Has This Car Been Written Off?
Check insurance write-off categories — Cat A, B, S, and N — before you buy. Know what damage the car has suffered and whether it's safe.
Instant Result
Category checked in seconds
All 4 Categories
Cat A, B, S, and N all covered
Official UK Sources
Data obtained from government and insurance records
Understanding the 4 Write-Off Categories
Not all write-offs are equal. Understanding the category is essential before buying a damaged vehicle.
The vehicle must be crushed. No parts can be resold or reused. If you see a Cat A car for sale, walk away immediately.
The body shell must be crushed, though some parts may be salvaged. The car can never return to the road.
Structural damage has occurred (chassis/frame). The car can be repaired and returned to the road but must be re-inspected before use.
Non-structural damage (electrics, cosmetics). The car can be repaired and returned to the road without re-inspection — but still must be declared.
What Our Write-Off Check Covers
We obtain write-off data from official government and insurance sources to identify any write-off history.
DVLA Data
Write-off and marker data obtained directly from DVLA records.
Insurance Register
Insurance industry write-off and theft data from the UK's national register.
Category Classification
We identify the specific write-off category: A, B, S, or N, so you know the severity.
Date of Write-Off
When the vehicle was written off, helping you assess the age and likely condition of any repair.
Repair Status
Where available, we flag whether the vehicle has been subsequently repaired and returned to road use.
DVLA Markers
Any markers or changes on DVLA records following the write-off event.
Your result in 3 steps
Enter the reg plate
Type in the registration of the vehicle you're checking.
We check the databases
Government and insurance records are queried simultaneously.
Get your instant result
Clear pass or categorised alert — with your PDF report ready to download.
Frequently asked questions
A write-off occurs when an insurance company decides the cost of repairing a damaged vehicle exceeds a threshold relative to its market value. The vehicle is then categorised as Cat A, B, S, or N depending on the extent of damage.
Yes. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can be repaired and returned to the road. However, you must disclose the write-off status to insurers and future buyers. Failing to do so is fraud.
Insurers typically charge higher premiums for previously written-off vehicles. Some insurers refuse to cover them altogether. Always check the category before buying.
Significantly. A Cat N write-off typically reduces resale value by 20–40%. A Cat S write-off can reduce it by 40–60% or more depending on the quality of repair.
Request a full repair invoice, independent inspection report, and any quality assurance certificates. For Cat S vehicles, a post-repair structural inspection is mandatory.
We obtain write-off data from official government and insurance sources to identify all recorded write-off events.