Quick Answer
A Cat B (Category B) car is an insurance write-off with damage so severe the vehicle must never return to the road. The body shell must be crushed, though some undamaged parts can be salvaged and sold. A Cat B car can never be legally driven again.
What Cat B means
Category B is the second most severe write-off category, above only Cat A (scrap). A Cat B vehicle has suffered extensive damage and is deemed beyond safe repair. Its body shell must be destroyed so it can never be rebuilt and put back on the road.
The one difference from Cat A is that a Cat B car can be broken for parts — usable components like the engine, gearbox or interior can be removed and sold before the shell is crushed.
Can you buy or drive a Cat B car?
No. You must never buy a Cat B car intending to drive it — doing so is illegal and extremely dangerous. If you see a whole Cat B vehicle advertised as roadworthy, walk away and report it; it may be part of a fraud or an illegal rebuild.
The only legitimate reason to buy a Cat B vehicle is to salvage specific parts, and even then the shell must be scrapped.
Check for a hidden write-off
Make sure a car has never been a Cat A or Cat B write-off — verify any reg before you buy.
Check for a hidden write-offFrequently Asked Questions
Can a Cat B car be repaired?
No. Unlike Cat S and Cat N, a Cat B car can never legally return to the road. Only its parts may be reused; the body shell must be crushed.
How do I know if a car is Cat B?
A vehicle history check will flag any write-off category, including Cat B. Always run a check before buying — a hidden Cat B rebuild is one of the most dangerous cars you can buy.