Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences

Structural versus non-structural write-offs compared: cost to return to the road, resale discounts, insurance, finance and which one to buy first.

BASICS · 3 min read

The one-line version

S is Structural, N is Non-structural. An S must be re-registered with the DVLA before it drives again. An N doesn't need any of that.

Cost to return to the road

Cat S: repair, DVLA re-registration, and usually an inspection to satisfy insurers. Cat N: repair only. The difference is often £300 to £800 plus waiting time.

Resale discount

A rebuilt Cat N typically sells at 75 to 85 percent of clean retail. A rebuilt Cat S sits at 60 to 75 percent. The Analyzer's rebuilt-resale figure accounts for the category when it finds sold comps, but always sanity-check that it found the right category.

Insurance and finance

Both markers must be declared forever. Most lenders won't finance a Cat S for your buyer, which shrinks the buyer pool. That is one more reason S discounts run deeper.

Which to buy

Beginners should start with N. If you have a bodyshop relationship or your own jig, S can be far more profitable, because the auction discount often overshoots the true repair cost on light structural hits. That gap is where the A-grade deals hide.

Confirm the write-off category, finance and stolen status, 5 credits