Step 01
Enter your registration
Every UK car has a unique registration on its number plate or V5C logbook. Takes seconds to type in.
Cat S Check — Structural Write-Off Check by Reg
Category S means the car suffered structural damage. Check if a vehicle carries a Cat S write-off marker before you buy. £14.99, instant results.
★4.8/ 327 reviewsView a sample report →
- 01Outstanding finance
- 02Mileage rollbacks
- 03Theft, salvage & auction
- 04Write-off & Category
Why Cat S History Matters
Structural write-offs can be repaired — but repair quality varies. An undisclosed Cat S car could be hiding substandard work.
Structural Damage Revealed
Cat S means chassis, sills, crumple zones or pillars were damaged in an accident — serious structural harm that must be properly repaired
National Insurer Records
Checked against UK insurer write-off databases — if the car was ever declared Cat S, it will appear on your Carhealth report
Repair Quality Unknown
Cat S cars can return to the road after repair — but repair quality varies widely. An undisclosed Cat S car could be hiding substandard structural work
Know the Value Impact
Cat S cars are worth significantly less than undamaged equivalents. Know before you pay — factor the write-off history into your offer
How it works
From registration plate to full report — in under a minute.
Step 02
We search multiple sources
We pull from DVLA, DVSA, police databases, insurance records, auction houses, and more — all at once.
Step 03
Your report is ready
A comprehensive history report is generated within minutes, covering finance, theft, mileage, accidents, and more.
Step 04
Buy with confidence
Use your report to negotiate a better price, avoid hidden problems, and make a safe, informed purchase.
View sample report →Everything inside a Carhealth report.
Our checks go far beyond the basics — the full picture, before you hand over any money.
Report Summary
At-a-glance overview: tax, MOT, police record, insurance, finance, import/export status and more.
AI Analysis
Our AI analyses hundreds of data points to surface insights and flag potential issues you should know about.
Salvage Information
See auction photos and full salvage history — including Cat S, Cat N, Cat B write-off classifications.
Market Value
Compare the asking price against recent sales data so you know if you're getting a fair deal.
Vehicle History
Full MOT history with passes, failures, and advisory notes — a window into the car's maintenance record.
Mileage History
Cross-reference mileage readings across multiple sources to detect clocking and potential fraud.
Specification
Technical specs and original factory equipment: engine, transmission, safety systems, navigation and more.
Safety
Euro NCAP safety ratings and important safety feature checks to ensure the car meets your standards.
Maintenance
Recommended service intervals and maintenance guidance so you can plan for future running costs.
Buyers Guide
Model-specific buying advice from experts to help you make the right decision for this vehicle.
Common Car Faults
Known issues and recurring problems for this make and model — avoid expensive surprises down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about cat s check on Carhealth
Cat S stands for Category S (structural). It is a UK insurance write-off category introduced in 2017, replacing the old Cat C designation. A Cat S vehicle sustained structural damage in an accident — this means the chassis, crumple zones, sills, A/B/C pillars, or other load-bearing structural components were damaged. Cat S cars can legally return to the road after a qualifying structural repair, but the write-off marker stays on the vehicle's history permanently and must be disclosed to insurers.
Run a Carhealth vehicle history report (£14.99) using the car's registration plate. The report queries national insurer write-off databases and returns the write-off category (if any), the date of the write-off, and whether the car has since been returned to road. Results arrive in under 60 seconds. Free checks such as the DVLA vehicle enquiry service do not include write-off history — you need an accredited provider to access insurer records.
A Cat S car can be safe to buy and drive — provided the structural repair was carried out to a proper standard by a qualified repairer and the vehicle has been correctly inspected before returning to road. However, the key risk is that repair quality varies considerably. Always ask for the full repair history, evidence of any post-repair inspection, and details of the original damage. Budget for an independent structural inspection if you're not sure. See our full write-off category guide at /write-off-check.
A Cat S designation typically reduces a car's market value by 20–40% compared to an undamaged equivalent. The exact reduction depends on the severity of the original damage, the quality of the repair, the make and model, and current market conditions. Specialist car buyers and dealers will price Cat S cars accordingly — so if a seller is offering a Cat S car at close to market value without disclosing the history, you may be overpaying significantly.
Yes. Buying a Cat S vehicle and failing to declare its write-off history to your insurer is a form of material non-disclosure and can invalidate your insurance policy. Most insurers will ask specifically about write-off history when you apply for cover. If you make a claim and the insurer discovers undisclosed write-off history, they may refuse to pay. Always declare Cat S status and get quotes from multiple insurers before completing your purchase.
Cat S (structural) means the vehicle suffered damage to structural components such as the chassis or crumple zones. Cat N (non-structural) means the damage was limited to non-structural parts — cosmetic panels, trim, electrical systems, or non-load-bearing suspension components. Both categories allow the car to return to road after repair, and both must be declared to insurers. Cat S cars typically carry higher repair costs and a greater value reduction. See /cat-n-check for more on Category N write-offs.