How-To
Cat S vs Cat N: what insurance write-off categories mean
Understand UK insurance write-off categories before you buy or sell a repaired car.
By CarSwipe Team ·
Insurance write-off categories tell you how badly a car was damaged — and whether it was repaired to a safe standard.
Cat N (Non-structural)
Cosmetic or non-structural damage. Cheaper to repair. Often fine value if repaired properly — but get an independent inspection.
Cat S (Structural)
Structural damage was recorded. Must be repaired to a standard and re-registered. Can be good value for enthusiasts who know what they're buying.
Older categories
Cat C and Cat D are older terms — largely replaced by Cat S and Cat N in UK insurance.
On CarSwipe you can filter write-off status — hidden by default so you only see what you're comfortable with.
Full legal and finance implications — article expanding soon.