What Does a Write-Off Actually Mean
If your vehicle is damaged, your insurance company will send out an engineer or a loss assessor to have a look at it. If the repairs to the vehicle are close to or exceeding its market value, which is approximately 50 percent, then the insurance company will almost definitely write off the vehicle. This is often the case with an MOT failure where repair costs skyrocket. This process is also referred to as a total loss.
What is often overlooked here is that the moment the vehicle is written off, the ownership passes from you to the insurance company. The insurance company pays you the money for your vehicle according to the market value of the vehicle before the accident, while the vehicle belongs to the insurance company. Where it goes next will depend on the classification it falls under.
The Four Write-Off Categories At A Glance
However, things have since been updated to be different in 2017. This is because in 2017 the old categorization system was replaced by a newer one, whereby the previous Cat C was now Cat S and the previous Cat D was now Cat N. This is because the new categorizations were based more on safety than cost. Below is a brief comparison:
- Category A: Destruction, nothing usable. Can it be driven again? No, ever.
- Category B: Body shell is scrap, parts can be sold. Can it be driven again? No, body must be crushed.
- Category S: Structural damage but repairable. Can it be driven again? Yes, after repair and DVLA re-registration.
- Category N: Non-structural damage. Can it be driven again? Yes, no re-registration needed.
Cat A: The End Of The Road
Cat A is simply terrible. It is so badly damaged that the car is scrapped in its entirety, which means scrapping the whole car, including each and every one of its parts. Even those that seem in perfect condition and can potentially be used such as the stereo system or the wing mirror must not be sold.
Why so much hassle? This is due to the fact that it would be impossible to verify whether the parts taken from the car are really safe after removal from the wrecked car.
Cat B: Parts Yes, Body No
Cat B comes one notch above Cat A. The vehicle has suffered extensive structural damage, and its shell is now completely compromised; therefore, it too is destined to be crushed just like a Cat A. The only difference is that components such as the engine, gearbox, doors and seats may be salvaged, provided they pass the test of good condition.
It is not uncommon to find such damaged vehicles at breaker yards which are then dismantled for precisely this purpose. In case of plans to avail services of scrap car removal, this is more or less the fate of your damaged vehicle as well.
Cat S: Structurally Damaged But Fixable
This is where the categories that you will actually see advertised start. Cat S vehicles have structural damage to the vehicle, which may include the chassis, crumple zone, suspension mounts, and the A pillars of the vehicle.
The Cat S category does not mean that the vehicle is unsafe or even totalled. All it means is that it was economically more beneficial for the insurer to pay out the claim than it would be to fix the vehicle. However, the vehicle can be fixed to be roadworthy, and it needs to meet a few requirements to become roadworthy:
- It needs to be re-registered with DVLA before it can hit the road
- The V5C log book is stamped with an “S”
- This can be detected through any vehicle history report
Cat N: Cosmetic Or Mechanical, Not Structural
Category N is the lightest type among the two categories that are repairable. This includes non-structural damage that can include anything from a cracked bumper, electrical problems, a faulty airbag system or engine. In this case, the car frame remains intact.
As opposed to the Cat S car, you don’t have to re-register the Category N car through DVLA before you can put it back to use. You still have to notify your insurance company, and your write-off flag remains permanent.
Should You Buy A Cat S Or Cat N Car
Many people have, mostly since they cost significantly less than the same car with a flawless record. However, proceed with caution, as there are several things that one needs to do prior to any money changing hands:
- Obtain full repair receipts and photos of the car before and after the damage
- Obtain an independent assessment rather than a brief one on your own
- Find out about the record of the car from either DVLA or a reliable HPI check
- Prepare for higher insurance costs, usually 15 to 20 percent more than the cost of an ordinary car
- Major insurance companies tend to refuse to insure a car which is a write-off category S or N
Does A Write Off Category Affect Resale Value
Yes, in fact a lot more. Even though it may be perfectly good after repair, a Cat N car would still end up fetching a lower price compared to one that has no history whatsoever, just because of the sticker effect on people’s purchasing decisions. You can check current scrap car prices in London to see how write-off categories impact valuation. And that’s even more the case with Cat S cars due to the nature of the damage sustained.
What To Do If Your Own Car Gets Written Off
If the insurer informs you that the vehicle is considered a write-off, then you are left with only two choices. One of them is to go ahead with the settlement and let the insurer tow away the car. The second choice would be to take it back from the insurer at a lesser price and then fix it up yourself. However, if the vehicle falls in the category of either Cat A or Cat B, then it is better that you send it off to be scrapped.
Final Thoughts
Cat A, B, S and N are not only about the language of insurance; they give you precise information regarding the extent of damage and determine whether a vehicle still has some life left.
If we talk about cats A and B, then there is no way for such vehicles to go back on the road, but cat S and N keep the option open if the repairs have been made properly. In case you have a damaged car that needs to be written off or want to buy one that has already got into trouble, then it will be wise for you to see the documents before taking any decisions. If you decide to scrap your vehicle, Brits Car Breakers can assist you with the entire process. To find out how much your written-off vehicle is worth, feel free to get in touch with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cat S and Cat N?
Cat S vehicles have structural damage that requires professional repairs and DVLA notification, while Cat N vehicles have non-structural damage such as cosmetic, electrical, or mechanical issues.
Can a Cat S or Cat N car be driven again?
Yes. Both Cat S and Cat N vehicles can return to the road after proper repairs. Cat S vehicles must meet DVLA requirements before being used again.
Can Cat A and Cat B vehicles be repaired?
No. Cat A vehicles must be completely destroyed, while Cat B vehicles can only be dismantled for reusable parts. Their bodyshells cannot legally return to the road.
Does a write-off category affect a car's value?
Yes. Cat S and Cat N cars usually have a lower resale value than similar vehicles with a clean history because the write-off record remains permanently attached to the vehicle.
Should I buy a Cat S or Cat N car?
A Cat S or Cat N car can be a good value if it has been professionally repaired, inspected, and comes with a full repair history and vehicle history check.
What should I do if my car is declared a write-off?
You can accept your insurer’s settlement or retain the vehicle for repairs if eligible. Cat A and Cat B vehicles must be scrapped through an authorised vehicle recycler.