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While you search for your next used car, you may spot a potential bargain described as 鈥楥at S鈥� or 鈥楥at N鈥�. If you are wondering what that means, we鈥檒l explain 鈥� as well as advising whether it鈥檚 a good idea to buy one of these cars.

A 鈥楥at鈥� (short for 鈥榗ategory鈥�) car is a vehicle that has been damaged sufficiently for an insurance company to decide it was beyond economic repair. In other words, it was cheaper for the insurer to replace the car than fix it and return it to the road. These cars are known as 鈥榳rite-offs鈥�, and the different write-off categories tell you about the type of damage.

There are four main 鈥楥ats鈥� to be aware of, each indicating a different type and severity of damage: Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N.

Cats S and N replaced Cats C and D in 2017. We鈥檒l explain all about that 鈥� and everything else you need to know 鈥� in this guide to insurance write-offs.

If your car is a write off, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on 莲花直播. And you can also sell your car, too. We鈥檙e here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

What is an insurance write-off?

An insurance write-off is a car that鈥檚 been damaged so badly that it鈥檚 either unsafe or uneconomic for the insurer to have repaired. Perhaps it was in a collision, a fire, or a flood 鈥� whatever the cause, the result is that the car has been taken off the road. It doesn鈥檛 necessarily stay off the road, though, which we鈥檒l come back to later.

The cost of repair itself doesn鈥檛 have to be more than the car is worth for a car to be written off: insurance firms factor in costs like transport, storage and administration when determining whether to have a car repaired or replaced, while rising parts prices and garage rates also have a bearing here. As a result, a repair bill that is between 50-70% of a vehicle鈥檚 value is typically enough to see it deemed a write-off.

The categories are A, B, S and N, with S and N replacing the old C and D categories. The switch happened in 2017 after a review by the Association of British Insurers. The main difference is that the new system puts a greater focus on highlighting any structural issues that could affect the safety of a vehicle.

Here鈥檚 a quick breakdown of the four write-off categories, with a more detailed explanation below.

• Cat A 鈥� Car has suffered severe structural damage and cannot be repaired
• Cat B 鈥� Car cannot be repaired, but it can be stripped for parts to use on other cars
• Cat S 鈥� Structural damage that can be repaired
• Cat N 鈥� Non-structural damage that can be repaired

Cat A cars, or scrap cars

Category A write-offs are vehicles that have suffered severe structural damage. They can鈥檛 be repaired and should certainly never be sold on to be used on the road again. The car鈥檚 chassis and/or body shell (the components that give a car its strength in a crash) may have been heavily damaged in a collision, or it may have been burnt out in a fire.

Whatever鈥檚 left of the car must be scrapped and a certificate of destruction issued after the car has been destroyed. You can鈥檛 even take the gear knob off it.

If a car you own is written off as a Cat A, the insurance company will do most of the legwork. Because the car must be destroyed there鈥檚 not much else for you to do, other than send your vehicle logbook (V5C) to the insurance company, keeping the yellow 鈥榮ell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade鈥� section from it, and telling the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) your vehicle has been written off.

Cat B cars, or break for parts cars

Category B write-offs have suffered severe damage that can鈥檛 be repaired. As with a Cat A, these cars can鈥檛 go back on the road. However, the remains of the car can be stripped for parts for use on other vehicles. The chassis and/or body shell must be scrapped because this may have suffered serious or irreparable damage, but other parts are fair game.

It鈥檚 a similar process for Cat B cars, with the insurance company taking responsibility for the car with just a little admin left for the owner. These cars can have non-structural parts removed, so you can usually buy back parts or have the remains of the vehicle returned for a fee once the insurer gives you a payout.

If you take the car back in this state you will be responsible for scrapping the chassis/body shell, and the insurer might ask for proof this has been done properly.

Cat S cars, or structurally damaged cars

Cat S write-offs have suffered damage to structural areas of the vehicle such as the chassis or crumple zones. The key difference between a Cat A or B and a Category S is that the car can be repaired to a roadworthy condition and driven again.

