What Category S and Category N Mean
If your car has been declared a write-off by an insurance company, it will carry one of four category markers. The two you are most likely to encounter on repairable vehicles are Category S and Category N. These replaced the older Category C and Category D classifications in October 2017 when the Association of British Insurers updated its coding system.
The change was made to give buyers and sellers clearer information about the type of damage a vehicle had sustained. Under the old system, Categories C and D were based primarily on the cost of repair relative to the vehicle’s value. A car could be written off as a Category C simply because repair costs exceeded a certain percentage of its market value, even if the damage was minor. The new system focuses on what was actually damaged rather than how much it costs to fix.
- Category S (Structural): The vehicle has sustained structural damage. This includes damage to the chassis, frame, crumple zones, or any load-bearing component. A Category S car can be repaired and returned to the road, but the nature of the damage means it requires professional assessment before it is considered roadworthy again.
- Category N (Non-structural): The vehicle has not suffered any structural damage. The write-off may have been caused by cosmetic damage, electrical faults, engine problems, or other non-structural issues. Category N vehicles can also be repaired and returned to the road.
Both categories remain on the vehicle’s record permanently. Once a car has been marked as Category S or Category N, that marker stays on the V5C and appears on any HPI or vehicle history check for the life of the vehicle. It does not expire or get removed after repairs are completed.
How Insurance Write-Offs Actually Work
A common misconception is that a written-off car must be beyond repair. That is not the case. An insurance company declares a vehicle a write-off when the cost of repair, combined with other factors like the vehicle’s pre-accident value and the availability of parts, makes it uneconomical for the insurer to fix. This is a financial decision, not a safety one.
For example, a five-year-old hatchback worth four thousand pounds that sustains three thousand pounds of panel damage and paintwork might be written off by the insurer. The car could be perfectly safe to drive once repaired, but the insurer would rather pay out the market value and sell the salvage than spend three thousand on body shop bills. This is why many Category S and Category N vehicles are structurally sound and entirely repairable — they were written off because of the economics, not because they are dangerous.
When an insurer writes off your vehicle, they will pay you the pre-accident market value minus your excess. Ownership of the vehicle then passes to the insurer, who sells it at salvage auction. However, you can choose to buy the vehicle back from your insurer if you want to keep it. The settlement figure will be reduced by the salvage value, and the car will carry its write-off category marker from that point forward.
The Difference Between Category S and Category N
The distinction matters because it tells potential buyers and future insurers exactly what type of damage occurred.
Category S — structural damage
Structural damage means the vehicle’s core framework has been compromised. This could range from a bent chassis rail or damaged suspension mounting point to crumple zone deformation after a front or rear impact. The repair work required is typically more involved and must be carried out to the manufacturer’s specifications. Incorrect structural repair can affect the vehicle’s crash safety, handling, and alignment.
A Category S car must pass a Vehicle Identity Check before it can be re-registered with the DVLA and returned to the road. This inspection verifies that the vehicle is what it claims to be and has not been built from parts of multiple stolen vehicles. It does not, however, certify that the repairs have been carried out to a roadworthy standard — that responsibility falls to the person carrying out the repairs and the MOT tester.
Category N — non-structural damage
Non-structural damage covers everything that is not part of the vehicle’s load-bearing structure. This includes body panels, bumpers, lights, interior trim, electrical systems, the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain components. A car could receive a Category N marker because of hail damage across every panel, a flooded interior that destroyed the electrics, or a seized engine that costs more to replace than the car is worth.
Category N vehicles do not require a Vehicle Identity Check before being re-registered. They can go straight back on the road once repaired, provided they pass a standard MOT test.
Can You Sell a Cat S or Cat N Car
Yes, you can sell a Category S or Category N car in the UK. There is no legal restriction preventing the sale of a previously written-off vehicle. Thousands of write-off vehicles change hands every month through private sales, dealerships, auctions, and car buying services.
The key legal requirement is disclosure. You must declare the vehicle’s write-off status to any buyer. This information appears on the V5C logbook and will be flagged by any standard vehicle history check, so attempting to hide it is both pointless and potentially fraudulent. Being upfront about the category marker, the nature of the original damage, and the repairs that have been carried out will always lead to a smoother transaction.
If your vehicle has not been repaired and you simply want to sell it in its damaged state, that is also perfectly legal. Many buyers — including ourselves — purchase Category S and Category N vehicles that have not been repaired. We buy vehicles in all conditions, including unrepaired write-offs, and we assess each one individually rather than applying blanket reductions based on the category alone.
How Write-Off Categories Affect Value
There is no getting around the fact that a write-off marker reduces a vehicle’s market value. The extent of the reduction depends on several factors:
- The category itself: Category S vehicles typically lose more value than Category N because structural damage is perceived as more serious by buyers and insurers. A Category N write-off might retain seventy to eighty per cent of its equivalent clean value, while a Category S vehicle might sit at fifty-five to seventy-five per cent, depending on the repair quality and the vehicle itself.
