Scrap only
The vehicle should be crushed and no parts should be reused.
Car Write Off Check
Check if a car is recorded as Cat A, Cat B, Cat S or Cat N before you buy
Check if a car has been written off
A car write off check helps you understand whether a used vehicle has ever been recorded as an insurance total loss. This matters because a category marker can affect safety, insurance, resale value and how much confidence you should place in the seller's description.
Start with a free car check to confirm the basics, then upgrade if you need the insurance write-off result, finance check, stolen check and wider vehicle history before making a buying decision.
What a car write off check can show
A write-off record is not just a label. It can tell you the type of damage recorded, whether the vehicle should ever return to the road, and whether the asking price looks realistic.
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Insurance category See whether an insurance write-off marker is available for the vehicle.
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Cat A, B, S or N Understand the category and what it may mean before you buy.
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Value impact Use damage and total loss context when judging the asking price.
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Buyer confidence Compare seller claims with finance, stolen and mileage checks in the full report.
Car write-off categories explained
UK insurance write-off categories help describe how serious the damage was and whether the car can legally return to the road. The most important categories for buyers are Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N.
Break for parts
The body shell should be crushed, although some parts may be salvaged.
Structural damage
The vehicle had damage to its structure but may return to the road after repair.
Non-structural damage
The vehicle had non-structural damage such as electrical, cosmetic or safety-related issues.
Write-off checks, insurance and car value
Category cars can be cheaper to buy, but the saving needs to make sense. A Cat S or Cat N car may cost more to insure, may be harder to sell later, and should be valued differently from a clean-history car.
If you are comparing prices, combine the write-off result with a car valuation check, MOT check and mileage history before you negotiate.
DVLA write-off check vs full history check
DVLA and DVSA data can help you verify registration details, tax and MOT history, but buyers often need more than a basic lookup. Insurance write-off markers are part of the wider vehicle history, which is why a full check is useful before paying a deposit or arranging collection.
You can also read the government guidance on scrapped and written-off vehicles for official context on category records.
Useful related checks
A write-off marker is only one part of the risk picture. These checks help build a clearer view of the car before you buy.
Car Write Off Check FAQs
Enter the registration number and run a car write off check. The report can reveal whether the vehicle has been recorded as an insurance write-off, including Cat A, Cat B, Cat S or Cat N where data is available.
DVLA information is useful for MOT, tax and vehicle identity details, but it does not give buyers every insurance write-off marker. A full history check is designed to look for insurance total loss records alongside finance, stolen and mileage checks.
Cat A and Cat B vehicles should not return to the road. Cat S means the vehicle had structural damage and Cat N means non-structural damage. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can be repaired, but buyers should check the repair evidence carefully.
Many insurers will consider Cat S and Cat N vehicles after repair, but premiums, excesses and acceptance can vary. Always compare insurance before buying a category car.
Yes. A recorded write-off can reduce resale value and make future buyers more cautious, even when repairs are complete. Use the history result alongside valuation, MOT and mileage checks before agreeing a price.
Cat S usually needs more caution because it means structural damage was recorded. Cat N is non-structural, but it can still involve expensive repairs, safety systems or electrical issues.