New to the world of salvage auctions? Or maybe you’re confused about the different vehicle categories and what they mean?
Insurance and salvage categories are easy to understand in theory, but the reality is usually more complex. Not all Cat Ns were created equally. A 2009 Ford Focus with a broken rear bumper needs to be treated differently than a 2018 Audi A3 with steering problems. Even though they might both be Cat N, the expertise and repairs needed to get them back on the road could be very different.
What do salvage categories and insurance categories mean?
If you’ve spent any time at all browsing a salvage auction, you might be wondering what it really means when a vehicle is listed as Cat N, Cat S or Cat X. Put simply, these categories indicate that the car has been in an accident or incident. Upon inspection, the insurer deemed the cost to repair the damage too expensive when compared to the car’s overall value.
Usually, an insurer will write off a vehicle if the cost of repair exceeds 70% of the value of the car. So in some cases, what seems like even minor damage to a vehicle can result in a write off. Once the car is written off, a vehicle assessor categorises the car depending on the severity of the damage.
These categories are A, B, S and N. They replaced the old A, B, C and D categories in 2017 after a review by the Association of British Insurers. Keep reading to learn what each of them mean, which ones you’ll find on our auctions, and which are often the most sought-after categories for repair and resell projects.
Category A – ‘Scrap’ vehicles
Category A write-offs are vehicles that have suffered extensive structural damage, with no chance of repair. Typical examples include flood, fire or extensive accident damage. If a vehicle falls into Category A the entire vehicle – including parts – must be recycled at an Authorised Treatment Facility. Once destroyed, the vehicle is issued with a certificate of destruction to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
You won’t find Category A vehicles on the SYNETIQ Auction. But you might see them being recycled on our Instagram and TikTok pages.
Category B – ‘Break’ vehicles
Category B vehicles have suffered severe damage to the point that it becomes uneconomical to repair. They have severe chassis and/or structural damage and are not suitable for repair or resale.
Although they have serious damage, unlike category A cars, only the shell needs to be destroyed. That means any salvageable parts can be dismantled, cleaned and repurposed into green parts to repair other vehicles.
You can find parts from these vehicles on our online shop and eBay store to make repairs.
Category S (formerly Category C) – ‘Structurally damaged repairable’ vehicles
Category S vehicles have sustained structural damage. This could include a bent or twisted chassis due to heavy impact, or a crumple zone that has collapsed in a crash.
A vehicle in this category can be repaired back to roadworthy condition to be driven again however, the original logbook will be destroyed, and the new owner will need to apply for a replacement logbook (V5C) before the vehicle can be legally used on the road again.
These vehicles need to be professionally repaired, so bear in mind that the expense of doing this can sometimes outweigh the total value of the car. Many independent mechanics and garage owners – who have the tools and mechanical knowledge to repair the car themselves – choose this option to minimise labour costs.
Browse Category S salvage vehicles on the SYNETIQ Auction.
Category N (formerly Category D) – ‘Non-structurally damaged repairable’ vehicles
Vehicles graded as Category N have suffered non-structural damage that is repairable. Typical examples range from scrapes from a wall across a body panel, or damage to the vehicle’s brakes. This is important – although lots of people consider Cat N to denote cosmetic detail, there may be safety-critical parts that need replacing.
Since Category N write-offs have suffered non-structural damage, they don’t need to pass an inspection or be re-registered before they return to the road.
Browse Category N salvage vehicles on the SYNETIQ Auction.
Category X
Category X is an unofficial classification used to describe vehicles that have been subject to an insurance claim, but often sustained minimal to no damage. Often this is because the vehicle has been stolen and the insurer has settled payment with the owner. If the vehicle is recovered, it becomes the property of the insurance company and resold.
Category X vehicles are also used to denote unrecorded damage, so no damage will be detailed on the V5C or on the Hire Purchase Inspection (HPI), making them one of the most desirable salvage categories.
Browse Category X salvage vehicles on the SYNETIQ Auction.
Getting started with salvage
If you’re looking to repair and resell, online salvage auctions are a great place to start. SYNETIQ Auction offers great potential for big savings on write-offs, so as long as you do your research, thoroughly inspect photographs and read damage descriptions, you could repair yourself a nice vehicle.
Category N and X vehicles in particular are popular choices for specialists searching for repair and resell projects because of the minor damage they have sustained, and the relatively lower repair costs compared to Category S vehicles.
Competition for these categories is often fierce. So you don’t miss out, it’s important you know your way around the auction platform before you bid. SYNETIQ Auction makes bidding on salvage vehicles easy. You can search for specific makes and models using in-depth filters, create a watch list of your favourites, and set up a proxy bidding limit. Learn more about how the features work here. We even have a matching parts finder so you can shop all in one place and stick to your budget. Use it to price up the cost of replacement parts and collect them when you come to collect your vehicle.
Ready to bid?
Create your account to start bidding today. Subscription costs £70 (plus VAT) for one year.
If you have any questions about our auction, visit our Help Centre to read frequently asked questions. To speak to us online, you can reach us Monday-Friday between 8.30am-5pm on Live Chat by visiting this link.
