insurance write-off categories
| Category | Repairing it | Using it |
|---|---|---|
| Cat A | Cannot be repaired | The whole vehicle has to be crushed |
| Cat B | Cannot be repaired | The body shell has to be crushed; other parts can be salvaged |
| Cat N | Can be repaired after non-structural damage | Can be used again once repaired to a roadworthy condition |
| Cat S | Can be repaired after structural damage | Can be used again once repaired to a roadworthy condition |
From GOV.UK insurance write-offs, checked 17 October 2026.
Buying a bike that has been written off
A write-off record is not always a reason to walk away, but it should always change the price and the questions you ask. Find out what happened, who repaired it and with what parts. On a Cat S bike, structural damage can include the frame, so an inspection by someone who knows bikes is worth paying for.
Check the free MOT history too. A bike that failed on brakes, steering or suspension soon after a repair is a warning sign, and the mileage at each MOT shows how much it has been ridden since.
Not sure what else to look for? The motorbike check page lists everything the free report and the £4.99 history check cover.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a motorbike has been written off?▼
Enter the registration and choose the £4.99 history check. It shows any insurance write-off record held against the bike, with the category and, where recorded, the date, the cause and the damaged areas. The data is provided by Experian.
What do Cat N and Cat S mean on a motorbike?▼
Both can be repaired and used again. Cat N means non-structural damage; Cat S means structural damage, which on a bike can include the frame. Either way, the bike has to be repaired to a roadworthy condition before it is ridden.
Can you ride a Cat N or Cat S motorbike?▼
Yes, once it has been repaired to a roadworthy condition. For a Cat S, the keeper who keeps it sends the log book to the insurer and applies for a duplicate, and DVLA records the category in the log book.
Can a Cat A or Cat B motorbike go back on the road?▼
No. A Cat A bike has to be crushed whole, and a Cat B bike has its body shell crushed, although other parts can be salvaged.
What are Cat C and Cat D?▼
The categories used before Cat S and Cat N. Older write-offs can still carry a C or D marker, and the history check shows it if it is on record.
Is a written-off motorbike worth buying?▼
It can be, if the price reflects it and the repair was done properly. Get it inspected by someone who knows bikes, ask for the repair invoices, and get an insurance quote before you buy.
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Cat N and Cat S FAQ
Write-off categories explained
Check a motorbike for write-offs before you buy
Enter the registration for the free report, then add the £4.99 history check for write-off, finance and stolen records.