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. A clean-car estimate will not include that hit, so value the car and then read the category together.
• 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.