Quick Answer
Cat C and Cat D are the old insurance write-off categories used before October 2017. Cat C meant repairable damage where repair costs exceeded the car's value; Cat D meant repair costs were lower but still uneconomical. They were replaced by Cat S and Cat N.
The old categories explained
Before October 2017, insurers used Cat C and Cat D for repairable write-offs. The old system was based purely on the cost of repair versus the car's value — it said nothing about whether the damage was structural.
Cat C meant the repair bill was more than the car was worth. Cat D meant repairs were cheaper than the car's value but the insurer still chose to write it off (often factoring in courtesy car and admin costs).
Why the categories changed
The system switched to Cat S (Structural) and Cat N (Non-structural) so buyers could see the nature of the damage, not just the cost. A car written off before October 2017 keeps its original Cat C or Cat D marker for life — it is not retrospectively re-labelled.
| Old category | Rough modern equivalent | Repairable? |
|---|---|---|
| Cat C | Cat S (more serious) | Yes |
| Cat D | Cat N (less serious) | Yes |
Check a car's write-off history
See if a car carries a Cat C, Cat D, Cat S or Cat N marker — check any reg in seconds.
Check a car's write-off historyFrequently Asked Questions
Are Cat C and Cat D still used?
Not for new write-offs. Since October 2017 insurers use Cat S and Cat N. But older cars written off before then still carry their original Cat C or Cat D marker.
Is a Cat D car safe?
Cat D damage was typically light and uneconomical to repair rather than dangerous. As with any write-off, safety depends entirely on the quality of the repair — always get it inspected.