Write-Off Check: Cat N, Cat S, Cat B Explained
Check if a car has been written off by an insurer. Understand what each category means for safety, insurance, and resale value before you buy.
Short answer: a write-off check costs £4.99 on CarCostCheck, as part of a full history check. It shows whether an insurer has recorded the car as written off, the category (Cat A, B, S or N, plus the older Cat C and D), the date of the loss, the insurer and which parts of the car were damaged. The same £4.99 also checks for outstanding finance and theft and shows the date of each recorded keeper change. The free report adds the full MOT history and mileage record, which helps you judge how well a repaired car has held up. One-time payment, no subscription.
What the write-off check includes
Write-off categories explained
Category A
Scrap only. The entire vehicle must be crushed. Nothing can be salvaged, not even parts. These are the most severely damaged vehicles, typically from fires or catastrophic structural failure. A Category A car should never appear for sale.
Category B
Body shell must be crushed, but parts can be salvaged. The car itself cannot be repaired or returned to the road. The engine, gearbox, and other components may be sold as spares. If you see a Category B car for sale as a whole vehicle, walk away.
Category S (replaced Cat C in 2017)
Structural damage that can be repaired. The car can legally go back on the road once it has been repaired to a roadworthy condition, and DVLA records the category on its log book (V5C). Structural damage includes the chassis, frame, or crumple zones. These require careful inspection before purchase. The old Cat C was roughly comparable, but it was based on repair cost rather than the type of damage.
Category N (replaced Cat D in 2017)
Non-structural damage. This could be cosmetic damage, electrical faults, or mechanical issues that were too expensive for the insurer to repair relative to the car's value. Many Cat N cars are perfectly safe after repair. This is the most common write-off category.
How it works
Enter the reg plate
Type any UK vehicle registration into the search bar. No signup needed.
We check write-off records
We check the vehicle against the MIAFTR insurance write-off register, via Experian, for Cat A, B, S and N markers, plus the older Cat C and D.
Get your result
View the write-off status, category explanation, and the full vehicle report.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Cat N write-off?▼
Category N (non-structural) means the car was written off due to damage that does not affect the structure. This includes cosmetic damage, electrical faults, or mechanical issues. The insurer decided it was cheaper to pay out than repair, but the car can be legally repaired and returned to the road. Many Cat N cars are perfectly safe after proper repair.
What is a Cat S write-off?▼
Category S (structural) means the car suffered structural damage, such as to the chassis, frame, or crumple zones. It can go back on the road once it has been repaired to a roadworthy condition, and DVLA records the category on the car's log book (V5C). There is no official inspection of the repair (the old Vehicle Identity Check was abolished in 2015 and only checked the car's identity), so Cat S cars should be inspected by an independent engineer before purchase.
Should I buy a Cat N or Cat S car?▼
It depends on the repair quality. A well-repaired Cat N car can be a good deal, as the write-off status significantly reduces the resale value even if the car is mechanically sound. Cat S cars carry more risk because structural repairs are harder to verify. Always get an independent inspection and be aware that insurance costs and resale value will be affected.
How does a write-off affect insurance?▼
Insurance premiums are typically higher for written-off vehicles because insurers view them as higher risk. Some insurers may refuse to cover Cat S or Cat B vehicles entirely. Always check insurance quotes before purchasing a written-off car, as the cost increase can be significant.
Can a write-off marker be removed?▼
Rarely. A write-off record normally stays on the car's history for good, however well it has been repaired. Insurers can occasionally remove a record, and when that has happened our report shows the date the flag was removed. Either way, our check reveals the write-off history that a seller might not disclose.
How much does a write-off check cost?▼
£4.99, as part of our full history check. You get the write-off category, the date, the insurer and the damaged areas, plus the stolen and outstanding finance checks, the number of keepers with the date of each recorded change, plate transfers, colour changes, import and export markers and a VIN check. The free report includes the full MOT history, mileage verification and reliability score at no cost.
Check for write-off history now
Enter any UK reg plate. Free MOT analysis included. Full premium check with write-off, stolen, and finance for just £4.99.