However, the car must pass an inspection by an accredited engineer. Depending on what parts have been used to carry out repairs, the DVLA may issue a new registration number for the car. If so, this will start with the letter 鈥楺鈥�.

When a car is put in Category S, the insurer might offer you the chance to buy the car back (because once the insurer pays out on a write-off it owns the car). You might think this is worthwhile because Cat S cars can be driven on the road again once repaired.

Because the vehicle has been written off, you will have to re-register it with the DVLA to make it road legal. You will receive a new logbook that notes the fact that the car is Cat S.

Cat N cars, or non-structurally damaged cars

Category N write-offs are vehicles that have suffered non-structural damage and can be repaired to a roadworthy condition. After the repairs are finished, they can be put back into use. The term 鈥榥on-structural鈥� covers all sorts of damage and could include the bumpers and roof panel, not to mention the electrics, the engine and the seats. A Cat N car doesn鈥檛 need to pass an inspection or be re-registered before it is returned to the road.

Once a car has been given a Cat N status, it can be bought back just like a Cat S car. However, the difference is that you do not need to re-register it. Instead, you keep the same logbook but must inform the DVLA of the car鈥檚 Cat N status.

What happens if my car is written off?

If the insurance firm decides it is not worth repairing your car, it will dispose of the car and offer you a settlement figure, paying you for the loss of the vehicle. The settlement amount will be based on the car鈥檚 market value prior to the incident. This is when GAP insurance comes in handy, as if you have a GAP policy it will make up any shortfall between the market value and what you may owe any finance company you used to fund the vehicle.

If the car is a Cat A you won鈥檛 have any choice in what happens to it: it cannot, by law, be returned to the road, so you鈥檒l get your payout, and the car will be disposed of.

Cat B cars can technically be bought back, but their bodies must be crushed, and only their parts can be re-used/sold.

Cat S and N cars can be bought from insurance companies, though. Is it worth doing? Putting the car back on the road is likely to take a lot of time and money, but you may decide it鈥檚 worth the effort. Perhaps you鈥檙e particularly attached to the car, or knowledgeable and confident enough about getting it repaired and selling it on. Just keep in mind that written-off cars are worth significantly less than non-write-offs, and their history must legally be declared when selling them.

You鈥檒l need to liaise directly with your insurer if you want to do this, agreeing a price for the car.

Can I dispute an insurance write-off?

Yes, but you need to be sure of your ground.

If you find yourself in this situation and the insurance company is standing firm, you鈥檒l need evidence to challenge the decision. This may include quotes from reputable repairers, and evidence of the true market value of your car.

Before you go down this road, bear in mind that insurers must put written-off cars on MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Theft Register) within seven days of deeming them such. It is very difficult to have a car removed from MIAFTR, which is one of the key records vehicle history check companies use to determine if a car has been written off.

What if I鈥檓 not happy with the repairs to my Cat S or Cat N car?

If you are not satisfied with the repairs to your car, you should inform your insurer immediately, regardless of the extent of the work. Poor repairs could affect your car鈥檚 used value (hurting your bank balance) or its safety (potentially hurting you a lot worse).

Inspect the repairs carefully as soon as the car is returned and list any problems. If you鈥檙e not confident doing this yourself, the AA and RAC offer inspection services. Inform them of the work that鈥檚 been carried out when booking so the engineer knows what to look for. You鈥檒l receive a report detailing any problems which should be submitted to your insurer. The insurance company should then arrange for any rectification work to be carried out. You may have to repeat the process until you鈥檙e happy.

Touch wood, one complaint will be enough for the repairs to be brought up to a safe and professional standard. However, if the car is back and forth to the repairer without the work being done properly, then in extreme cases you鈥檙e within your rights to reject the car entirely.

Different insurers have different policies to deal with the situation but you鈥檙e likely to be offered a cash sum equivalent to the market value of the car, or a direct replacement.

Should I buy a Cat S or Cat N car?

Now this is a tricky question to answer. You should certainly pay less for a Cat S or Cat N than a car that鈥檚 never been written off. Even after a competent repair, a Cat S or N car will be worth less than an otherwise identical used vehicle.

