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Category N means non-structural damage declared by an insurer

Cat N Check

Category N write-off history means an insurer declared the car a total loss due to non-structural damage. Airbag deployment, flood damage and electrical faults are common causes. The car can be resold legally, but history affects value and insurance.

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Non-structural
Cat N = no chassis or body-in-white damage
£4.99 + VAT
Write-off check included in full report
15-30% lower value
Typical impact of Cat N on resale price

What your results look like

Free data loads in seconds. The full check unlocks within 30 seconds of payment.

SAMPLE
AB12 CDE
VW Golf 1.5 TSI
2019 · Silver · 1.5L Petrol
Always FreeFREE
✓
MOT History6 tests · Last: PASS Jun 2025 · Advisory: brake pad wear noted
✓Mileage Records48,203 miles · Consistent year-on-year
✓Tax StatusTaxed · Valid until Jan 2027
✓Vehicle Specs1.5L Petrol · 128g/km CO2 · Euro 6
Full History Report£4.99 + VAT
✓Outstanding Finance
CLEAR
✓Stolen Check
CLEAR
✓Write-off History
CLEAR
✓Mileage Verification
CONSISTENT

Sample report. Registration, vehicle details and results are illustrative only.

Common causes of Category N write-offs

Category N covers a wide range of damage types. The cause matters because it determines what ongoing risks you are taking on as a buyer.

Airbag deployment
Replacing airbags, sensors and the SRS control module is expensive. Insurers often write off vehicles when repair costs exceed 50 to 60 percent of market value. Key question: were all airbag components properly replaced and tested?
Flood damage
Water ingress into the cabin or engine bay causes extensive electrical damage. Symptoms may take months to appear. Corrosion to wiring looms, control modules and connectors can cause unpredictable failures long after the initial incident.
Electrical system failure
Modern vehicles have extensive electrical architecture. A serious fault affecting multiple systems can be written off even with no visible body damage. Diagnosis and repair of deep electrical faults is labour-intensive and expensive.
Cosmetic damage exceeding repair threshold
On older or lower-value cars, repair costs for bodywork, glass or trim can exceed the insurer's threshold even without structural damage. These Cat N vehicles may be in otherwise excellent mechanical condition.

Comparing Cat N vs Cat S? See: Cat S check for structural damage detail.

What Cat N history means for buyers

Cat N is the lower-risk write-off category, but it still carries real financial and practical consequences.

Hidden electrical faults
Flood damage and airbag deployment can cause persistent electrical issues that only appear later. Poor repairs may leave modules, wiring or sensors in compromised condition.
Insurance declaration
Every future insurance application must declare Cat N status. Omitting it invalidates the policy. Undeclared write-off history is one of the most common grounds for claim refusal.
Resale value discount
Cat N history follows the vehicle permanently on the DVLA and insurance registers. Every future buyer will see it and negotiate down. You pay full price and sell at a discount.
Airbag replacement
If the write-off was triggered by airbag deployment, verify that all airbags, sensors and the SRS module were properly replaced. Incorrectly replaced airbag systems may not deploy correctly.

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How we source our data

MOTCO accesses the same underlying databases as HPI, Total Car Check and CarVertical. No vehicle history provider has exclusive access to these sources.

DVSAUK Government

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency publishes full MOT test records from 2005 via a government API. Every test result, advisory, failure reason and odometer reading is sourced directly from the national testing database with no third-party processing.

Police National DatabaseLaw Enforcement

Operated by the National Police Chiefs' Council. All UK police forces submit stolen vehicle records here. A check against the PND is the authoritative source for stolen status used by all major vehicle history providers in the UK.

Finance and insurance registersIndustry

Outstanding finance data comes from UK lender databases covering HP, PCP and lease agreements. Write-off data comes from the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) and the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE). These are the same registers used by HPI, Total Car Check and CarVertical.

How it works

1
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2
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3
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Full write-off history (Cat A, B, S and N), stolen check, outstanding finance and mileage verification for £4.99 + VAT.

If the check finds Category N history

Do not complete the purchase until you have worked through these steps.

1
Ask the seller what caused the write-off
The cause matters. Airbag deployment, flood damage, electrical failure and cosmetic damage carry different ongoing risks. A legitimate seller will know without hesitation.
2
Request all repair receipts for the specific damage type
For airbag write-offs: replacement certificates and SRS control module reset confirmation. For flood damage: electrical inspection report and wiring loom assessment from a qualified auto electrician.
3
For suspected flood damage: get an independent electrical inspection
Water damage to wiring looms and control modules causes intermittent faults that appear months later. This is not visible in an MOT and is often not apparent at viewing.
4
Negotiate 15 to 30 percent below the clean equivalent price
Category N status is permanent and reduces resale value at every future transaction. Factor in the full discount before committing.
5
Declare Cat N status on every future insurance application
Write-off history must be declared regardless of how long ago the write-off occurred. Failing to declare it invalidates any future policy claim.

Related guides

Common questions

What is a Category N car?
Category N (previously Category D) means an insurer declared the vehicle a total loss due to non-structural damage. The chassis and body-in-white were not damaged. Typical causes include airbag deployment, electrical system damage, flood damage, or cosmetic damage that exceeded the repair cost threshold. Category N cars can be legally repaired and returned to the road.
Is a Cat N car safe to drive?
Category N vehicles have no structural damage by definition, which means the chassis and crumple zones are intact. The safety risk is lower than with Category S. However, the quality of repair still matters. Electrical faults, airbag replacements and flood damage can create ongoing issues if not properly addressed.
Can you insure a Cat N car?
Yes. Most mainstream insurers will cover Category N vehicles, though you must declare the write-off history when applying. Some insurers charge a premium loading for Cat N history. Failing to declare the write-off status will invalidate your policy regardless of category.
How much does Cat N reduce a car's value?
Category N typically reduces market value by 15 to 30 percent compared to a clean equivalent. The exact reduction depends on the age, make, model and the nature of the original damage. Future buyers will always discount for write-off history, so factor this into what you are willing to pay.
What is the difference between Cat N and Cat S?
Category N has non-structural damage only. Category S has structural damage to the chassis, crumple zones or body-in-white. Both can be legally resold. Cat S carries a higher risk profile due to potential impact on crash protection. Both must be declared on insurance applications.
How much does the Cat N check cost?
The Category N check is included in the £4.99 + VAT full history report. This covers all four insurance categories (A, B, S, N), outstanding finance, stolen check and mileage verification. MOT history and mileage records are always free.

Check before you buy

Full write-off history (Cat A, B, S, N), stolen check, outstanding finance and mileage verification. £4.99 + VAT.

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Write-off category data sourced from the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) and Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE). MOT data from DVSA (UK Government). Reviewed by the MOTCO vehicle data team. Updated June 2026.