What Does Cat N Mean? Cat N Cars Explained

What does Cat N mean?

Cat N (Category N) means a car has been written off by an insurer after non-structural damage: damage that did not affect the chassis, the frame or the crumple zones. Typical Cat N damage is to body panels, bumpers, lights, trim, the interior or the electrics, or damage from a minor flood or a theft.

The car was written off because the insurer decided repairing it was not worth it, usually because the repair bill plus the insurer's other costs came close to the car's value. A Cat N car can be repaired and driven on the road again.

Enter the registration in the search box above to start a check. The write-off check in the full report shows any write-off category, the date and, where recorded, the damaged areas.

Cat N and Cat S: the difference

• Cat N: non-structural damage. The car's structure was not damaged.
• Cat S: structural damage, such as a bent chassis or crumple zone, which must be professionally repaired.

Both categories can return to the road. Cat N and Cat S replaced the old Cat D and Cat C in October 2017; the new categories describe the type of damage, the old ones the cost of repair. Cat A and Cat B cars must never return to the road. See all write-off categories explained.

Is it safe to buy a Cat N car?

It can be. Many Cat N cars are sound cars with a lower price, because the damage was cosmetic and the repair was done well. The risk is a cheap repair hiding bigger problems. Before you buy:

• Ask the seller what the damage was, and for photos of it and the repair invoices.
• Look for paint that does not match, uneven panel gaps, overspray on rubber seals and warning lights on the dashboard.
• For a flood-damaged car, check for damp, a musty smell and electrical faults.
• Pay for an independent inspection if you are not sure.

Cat N cars: price and insurance

Price: a Cat N car sells for less than the same car with a clean history, and will do when you sell it. How much less depends on the car, the damage and the repair; the price should reflect the write-off.

Insurance: most insurers cover Cat N cars, sometimes at a higher price. You must tell your insurer the car is a Cat N write-off, or a claim could be refused. Get a quote before you buy.

How to find out if a car is Cat N

Ask the seller, but check for yourself: some sellers do not say, and some do not know. Write-off records are held on the insurance industry's register and are not shown on the free DVLA record or the MOT history. A written-off car check shows the category and date, along with outstanding finance and stolen records, in the full report.

Cat N FAQs

What does Cat N mean on a car?
It was written off by an insurer after non-structural damage, and can be repaired and driven again.

Is Cat N worse than Cat S?
No. Cat S means the structure was damaged; Cat N means it was not. Cat N is generally the less serious category, but the repair quality matters more than the letter.

Does a Cat N car need to be re-registered?
No. It keeps its registration and can go back on the road once repaired and roadworthy, with a valid MOT, tax and insurance.

Does Cat N show on the V5C?
Not always. A history check is the reliable way to find out.

Can a Cat N car pass an MOT?
Yes, if it has been repaired to a roadworthy standard. An MOT does not check whether a car was written off.

Does a Cat N record ever come off?
No. The write-off stays on the car's record for life.