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In the UK, Cat A and Cat B vehicles are not repairable for return to the road: a Cat A vehicle must be crushed in its entirety, while a Cat B vehicle’s body shell must be crushed. Cat S and Cat N vehicles may be repaired and used again if they are made roadworthy. The distinction between S and N is structural damage: Cat S means structural damage; Cat N means non-structural damage.
What do Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N mean?
An insurer decides whether a vehicle is a write-off and assigns a category based on the salvage’s repairability and, for repairable vehicles, the type of damage. The letters are not a simple scale from least to most damage.
| Category | Meaning | What happens to the vehicle | Can it return to the road? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat A | Non-repairable | The entire vehicle must be crushed. | No. |
| Cat B | Non-repairable | The body shell must be crushed. Salvageable parts may be recovered. | No. |
| Cat S | Repairable; structural damage | It may be repaired. | Yes, if repaired to a roadworthy condition. |
| Cat N | Repairable; non-structural damage | It may be repaired. | Yes, if repaired to a roadworthy condition. |
The current categories and their outcomes are set out in GOV.UK’s insurance write-off guidance. The ABI Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motorised Vehicle Salvage, dated 28 May 2025, distinguishes structural from non-structural damage for S and N. Structural damage includes structural damage to a high-voltage battery.
Can a written-off vehicle go back on the road?
Cat A and Cat B
No. Cat A must be crushed in its entirety; Cat B’s shell must be crushed even if parts are salvaged. If an A or B vehicle has been issued a Certificate of Destruction, DVLA says it cannot be reinstated or put back on the road. See DVLA guidance on rebuilt vehicles.
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Cat S and Cat N
They may return to use after appropriate repairs, but the category itself does not confirm that a particular car is safe or roadworthy. DVLA recommends presenting a repaired vehicle for an MOT as a check of the repair work. An MOT is a roadworthiness check; it is not a substitute for investigating the quality or completeness of repairs. Ask your insurer whether the vehicle’s repair or changes affect cover.
What happens to the log book?
V5C handling depends on the category and whether you keep the vehicle:
- Cat A or B: the ABI code says no V5C is reissued.
- Cat S you retain: GOV.UK says to send the complete V5C to your insurer and apply for a free duplicate using form V62. The category is recorded in the log book.
- Cat N you retain: you may keep the V5C. The ABI code says a V5C is issued without a category literal.
See GOV.UK’s instructions for keeping a written-off vehicle.
What must you tell DVLA?
If your insurer has written off and scrapped your vehicle, you must tell DVLA. GOV.UK says failing to notify DVLA can result in a £1,000 fine. The online notification process asks for the insurer’s name and postcode, the registration number and an 11-digit reference from the yellow section of the V5C. Check the live DVLA service for the current process and required details.
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A write-off category and scrapping are not interchangeable. Environment Agency guidance treats Cat A and B vehicles as waste in the relevant circumstances, while Cat S and N vehicles are not waste unless the decision is to scrap rather than sell them for repair. A repairable write-off can therefore be retained or sold for repair; it has not necessarily been scrapped.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to assess a specific Cat S or Cat N car
Use evidence about the individual vehicle rather than assuming its category alone establishes safety, value or insurability. Check:
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- The recorded category: confirm the vehicle’s recorded status and compare it with the seller’s description.
- The damage and repair: understand what was damaged, whether any structural components were involved, and what work was completed.
- Roadworthiness evidence: consider the MOT and seek an appropriately qualified assessment of repair quality where needed.
- The V5C: check that the document and recorded details are consistent with the category and the vehicle.
- Insurance: ask your prospective insurer whether it will cover that particular vehicle on the terms you need.
GOV.UK advises checking with your insurer about cover, but the category alone does not establish a premium, guarantee that cover will be available, or predict resale value.
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How to compare the categories
- Start with whether the vehicle can be repaired for road use. Cat A and B cannot return to the road; Cat S and N may do so after suitable repair.
- For a repairable vehicle, identify the damage distinction. Cat S is structural; Cat N is non-structural.
- For an individual car, verify its repairs and roadworthiness. A category is a classification, not a pass or fail assessment of the completed work.
- Check the paperwork and insurance terms. V5C handling differs by category, and cover should be confirmed with the insurer.
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