Car Write Off Check
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A car write-off check will indicate if the vehicle has been declared written off and assigned a category by the insurance company.
Getting a car check is crucial to ensure that the vehicle has not been written off and to give you peace of mind. We obtain this information from the UK's most reliable insurance companies and the DVLA. Please keep reading to learn more about the different write-off categories and what they mean when considering buying a car.
What are the insurance write-off categories?
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has established a code of practice that includes four categories for vehicle write-offs: A, B, S, and N. These categories were created in collaboration with several organisations, including the DVLA, the Department for Transport, and the British Vehicle Salvage Federation.
ABI revised the car write-off categories in October 2017 and renamed Category C and Category D as Category S and Category N respectively.
- Category A: Scrap
Cat A write-off means the car and its parts should not appear on the roads since they are extensively damaged. - Category B: Break
Cat B write-off means the vehicle suffered extensive damage, and parts from the vehicle cannot be used on other vehicles. The whole shell should be destroyed; some pieces can be salvaged. - Category S: Structural damaged
A Category S (formerly Category C) car has sustained structural damage and can return to the road after assessing the repair costs. It's better to get the car serviced by a mechanic to make it roadworthy. - Category N: Non-structural damaged
The 'Cat N' (formerly Cat D) is where 'N' stands for 'Non-structural damage'. The "N" damage includes issues with brakes, steering, suspension, or any other parts. After appropriate fixes, cars can also hit the road.
An insurance write-off check determines if a car has been recorded as a write-off and its write off category.
What's included in our car write-off check?
Our write-off check provides comprehensive information about vehicle write-offs, outstanding finance, police stolen reports, mileage discrepancies, and more. This information is sourced from DVLA and other premium data providers.
- Transaction Date
- Category
- MIAFTR Entry Date
- Loss Type
- Loss Date
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Should I consider buying a category A or category B vehicle?
It is strongly advised against purchasing a Category A or Category B vehicle. Category A write-offs, often burnt-out, must be entirely crushed, including all spare parts. While unfit for road use, Category B write-offs allow the salvaging and selling of spare parts, but the vehicle's shell must be crushed. Exploring vehicles in other categories with less extensive damage or better repair potential is generally a safer and more practical option.
Answering your questions
When your car is declared a write-off, your insurance policy will be terminated. Depending on the terms and conditions of your contract, you may retain specific claim rights. However, you must continue paying monthly premiums until the contract's end. This holds true for Cat A vehicles.
For Cat B, Cat S, and Cat N vehicles, you can negotiate with your insurance company to repurchase the car. In the cases of S and N, you are responsible for all necessary repairs. After completing the repairs, you must apply for a new insurance policy. Be prepared for a potentially higher premium this time, as various factors will influence it.
Cat S (Structural):
- Formerly Category C, indicates structural damage.
- This involves the core framework or chassis.
- Repairs often require extensive work by professionals.
Cat N (Non-Structural):
- Formerly Category D, it signifies non-structural damage.
- Typically cosmetic or limited to electrical and safety-related components.
- The vehicle is repairable, and once fixed, it can be deemed roadworthy.
A write-off can be indicated on the V5 registration document, commonly known as the logbook. When an insurance company declares a car as a write-off, they must notify the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).