Updated 22 October 2026.
Cat D means a car was written off by an insurer before October 2017, because repairing it would have cost less than its value but still wasn’t worth it to the insurer. Cat D was replaced by Cat N in October 2017, but cars written off before then keep their Cat D marker, so you’ll still see it on used cars. This guide explains what Cat D meant, how it differs from Cat N, and what to check before you buy one.
Cat D at a glance
- What it means: repairable, but written off by the insurer on cost grounds.
- When: used until 30 September 2017. From 1 October 2017, Cat S and Cat N replaced Cat C and Cat D.
- Structural damage? Possibly. Cat D was based on cost, not the type of damage, so it doesn’t tell you either way.
- Can it be driven? Yes, if repaired to a roadworthy condition.
- How to check: a full car history check shows whether a car has been written off, in which category, and when.
What Cat C and Cat D meant
Before October 2017, repairable write-offs were sorted by cost:
| Old category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cat A | Scrap: the car must be crushed. |
| Cat B | Break for parts: the body shell must be crushed. |
| Cat C | Repairable, but the repair would cost more than the car was worth. |
| Cat D | Repairable, and the repair would cost less than the car was worth, but the insurer chose not to repair it. |
The repair cost counted things like a hire car and the insurer’s own costs, which is why a low-value car with fairly minor damage could still be written off.
Is Cat D the same as Cat N?
Not quite. Cat N replaced Cat D in October 2017, but the two measure different things:
- Cat D was decided by cost. It didn’t record whether the damage was structural, so a Cat D car could have had structural damage.
- Cat N is decided by the type of damage: it means the damage wasn’t structural. Our Cat N guide explains it in full.
- Cat S means structural damage. Cat S and Cat N replaced Cat C and Cat D together.
So treat a Cat D car more like an unknown than a guaranteed Cat N: find out what the damage actually was.
Should you buy a Cat D car?
A Cat D car can be good value if it was repaired properly, and it’s usually cheaper than the same car without a write-off. But because Cat D doesn’t tell you whether the structure was damaged, check carefully:
- Confirm the category and date with a history check.
- Ask what the damage was, and for photos and repair invoices.
- Have it inspected by an independent engineer, ideally one who can check the body and alignment.
- Check the airbag and warning lights, and that the car drives straight.
- Check the price reflects the write-off, and remember it will be harder to sell.
Insuring a Cat D car
Most insurers will cover a repaired Cat D car, though some won’t and others charge more. They may ask for a recent MOT or an engineer’s report. Always tell your insurer the car is a write-off.
What happened to the old VIC check?
Cat C cars used to need a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) before going back on the road, to stop stolen cars being disguised as repaired write-offs. The VIC was abolished in October 2015. Today no special inspection is needed for any repairable write-off, so the checks are down to the buyer.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cat D mean on a car?
It means the car was written off by an insurer before October 2017 because repairing it, while cheaper than its value, wasn’t economical for the insurer.
Is Cat D worse than Cat N?
Not necessarily, but it tells you less. Cat N means the damage wasn’t structural; Cat D could have included structural damage.
Does a Cat D marker ever go away?
No. The write-off stays on the car’s record and shows on a history check.
Can you still get Cat D cars?
Yes. Cars written off before October 2017 keep the Cat D marker, so you’ll see older Cat D cars for sale.
Is a Cat D car safe?
It can be, if the repair was done properly. Because Cat D doesn’t say whether the structure was damaged, have it inspected before you buy.
- GOV.UK: scrapped and written-off vehicles
- Cat N car meaning
- Cat S vs Cat N and repaired write-offs
- What does written off mean?
Run a full car history check before you buy: it shows whether a car has been written off, and in which category, as well as whether it’s been stolen or still has finance owing. See Silver and Gold check prices.
Check whether a car has been written off with our Cat N check or Cat S check.
One thought on “Cat D Car Meaning: What It Means and How It Differs From Cat N”