A car write-off check looks for recorded insurance total-loss history linked to a vehicle. It can return a category and other supplied details to compare with the seller's paperwork. Check Car Details includes this search in the paid Full Check report. The free lookup provides vehicle, tax, MOT and mileage information; it does not reveal the paid write-off result. A clear result is not proof that a car has never been damaged. View our sample report to see the format; it is illustrative and does not establish a particular vehicle's history.
Look for recorded insurance write-offs in the Full Check report
Start with available vehicle, tax, MOT and mileage information
Read the returned category and available dates alongside supporting documents
Start with the registration, review the free information and choose a paid report if you need the insurance write-off search.
Enter the UK number plate above. Confirm that the returned make, model and other details match the vehicle you are researching.
View available tax and MOT status, vehicle details and mileage information. An MOT gap or mileage discrepancy does not, by itself, establish accident damage or a write-off.
Full Check costs £10.99 and includes the insurance write-off search. Confirm the current price and included checks, complete the purchase and review any returned category and dates.
Our free registration lookup does not include the insurance write-off result. It helps you review vehicle details, tax status, MOT and mileage information. Full Check adds the write-off search and other history checks for £10.99. The table describes checks included in each option; a tick does not guarantee that a record or every field will be available for a particular vehicle.
| Check | Free Vehicle Lookup | Full Check — £10.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Available MOT history and recorded mileage information | ✔ | ✔ |
| Available tax status and vehicle details | ✔ | ✔ |
| Insurance write-off search and category where recorded | ✘ | ✔ |
| Available loss or record dates, as labelled in the report | ✘ | ✔ |
| Salvage auction history with photos where available | ✘ | ✔ |
| Recorded finance and stolen-vehicle searches | ✘ | ✔ |
Our paid car history check combines write-off, finance, stolen, keeper and mileage checks. Other paid packages have different coverage; review their included checks before choosing. Manufacturer service history is a separate paid product.
The current insurance damage categories are A, B, S and N. A and B describe vehicles that must not return to road use. S and N distinguish repairable structural and non-structural damage. The category is not a certificate of current condition or repair quality. See GOV.UK's category guidance.
The vehicle must be destroyed in its entirety. Parts must not be reused. A Category A vehicle cannot return to the road.
The body shell must be crushed, but some parts may be salvaged. The vehicle itself cannot return to road use.
The vehicle has repairable structural damage. It may be used again if repaired to a roadworthy condition. Ask for repair evidence and an appropriate inspection.
The vehicle has repairable non-structural damage. It may be used again if repaired to a roadworthy condition. Non-structural does not mean minor or purely cosmetic damage.
Older records may show Category C or D. These repair-cost classifications were replaced by S and N in October 2017. An existing C or D record does not automatically become S or N: the old category alone does not tell you whether the damage was structural. The ABI salvage code explains the classification framework.
| Historic Category | Automatic Modern Equivalent? | Basis of Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Cat C | No | Cat C concerned repair costs exceeding the vehicle's pre-accident value. It does not establish whether a modern assessment would identify structural damage. |
| Cat D | No | Cat D concerned a repairable vehicle where repair costs did not exceed its value, but other costs or considerations led to a total loss. It does not guarantee non-structural damage. |
Insurance write-off checks use industry records of vehicle total losses. MIB now holds Vehicle Salvage and Theft Data in Navigate, following the migration of data previously held in MIAFTR. Our report shows the information returned through its data supply; this does not imply a direct connection to every insurer. Coverage and update timing vary, and a recent event may not yet appear. DVLA also records some write-off information, so it is inaccurate to say that DVLA holds none. See MIB's description of its data services. If a report appears wrong, retain its reference and supporting documents and contact Check Car Details. For an unavailable paid report, consult the purchase terms or contact us about the applicable policy.
The following observations can justify further questions or an inspection. None proves that a car was written off, and none replaces checking available records and repair evidence.
If you own the affected vehicle, ask the insurer to explain the category, valuation, settlement terms and next steps. The outcome depends on the claim and your policy.
When considering a Cat S or Cat N car, assess the documented damage, repairs, inspection findings and insurance options. A lower price alone does not show that a vehicle is good value or safe to use.
Review the returned category, available event dates and any finance, stolen or mileage alerts. Check the vehicle identifiers and resolve discrepancies before relying on the results.
Choose a suitably qualified inspector and explain the recorded damage. Ask what the inspection covers, particularly structural repairs and safety systems, and obtain a quote for that scope.
Ask for invoices, before-and-after photos and any engineer's report. Match the dates and vehicle identifiers to the car. Paperwork should support, rather than replace, an inspection.
Get an insurance quote for the specific vehicle before agreeing to buy. Acceptance criteria, prices and evidence requirements differ between insurers. Compare sale prices for vehicles with similar condition and recorded history rather than assuming a standard discount applies.
Enter the UK registration, review the free vehicle details, then choose the paid Full Check report at £10.99. It searches available insurance write-off records and returns the category and other details where supplied. Confirm the current price and package before paying.
Our free lookup does not include the write-off search. It provides available vehicle, tax, MOT and mileage information. Insurance write-off records are included in our paid Full Check report. This describes our product; it is not a claim that no other source can provide information free of charge.
An insurance write-off, or total loss, is an insurer's decision to settle a loss rather than pay for repair. It may involve a vehicle that is uneconomical to repair, too damaged to return to use, or stolen and not recovered. The recorded category and claim details matter.
Ask your insurer about the category, settlement and any option to retain the vehicle. Follow the applicable DVLA steps. If the vehicle is financed, also contact the finance provider before assuming how the settlement will be applied.
A repairable category alone cannot answer that. Assess the repair documents, an appropriate independent inspection, the asking price and an insurance quote for the specific car. Category A and B vehicles must not return to road use.
The revised system introduced in October 2017 distinguishes repairable structural damage (S) from repairable non-structural damage (N). The older C and D categories used a different economic basis. An old C record is not automatically S, and an old D record is not automatically N.
No. It means no relevant write-off record was returned from the data searched. Damage may never have resulted in an insurance write-off, and records can be delayed or unavailable. Review salvage information, the seller's documents and the vehicle itself as well.
Ask an insurer for a quote on the specific vehicle and answer its questions accurately. Acceptance and documentation requirements vary. Do not assume a particular premium increase or that every insurer will offer cover.
Repairs do not erase a genuine historical write-off. If you believe a record is incorrect or relates to a different vehicle, contact the report provider with supporting evidence and ask for an investigation with the relevant data source.
A write-off does not automatically cancel your finance agreement. Ask the lender and insurer how the settlement affects the outstanding balance. Any shortfall or additional cover depends on the agreement and policy terms; do not assume it is automatically cleared.