- The quality of repairs: A professionally repaired vehicle with documented evidence of the work carried out will command a higher price than one repaired to an unknown standard. Invoices, photographs, and alignment reports all add confidence for the next buyer.
- The age and value of the vehicle: Write-off markers have a proportionally larger impact on cheaper vehicles. A Category N marker on a vehicle worth two thousand pounds might knock off four or five hundred, while the same marker on a vehicle worth twenty thousand might reduce its value by two to three thousand. The percentage loss tends to be similar, but the psychology of buyers differs across price brackets.
- The type of vehicle: Popular, mainstream models with readily available parts are easier to sell as repaired write-offs than specialist or luxury vehicles. A written-off Ford Fiesta will find a buyer more quickly than a written-off Audi RS model, because the Fiesta buyer is more likely to be price-driven and less concerned about the vehicle’s history.
DVLA Re-registration and the V5C
When an insurance company writes off a vehicle, the DVLA is notified. The V5C logbook is updated to reflect the write-off category, and this information becomes part of the vehicle’s permanent record.
For Category S vehicles, the registration is cancelled. Before the car can return to the road, it must pass a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) — or the equivalent inspection under the current DVLA process — and be re-registered. The VIC confirms the vehicle’s identity by checking its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) against DVLA records and verifying that the vehicle has not been assembled from stolen parts. Once the check is passed, the DVLA issues a new V5C with the write-off category noted.
For Category N vehicles, the process is simpler. The registration is not cancelled, and no VIC is required. The V5C is updated to show the write-off marker, but the vehicle can be repaired and returned to the road with a valid MOT. You do not need to re-register it separately.
If you are selling a write-off vehicle, make sure the V5C is in your name and the write-off marker is correctly recorded. Any discrepancy between the V5C and a vehicle history check will raise questions from buyers. Having everything in order from the start avoids complications during the sale. For a full list of what you need, see our guide to the documents needed to sell a car.
Should You Repair Before Selling
This is one of the most common questions owners of write-off vehicles ask, and the answer depends on your situation.
When repairing first might make sense
If the damage is minor and you can have the repairs done affordably — perhaps you have trade contacts or can do some of the work yourself — the repaired vehicle will attract a wider pool of buyers and command a higher price. This is particularly true for Category N vehicles with cosmetic damage, where a respray or panel replacement could significantly increase the sale price relative to the repair cost.
When selling as-is makes more sense
If the repair costs are significant, if you do not have confidence in the quality of available repair work, or if you simply want the vehicle gone without further investment, selling in its current condition is often the better choice. Professional buyers like ourselves have established repair networks and can often carry out work at a fraction of the cost a retail customer would pay. This means the difference between what you would spend on repairs and the additional value they add may not be in your favour.
We regularly buy unrepaired Category S and Category N vehicles. Each one is assessed on its individual merits — the make, model, mileage, the nature and extent of the damage, and the current market for that vehicle. Get a free valuation to see what your write-off is worth without spending anything on repairs first.
Selling a Write-Off Privately vs Using a Buying Service
Selling a write-off vehicle privately is possible, but it comes with additional challenges compared to selling a clean vehicle.
Private buyers are understandably cautious about write-offs. Many will walk away the moment they see the category marker on a history check, regardless of the repair quality. Those who remain will negotiate aggressively on price. You will likely field more questions, deal with more scepticism, and wait longer for a sale. The pool of willing buyers is simply smaller.
You also carry the legal responsibility of full disclosure. If a buyer later discovers an issue related to the original write-off damage that was not declared, you could face a claim under the Consumer Rights Act. This creates a layer of risk that does not exist when selling to a professional buyer.
A car buying service that regularly handles write-offs eliminates these problems. We understand what these vehicles are worth, we have the facilities to assess and process them, and we do not penalise sellers for being honest about the vehicle’s history. The process is straightforward: you provide the details, we make an offer, and if you accept, we collect the vehicle and pay you the same day. You can see how our process works step by step.
Common Myths About Write-Off Vehicles
Myth: a write-off car is always unsafe to drive
Not true. Category S and Category N vehicles can be fully repaired and returned to roadworthy condition. A write-off is a financial classification by an insurance company, not a safety condemnation. Once properly repaired and MOT tested, there is no reason a write-off vehicle cannot be driven safely for years.
Myth: you cannot insure a write-off vehicle
You can. All major insurers will cover Category S and Category N vehicles. However, premiums may be higher because the vehicle’s market value is lower and some insurers consider write-offs to carry a higher risk profile. You may also find that the agreed value for a future claim is lower than for an equivalent vehicle without a write-off marker. Shopping around and using specialist insurers can help you find competitive cover.
Myth: write-off markers can be removed from the vehicle’s record
They cannot. Once a vehicle is categorised as a write-off, that status is permanent. No amount of repair work, no passage of time, and no application to the DVLA will remove the marker. It will appear on every vehicle history check and every future V5C for as long as the vehicle exists.
