What is a Category A Write-Off?

If you purchase a second-hand vehicle, you may hear the term Category A write-off. This is the worst form of insurance write-off, and it means the car is totally beyond repair and has to be scrapped. Category A cars are different from other write-off categories in that they cannot be returned to the road, and even their parts cannot be resold or reused.

But why is a car Category A, and how do you avoid getting ripped off into buying a car that should have been crushed?

Here's what we'll cover in this guide:

• What Category A is and how it differs from other write-offs.
• Why these cars must be scrapped and cannot be salvaged.
• The legal and safety risks of owning a Category A vehicle.
• How insurance companies classify vehicles as Category A.
• How to establish whether a car is a write-off.
• How to avoid scams when purchasing a written-off car.

What Is Category A?

Category A is the worst description of vehicle write-offs. It is where a vehicle has suffered damage so great that it's never safe to ever fix, drive, or even take apart for spares.

These kinds of cars are normally employed in:

• Severe high-speed accidents that make the structure unsalvageable.
• Aggressive fires that soften the car body and internal systems.
• Extreme flood damage causing irreparable electrical and mechanical failures.
• Structural collapse where significant elements like the roof, chassis, or pillars get completely crushed.

After a vehicle is rated Category A, it must be demolished completely at an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) according to law.

Why Are Category A Cars Destroyed?

In contrast to other write-off types, Category A cars are so unsafe that nothing on the vehicle is reusable. This is due to:

• The frame itself is too damaged to be repaired, posing a risk to drivers and other motor users.
• Fire-damaged cars release poisonous chemicals, so they are not safe to touch.
• Flood-damaged cars tend to have electrical faults, and these may cause uncontrollable malfunctioning.
• Seriously wrecked cars may have hidden stress fractures that lead to catastrophic failures even after repair.

Because of these risks, Category A cars must be crushed beyond recognition, with no parts sold or reused.

How Is Category A Different from Other Write-Offs?

Understanding the different insurance write-off categories makes it clear why Category A is the worst:

• Category A: The car must be completely destroyed—no reused components.
• Category B: The car won't be driveable, but salvage some virgin parts.
• Category S: The car has structural damage but is repairable.
• Category N: Non-structural damage is caused to the vehicle but needs to be repaired.

How Do Insurers Classify Category A Cars?

Insurance companies determine a vehicle's write-off status via damage assessment and cost estimation. When the repair cost of a car exceeds its market value and is deemed unsafe for use, it will fall under Category A.

Some of the steps are:

• A professional inspection to assess structural damage.
• A cost comparison between repair costs and market value.
• A safety test to determine whether the vehicle is risky.
• If deemed irreparable, the insurer notifies the DVLA and marks the car for destruction.

The Legal Risks of Purchasing a Category A Car

Category A cars must never find their way onto the market, but some unscrupulous traders attempt to hide a car's history and get rid of it secretly. That is why buying one can prove to be a costly folly:

• It is illegal to return a Category A car to the road.
• You cannot insure, tax, or register a Category A vehicle.
• You could be prosecuted criminally or fined for knowingly buying one.
• You won't receive an insurance claim in the event of an accident.

How to Verify If a Car is Category A

To ensure you don't buy a Category A vehicle (or spares from one) unintentionally, follow these:

1. Find the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN)

You should be able to find the VRN on the car's number plate or logbook (V5C).

2. Do a Vehicle History Check

A DVLA check may not always determine write-off status, so use a reliable service to check a car's history. Do a full write-off check to verify its status.

3. Inspect the Report

The report will confirm:

• If the car has been categorized as Category A.
• Insurance write-off history in the past.
• Recorded mileage and previous ownership.

Final Thoughts

Category A write-offs are the most severe classification, meaning the vehicle is completely beyond repair and must be scrapped.

If you’re looking to buy a second-hand car, always run a full history check to make sure it hasn’t been classified as a write-off. Check a vehicle’s write-off status here before making a decision.

For more information on how write-offs impact car value, read our car write-off guide.