So, while they can look temptingly cheap, you need to do your homework and keep your eyes open. Here are a few tips to minimise your risk.

1. Get a history check

If you鈥檙e serious about buying a car, it鈥檚 worth paying for a history check like the one which 莲花直播 offers. A full history check will tell you useful information on top of a car鈥檚 write-off status, such as whether it has been reported stolen or has outstanding finance, as well as confirming the vehicle鈥檚 identity. It could save you from making an expensive mistake.

2. Buy from a dealer rather than private seller

If you want complete peace of mind, buy from an established dealership with a good reputation. You have more consumer rights buying from a business, and they鈥檒l be easier to follow up with if something goes wrong.

It鈥檚 not that dealers are inherently more honest than private sellers, but the law puts more tools at your disposal when you buy from a business.

3. Find out as much as you can

Asking questions is important when you鈥檙e buying any used car, but even more so when buying a write-off. Asking for details and photos of the damage can help give a good idea. Some owners may also have pictures of the car undergoing repair. If you aren鈥檛 given a clear answer, consider walking away.

4. Take extra caution

Cars that have been structurally damaged could cause a headache further down the road, even if the work has been carried out properly. If you do want to take the risk, be sure the work has been completed properly to a high standard.

5. Check you can get insured

Before you decide to buy a Cat S or Cat N car, check that your insurer will cover you first. Some companies will not cover these cars, and those that do will likely charge more than normal. If your premium is going to be higher, that could wipe out any savings from buying a cut-price car.

6. Look into getting a warranty

One way to give yourself peace of mind when buying a Cat S or Car N car is to get a warranty. Not all companies will cover these vehicles, but it could help with your costs if anything does go wrong.

Insurance write-off cars FAQs

What is Cat S?

Cat S refers to a vehicle that has sustained structural damage but can be repaired and safely returned to the road. It stands for 鈥淐ategory S鈥�, indicating that the car has been written off by the insurer but can be fixed and re-registered.

What does Cat N mean on a car?

Cat N, or Category N, indicates that a car has sustained non-structural damage. While the damage may affect the car鈥檚 usability, it doesn鈥檛 compromise the structural integrity, and the vehicle can be repaired and safely driven again.

Is car insurance cancelled after a write-off?

You might be surprised to learn that when your car is written off, you must still make the monthly payments until the end of the policy. If you paid up front, you will not be able to claim a refund for the remainder of the year.

Can I insure a repairable write-off?

Yes, you can, but you may need to shop around a bit.

You must inform your insurance provider if your car has previously been written off. Not all providers will cover a write-off. From your insurer鈥檚 perspective, a write-off is something of an unknown quantity. It鈥檚 not clear how good the repairs were and, if future repairs are needed, they may reveal a mess of bodges that need rectifying. It鈥檚 understandable that some insurers don鈥檛 want to take on this risk.

Insurers that will cover a write-off may request an engineer鈥檚 report. Whether they do or don鈥檛 require a report, the premium will be more than you would pay for an equivalent car that hasn鈥檛 been written-off. Don鈥檛 forget that, if you鈥檙e the one who caused the damage that wrote the car off, you must inform your insurer.

How do insurance companies value write-offs?

Insurance companies will pay a settlement fee equivalent to the vehicle鈥檚 market value at the time it was written off. The idea is to give you enough money to replace your damaged car with a similar one.

You will not receive the car鈥檚 value when it was new. If you financed your car, you might find the payout does not cover the repayments, with your only options to negotiate a higher payout or contact your finance provider to find a solution.

How can I check if my car is a write-off?

When buying any used car, it鈥檚 important to check the history of the vehicle. A detailed vehicle HPI check will provide information on whether a car has been categorised as an insurance write-off. It鈥檚 important to know this because it will affect the overall value of the car. After all, you don鈥檛 want to pay over the market value for a car that was previously involved in a road traffic collision.

莲花直播 offers a comprehensive history check service that will put you in the picture.

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