Car write-off check

What a vehicle write-off is

A vehicle is written off when an insurer decides repair is not economical compared with the car’s value. That does not always mean the car was destroyed. Category S and N cars are often repaired and sold on.

Sellers do not always disclose that history. A write-off check is how you see the insurance category before you buy.

Write-off categories in the UK

Since 2017, insurers use:

• Category A (scrap) — the entire vehicle must be crushed. It cannot be repaired or used for parts.
• Category B (break) — the body shell must be crushed. Some parts can be salvaged.
• Category S (structural) — structural damage, but the car can be repaired and returned to the road after a proper inspection. See what Category S means.
• Category N (non-structural) — non-structural damage, which can include panels, electrics, suspension or brakes. It can be repaired and used on the road. Non-structural does not mean the repair was minor. Read what Category N means.

Before 2017 you may still see older Cat C or Cat D labels on some records. Those were the previous repairable categories.

Write-off vs salvage or auction history

An insurance category and a salvage auction record are not the same thing.

• Write-off = the insurer’s category (A, B, S or N) on the vehicle record.
• Salvage = an auction or salvage-yard sighting, sometimes with lot photos. See the car salvage check.

A repaired Cat N car might never appear at salvage auction. A car photographed at auction might have no write-off category. The vehicle history check reports them in separate sections.

What VehicleScore can show

Enter the registration above to open the free VehicleScore (score, MOT, tax, mileage timeline). Insurance write-off category is not on that free view. It is included in the paid Hidden History Check when Experian condition records exist for that vehicle.

When a write-off is recorded, the report can show the insurance category. Damage-location notes appear only if the data provider returned them. We do not invent a category if none is held.

Why the category matters when buying

• Write-off history usually lowers resale value.
• Some insurers charge more, or will not quote, for Cat S or Cat N.
• Poor structural repairs on Cat S cars are a safety risk.
• Cat A and Cat B complete cars should not be on the road.

If a write-off is found

1. Confirm the category on the report (A, B, S, N, or an older label).
2. Do not buy Cat A or Cat B as a complete car.
3. For Cat S or Cat N, ask for repair invoices and an independent engineer’s inspection.
4. Get insurance quotes before you agree a price.
5. Check salvage auction history as well — it can show photos and damage notes the category alone does not.
6. Also run finance and stolen checks before you pay.