How to Check if a Car Is Written Off (UK)

How to check if a car is written off (UK)

An insurance write-off is a vehicle that an insurer has decided is not economical or not safe to repair after damage. Write-offs fall into categories — Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N — and each one carries different risks. Some can legally be repaired and sold on; others must never go back on the road. Checking a car's write-off status before you buy is essential.

Run an insurance write-off check

Write-off status is held in UK insurance industry databases. The only reliable way to check it is a paid write-off check against the registration. Carpeep includes insurance write-off data in every £15 report.

Understand the categories

Cat A — must be crushed whole. Never legally returned to the road.
Cat B — body shell destroyed. Parts may be reused but the vehicle itself cannot return.
Cat S — structural damage. Can be repaired and returned to the road.
Cat N — non-structural damage. Can be repaired and returned to the road.

What to do if the car is flagged

If it is Cat A or Cat B, walk away.
If it is Cat S or Cat N, treat it as high risk. Ask for evidence of repairs and a current inspection report.
Expect the car to be worth significantly less than an equivalent non-write-off vehicle.
Insurance premiums may be higher and future resale will be harder.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check write-off status for free?

No. The DVLA does not hold insurance write-off data — it sits in closed industry databases. You need a paid vehicle history check to see it.

Should I ever buy a Cat S or Cat N car?

Only if the damage and repair history are fully documented, the repair was done properly, and the price reflects the lower market value. For many buyers, the simplest decision is to avoid write-offs altogether.

Does a seller have to tell me the car is a write-off?

Sellers are expected to be truthful about material facts, but enforcement is difficult. A paid write-off check is independent verification you can trust.