What are Cat S/N flags?

Cat flags are insurance write-off categories. A car that’s been written off and repaired carries a permanent marker on its history — and a permanent discount at retail. ScanAuctions surfaces the flag so you can factor in repair costs and resale impact before you bid.

The categories

• Cat A — scrap only, can’t be repaired or returned to the road.
• Cat B — body shell scrap, salvageable parts only.
• Cat S — structurally damaged but repairable (frame, chassis).
• Cat N — non-structural damage (panels, electrical, cosmetic).
• Cat C / D — legacy categories used pre-2017, less common now but still appear on older stock.

Where it shows up

Cat flags appear as a red pill on the car row in scan results. Clean cars don’t show a pill at all — absence is the default. The pill text is the category code (S, N, etc.) so you can spot the flag at a glance without clicking through.

Resale impact

Discounts vary by spec and how visible the damage history is, but as a rough guide:

• Cat S — expect a 25-40% discount off clean retail.
• Cat N — typically 10-20% off clean retail.
• Buyers will check HPI before purchase — the flag will be found, so price honestly.