Myth: Category N is always less serious than Category S
Not necessarily. Category N means no structural damage, but the actual repair cost can be higher in some cases. An engine replacement or a complete electrical system rebuild on a modern vehicle can be extremely expensive, and both fall under Category N. The categories describe the type of damage, not the severity or cost. A minor structural scuff might be Category S while a catastrophic engine failure is Category N.
Myth: dealers will not touch write-off vehicles
Many franchised dealers avoid them, but independent dealers, specialist traders, and car buying services handle write-offs routinely. There is an active and established market for these vehicles, and finding a buyer is not the problem many owners assume it will be.
Impact on Future Insurance
Owning or selling a vehicle with a write-off category has some practical implications for insurance that are worth understanding.
If you keep and insure a repaired write-off, expect your premiums to be somewhat higher than for an identical vehicle without a marker. Insurers consider the reduced market value, the potential for hidden damage that might emerge later, and the statistical risk profile of previously damaged vehicles. That said, the difference is often modest rather than dramatic, and many owners of repaired write-offs find perfectly affordable cover.
If your own vehicle is written off by your insurer and you want to buy it back, your insurer will deduct the salvage value from your payout. You can then repair and use the vehicle, but you will need to find a new insurer willing to cover it — your existing insurer may decline to continue cover on a vehicle they have already written off.
For buyers of your vehicle, the write-off marker means their insurer will base the agreed value on comparable write-off vehicles rather than clean equivalents. In the event of a future total loss claim, the payout will reflect the vehicle’s reduced market value.
What Car and Van Buyer Pays for Write-Offs
We buy Category S and Category N vehicles regularly, and we do not take the approach of applying a flat percentage discount because of the write-off marker. Every vehicle is different, and we assess each one on its own merits.
A Category N vehicle with minor cosmetic damage and low mileage will be valued very differently from a Category S vehicle with extensive structural repair needs. The make, model, age, mileage, current condition, and local market demand all factor into our valuation. We also consider whether the vehicle has been repaired and, if so, the standard of the repair work.
This individual approach means we often pay more than sellers expect. If you have been quoted scrap value or a heavily discounted price elsewhere, it is worth getting our valuation for comparison. We buy damaged cars of all kinds, and write-offs are a normal part of our daily business.
There are no fees, no obligation, and no pressure. Get your free valuation to find out exactly what your vehicle is worth today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a Category S car that has not been repaired?
Yes. You can sell an unrepaired Category S vehicle to a private buyer, a dealer, or a car buying service. We buy unrepaired write-offs regularly and can collect the vehicle from your location at no charge. The buyer takes on the responsibility of repair, VIC inspection, and re-registration.
Do I need to tell the buyer my car is a write-off?
Yes, you are legally required to disclose the write-off status. The information is recorded on the V5C and will appear on any vehicle history check, so attempting to conceal it would be both futile and potentially fraudulent. Honesty protects you from future legal claims.
How do I check if my car is a Category S or Category N write-off?
The write-off category is recorded on the V5C logbook. You can also check through the DVLA vehicle enquiry service online, or by running a vehicle history check through providers like HPI, Experian AutoCheck, or the AA. These services will show whether the vehicle has been recorded as an insurance write-off and which category applies.
Is a Category S car worth less than a Category N?
Generally, yes. Structural damage is considered more serious by both buyers and insurers, so Category S vehicles tend to carry a larger value reduction. However, the actual difference depends on the specific vehicle and the nature of the damage. A minor Category S issue may have less practical impact than a major Category N fault like engine failure.
Can I get finance on a Category S or Category N vehicle?
Some lenders will offer finance on repaired write-off vehicles, but options are more limited than for clean vehicles. The lender will assess the vehicle individually, and the loan-to-value ratio may be less favourable. If you are selling a write-off vehicle that is currently on finance, you will need a settlement figure from your lender before you can complete the sale. See our FAQ page for more information on selling vehicles with finance.
Will my car fail its MOT because it is a write-off?
No. The MOT test assesses the vehicle’s current roadworthiness, not its history. A properly repaired write-off vehicle will pass an MOT on the same basis as any other vehicle. The MOT tester checks brakes, lights, emissions, suspension, steering, and bodywork condition — if everything meets the standard, the vehicle passes regardless of its write-off status.
How long does it take to sell a write-off vehicle to Car and Van Buyer?
The process is fast. You can get a valuation online in minutes. If you accept our offer, we arrange collection at a time that suits you — often within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Payment is made by bank transfer on the day of collection. There is no need to advertise, arrange viewings, or wait for a buyer.
Ready to Sell Your Write-Off Vehicle?
Whether your car is Category S, Category N, repaired or unrepaired, we are interested. We buy write-off vehicles every day across the UK, and we pay based on what each vehicle is actually worth — not on a formula that penalises you for the category marker alone.
Enter your registration number on our free valuation page to get a no-obligation offer. No fees, free collection, and same-day payment by bank transfer. It takes less than sixty seconds to find out what your vehicle is worth.
