The Association of British Insurers' Salvage Category Guidelines

When an insurance company disposes of a vehicle instead of returning it to the policy holder, it is assigned a salvage category. This may either be 'A', 'B', 'S' or 'N'. In some instances, a vehicle may not be given a category, designated as 'not recorded' or 'Category X'. The different categories are explained below.

Category 'A'

SCRAP only e.g. total burn outs. These vehicles must be crushed and no parts can be salvaged.

Category 'B'

BREAK only. Parts can be salvaged from these vehicles but the body shell, or frame in the case of motorbikes, must be destroyed
NB. We will only sell category 'B' vehicles to customers possessing the relevant ELV license.

Category 'S'

Repairable (Structural). The vehicle has been inspected by an appropriately qualified person and declared suitable for repair. Repairable vehicle which has sustained damage to any part of the structural frame or chassis.

Category 'N'

Repairable (Non-structural). The vehicle has been inspected by an appropriately qualified person and declared suitable for repair. Repairable vehicle which has not sustained damage to the structural frame or chassis and the insurer/self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle.