Cat S vs Cat N explained

Cat S and Cat N are insurance write-off categories used in the UK. They describe how an insurer classified damage after a claim. They are not automatically included in free DVLA/DVSA vehicle lookup data shown by AutoViewer today.

Cat S (structural)

Cat S generally means the insurer decided the vehicle had structural damage and was uneconomical to repair at the time of the claim. A Cat S car can return to the road after professional repair, but buyers should be cautious about repair quality, future insurance and resale value.

Cat N (non-structural)

Cat N generally means the damage was not considered structural, but the insurer still wrote the vehicle off - often because repair costs exceeded the car’s value. Non-structural does not automatically mean minor. Electrical, safety-system or cosmetic repairs can still be significant.

What AutoViewer shows today

AutoViewer’s free checks focus on official-source vehicle information such as MOT history, tax/SORN and available mileage readings. Write-off category, outstanding finance and stolen status require commercial provenance data and are intentionally separated in our architecture for a future provider integration.

Buyer takeaways

• Ask the seller directly about previous insurance claims.
• Consider a paid full history check before large purchases.
• Continue with a registration check for MOT, tax and mileage context.
• Use our buying checklist before you transfer funds.