Can I repair a category B car?

No. Its body structure and original identity must be destroyed. Some undamaged parts can be recovered for reuse, but the category B vehicle itself cannot return.

Can parts be taken from category A?

No. The ABI code requires the complete category A vehicle to be crushed without components being removed for reuse.

Can an MOT put category A or B back on the road?

No. An MOT checks specified items on the vehicle presented. It cannot overturn the destruction category or recreate the vehicle identity and V5C.

Insurance write-offs

Categories A and B never return to the road

Both are destruction categories. Category A loses every part; category B may supply permitted undamaged parts before its body structure is crushed.

What is the difference between category A and category B?

A means crush the complete vehicle with no reusable parts. B means the body structure and vehicle identity must be crushed, although suitable undamaged parts may be recovered first.

Association of British Insurers, Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motorised Vehicle Salvage (as of 28 May 2025)

Checked on 7 September 2026.Association of British Insurers, Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motorised Vehicle Salvage (as of 28 May 2025)

The categories at a glance

Categories A and B never return to the road: category summary
Category	ABI meaning	May return	V5C and DVLA
A: Scrap	The vehicle is not suitable for repair and no part of it is safe to reuse. The complete vehicle must be crushed.	No	The V5C goes to the insurer after the keeper completes the DVLA notification. The destruction record prevents another V5C being issued for this identity.
B: Break	The vehicle is not suitable for repair, but some undamaged parts may be recovered. Its bodyshell, chassis or frame must be crushed in full.	No	The V5C goes to the insurer after the keeper completes the DVLA notification. The destruction record prevents another V5C being issued for this identity.

Category A is scrap only

The current ABI code reserves A for a vehicle that is not safely repairable and has no reusable parts. It must be crushed in full at an authorised treatment facility and a Certificate of Destruction must be issued.

No component may be removed for reuse. The VIN and V5C cannot be used to rebuild another vehicle around the same identity.

Category B can donate only permitted parts

B also means the vehicle cannot be repaired. The distinction is that suitable undamaged components may be recovered, while the bodyshell, chassis or frame must be crushed in its entirety without structural components being removed.

The sale is a parts transaction, not a route back to registration. A purported repaired category B vehicle should not exist on the road.

DVLA, V5C and destruction

The insurer enters every categorised vehicle on MIAFTR and must update the final category promptly. That entry supplies the insurer's DVLA notification.
The registered keeper must notify DVLA when the insurer takes the vehicle after the claim settles, unless the insurer acts as the keeper's agent.
The remaining V5C is destroyed and the destruction record prevents a new V5C being issued for the original identity.

Why an MOT changes nothing

An MOT is not a route around a destruction category. Neither A nor B may be reinstated or put back on the road, even if someone presents a pass certificate.

Category B parts reused on another vehicle need to be safe, suitable and lawfully sourced. Major components from a vehicle with a Certificate of Destruction must not be reused.

Common questions

Can I repair a category B car?: No. Its body structure and original identity must be destroyed. Some undamaged parts can be recovered for reuse, but the category B vehicle itself cannot return.
Can parts be taken from category A?: No. The ABI code requires the complete category A vehicle to be crushed without components being removed for reuse.
Can an MOT put category A or B back on the road?: No. An MOT checks specified items on the vehicle presented. It cannot overturn the destruction category or recreate the vehicle identity and V5C.