If you’ve ever browsed repairable or salvage cars, you’ve probably seen those little letters – Cat S, Cat N, Cat B, Cat U, Cat X – sitting next to the listing. But what do they actually mean, and what should you watch out for?
Vehicle salvage categories are UK insurance write-off labels that show how badly a car has been damaged.
Cat S means structural damage, Cat N means non-structural damage, Cat B is parts-only, Cat U means unrecorded, and Cat X means stolen and recovered.
Let’s break it down, plain and simple.
Cat S – Structural Damage
Cat S vehicles have suffered damage to their structure or chassis – things like crumple zones, sills, or suspension mounting points.
They can often be repaired safely, but it takes professional work and proper alignment checks. For most DIY mechanics, these are a challenge best left to the pros or used purely for parts.
Cat N – Non-Structural Damage
Cat N means the car’s structure is sound – the damage is to non-structural areas such as panels, trim, or electrics.
In many cases, these are perfectly fixable at home with some mechanical skill, making them a solid option for a project or resale. Just remember that safety systems (like airbags) can still be involved. With this in mind, if you’re looking for structural parts for vehicles, it’s worth focusing on this category, as you’re less likely to get undamaged parts.
Cat B – Break for Parts Only
A Cat B vehicle is not road-legal and can never go back on the road.
They’re strictly for dismantling and recycling – ideal if you’re looking to strip for quality used parts, but not something you can rebuild or drive. The body shell must be crushed once usable parts have been removed. If you’re going to be doing this often, it’s worth reading about our Bid and Breaker Service, where we source Cat B vehicles for you, so you can get any parts you need from them. We even dispose of the vehicle once you are done.
Cat U – Used, Unrecorded
Category U means the car hasn’t been declared a write-off by an insurer. It might have light damage, mechanical faults, or simply be a used vehicle ready for parts.
Because there’s no official insurance classification, always inspect carefully – these can range from “lightly used” to “rough around the edges.”
Cat X – Stolen and Recovered
A Cat X vehicle was stolen and later recovered, often with minimal or no damage. Once the paperwork is cleared, they’re usually resold or broken for parts.
Condition varies widely, but many Cat X cars are in surprisingly good shape.
(Side note: Cat C and Cat D)
You might still see older listings marked as Cat C or Cat D. These are the old versions of today’s S and N categories:
- Cat C = Structural damage (now S)
- Cat D = Non-structural damage (now N)
So, What Does It All Mean for You?
- Cat N and Cat U are the sweet spot if you want repairable bargains or cheap donor parts.
- Cat S can be rebuilt, but only if you’re confident and understand chassis repair.
- Cat B means parts only – nothing else.
- Cat X can be a bit of a wildcard – some are great finds, others less so.
If you’re buying for parts, these categories help you understand exactly what you’re looking at before you hit the yard.
Knowing what those letters mean can save you time, money, and a few headaches down the line, but if you’re looking for a used car, we have some great Drive Away vehicles in stock now!
Looking for quality used parts? U-Pull-It’s breaker yards in York and Edinburgh are open and ready to help. Search available stock or pop down to your nearest yard to get started today!
