Category N or Category F Write Offs..?
Discussion
Can anyone give me a clear outline on what is involved in getting a written off car, back on the road, in the following two categories:
Cat N
Cat F
My car is likely to be one or the other, and with only a couple of tiny holes in the soft top (where embers must have settled) I cannot find any evidence of any damage... (I’ve been under it, behind the dash, checked wiring, fuses, relays etc and it drives and operates exactly as it did before it was parked nearby another burning car).
I don’t really want to bin it, it’s a nice old thing.
Sterillium said:
Cat N
Cat F
My car is likely to be one or the other, and with only a couple of tiny holes in the soft top (where embers must have settled) I cannot find any evidence of any damage... .
Would be Cat N for non structural, not sure about now but when my Subaru Was Cat D'd i didn't have to do anything at all, just kept on driving.Cat F
My car is likely to be one or the other, and with only a couple of tiny holes in the soft top (where embers must have settled) I cannot find any evidence of any damage... .
As noted Cat F doesn't exist, it's likely Cat S you heard.
Category F does exist - it's "minor fire damage", which seems about right. in this case (this is the Saab that got singed in the MOT place, right?)
Putting it back on the road would be the same as for Cat N, I think, so no real difference.
Putting it back on the road would be the same as for Cat N, I think, so no real difference.
The Rookie said:
Sterillium said:
Cat N
Cat F
My car is likely to be one or the other, and with only a couple of tiny holes in the soft top (where embers must have settled) I cannot find any evidence of any damage... .
Would be Cat N for non structural, not sure about now but when my Subaru Was Cat D'd i didn't have to do anything at all, just kept on driving.Cat F
My car is likely to be one or the other, and with only a couple of tiny holes in the soft top (where embers must have settled) I cannot find any evidence of any damage... .
As noted Cat F doesn't exist, it's likely Cat S you heard.
TooMany2cvs said:
Category F does exist - it's "minor fire damage", which seems about right. in this case (this is the Saab that got singed in the MOT place, right?)
Putting it back on the road would be the same as for Cat N, I think, so no real difference.
That's the one... I imagine N or F is the likely outcome. IT was up for it's MOT anyway so I guess I just get it retested and carry on. But does there not need to be some declaration of this so it can be "flagged" as a Cat F/N for the future?Putting it back on the road would be the same as for Cat N, I think, so no real difference.
Sterillium said:
But does there not need to be some declaration of this so it can be "flagged" as a Cat F/N for the future?
There's no VIC any more, not that it applied to Cat D anyway, and nothing'll go on the V5C.Air freshener, a good wash, and a few bits of gaffer tape over the holes in the roof material - you're ready to go.
So, still no contact from the insurer, but the garage have offered to do the MOT on Monday.
If I get it done - then the Cat N or F is confirmed - would I need to go back and get another MOT again afterwards or would the MOT passed since the fire but before the insurers contacted me suffice?
ZOLLAR said:
There is no CAT F.
Fire damage depending on severity typically falls under A or B.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/insurance-write-offs/Fire damage depending on severity typically falls under A or B.
The Internet said:
o Category F:
Vehicle damaged by fire and insurer has decided not to repair. When fixed can be re-registered as damaged repaired.
Vehicle damaged by fire and insurer has decided not to repair. When fixed can be re-registered as damaged repaired.
Sterillium said:
ZOLLAR said:
There is no CAT F.
Fire damage depending on severity typically falls under A or B.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/insurance-write-offs/Fire damage depending on severity typically falls under A or B.
The Internet said:
o Category F:
Vehicle damaged by fire and insurer has decided not to repair. When fixed can be re-registered as damaged repaired.
Vehicle damaged by fire and insurer has decided not to repair. When fixed can be re-registered as damaged repaired.
I have access to the MIAFTR database and have worked in the industry (particularly fire investigations) for over a decade, I can assure you there is no CAT F.
ZOLLAR said:
Honest John seriously?
I have access to the MIAFTR database and have worked in the industry (particularly fire investigations) for over a decade, I can assure you there is no CAT F.
Well, the first two results of a search were Honest John and Parkers... so the lesser of two evils I have access to the MIAFTR database and have worked in the industry (particularly fire investigations) for over a decade, I can assure you there is no CAT F.

Unfortunately my insurance company also appear to believe there is a Category F so this might get interesting.
What's your advice on returning it to the road (after buying back as salvage) - should I hold off on the MOT until after their insurers make an offer or would it be OK to get it done now and still return it to the road afterwards?
Sterillium said:
ZOLLAR said:
Honest John seriously?
I have access to the MIAFTR database and have worked in the industry (particularly fire investigations) for over a decade, I can assure you there is no CAT F.
Well, the first two results of a search were Honest John and Parkers... so the lesser of two evils I have access to the MIAFTR database and have worked in the industry (particularly fire investigations) for over a decade, I can assure you there is no CAT F.

Unfortunately my insurance company also appear to believe there is a Category F so this might get interesting.
What's your advice on returning it to the road (after buying back as salvage) - should I hold off on the MOT until after their insurers make an offer or would it be OK to get it done now and still return it to the road afterwards?
ABI show A - D
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/sitecore/files...
Sterillium said:
Well, the first two results of a search were Honest John and Parkers... so the lesser of two evils 
Unfortunately my insurance company also appear to believe there is a Category F so this might get interesting.
What's your advice on returning it to the road (after buying back as salvage) - should I hold off on the MOT until after their insurers make an offer or would it be OK to get it done now and still return it to the road afterwards?
No VIC checks now, if your insurer is happy for you to retain salvage (if they weren’t sure it was safe to return it they wouldn’t let you retain or buy it back) then get it repaired, get it MOT’d and your done.
Unfortunately my insurance company also appear to believe there is a Category F so this might get interesting.
What's your advice on returning it to the road (after buying back as salvage) - should I hold off on the MOT until after their insurers make an offer or would it be OK to get it done now and still return it to the road afterwards?
That really is the extent of it these days.
feef said:
They may be 'unofficial', internal categories?
ABI show A - D
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/sitecore/files...
That publication is very old, CAT C and D no longer exist.ABI show A - D
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/sitecore/files...
ZOLLAR said:
feef said:
They may be 'unofficial', internal categories?
ABI show A - D
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/sitecore/files...
That publication is very old, CAT C and D no longer exist.ABI show A - D
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/sitecore/files...
https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2017/06/...
feef said:
CAT N and S should make things easier.
ZOLLAR said:
No VIC checks now, if your insurer is happy for you to retain salvage (if they weren’t sure it was safe to return it they wouldn’t let you retain or buy it back) then get it repaired, get it MOT’d and your done.
That really is the extent of it these days.
Very helpful - thank you.That really is the extent of it these days.
Does the MOT need to be after they settle up / I buy it back? I actually have it booked for Monday to "finish off" the MOT it went in for originally... Unless it can fail on smelling smokey, I think it will be fine.
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