Category A, B, S and N Write-Offs Explained
Not every write-off is scrap. The category decides whether the vehicle can ever go back on the road, and what it is worth afterwards.
A and B are structural and never return to the road. A must be crushed entirely; B can have parts salvaged but the body shell is destroyed.
S and N can legally be repaired and driven again. S means repairable structural damage; N means non-structural, often electrical or cosmetic, where repair simply costs more than the car is worth.
The four categories
Category A - scrap
The entire vehicle must be crushed. Nothing may be salvaged, not even parts.
Category B - break for parts
The body shell must be destroyed, but usable parts can be removed and sold. Never returns to the road.
Category S - structural
Structural damage that could be repaired. Repairable and legally driveable again once properly fixed.
And Category N
Category N is non-structural damage - electrical faults, cosmetic damage, or something where the parts and labour simply exceed the vehicle’s value.
An N vehicle can be repaired and driven. It is the least severe category, but the marker still stays on the vehicle’s history permanently.
A write-off marker never goes away. Even a properly repaired Category N vehicle carries it for life, and it typically reduces resale value by a meaningful margin. Insurers may also charge more, or decline cover.
Told your car is a write-off?
Send us the category and the offer. If the valuation is low we will tell you.
Keeping the vehicle
For S and N vehicles you can sometimes keep the car by agreeing a reduced settlement, so the insurer does not take the salvage.
Think carefully. You then own a vehicle that needs repairing at your cost, carries a permanent marker, and is worth less than an equivalent car without one. It makes sense sometimes, but not as often as people assume.
Common questions
Yes, once it has been properly repaired and is roadworthy. Category S vehicles must be re-registered with the DVLA before returning to the road.
No. It stays on the vehicle’s history permanently and shows on any HPI-style check.
It varies by category and vehicle, but a meaningful reduction against an equivalent car with clean history is normal. Buyers are cautious and lenders sometimes refuse finance.
Usually only for S and N, by agreeing a reduced settlement. A and B vehicles must be surrendered.
The engineer who inspects the vehicle, based on the type and extent of the damage against the vehicle’s value.
Terms and conditions apply to all services described on this page. Free recovery, storage and replacement vehicles are provided on the basis that the charges are recovered from the at-fault party’s insurer. We will explain the terms in plain English before anything is arranged.
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