Why check for a write-off?
When repairing a damaged car would cost more than it's worth, the insurer can write it off. Some written-off cars are repaired and sold again. That's legal for some categories, but the seller should tell you, and a previous write-off affects the car's value, its insurance and sometimes its safety.
What the write-off check shows
- Whether the car is recorded as written off, and the category (A, B, S or N, or the older C and D)
- The date of the loss and the date it was recorded
- Where it was damaged and the cause, when the insurer recorded them, shown on a diagram of the car
- Whether the car is recorded as scrapped
The write-off check is part of the full history check (£9.99), with outstanding finance, stolen records, safety recalls, taxi use and a valuation.
What the categories mean
Cat A and Cat B cars must never go back on the road. Cat S (structural damage) and Cat N (non-structural damage) cars can be repaired and used again. Our guide Write-off categories explained covers them in detail.
Write-offs come from the insurance industry's register of written-off vehicles, supplied through our vehicle data provider. Damage that was repaired without an insurance claim, or claims settled privately, won't appear, so it's still worth having the car inspected.
Questions
Can I insure a written-off car?
Usually, for Cat S and Cat N cars, though some insurers charge more or decline. Tell your insurer about the write-off when you get a quote.
Does a write-off show on the V5C?
Not always, which is why a history check is the reliable way to find out.
Is the check guaranteed?
No. The report shows the records held at the time it's produced, and we don't offer a financial guarantee.