Yes, of course. It's very important to check if a car has been written off. One possibility that every prospective buyer should consider is whether the vehicle you’re thinking of buying was ever damaged badly enough to be declared a ‘Total Loss’ by an insurance company (commonly known as a ‘Write-off‘) or worse again – ‘Scrapped’.
Almost 390,000 vehicles are written off by insurance companies every year in the UK. That means on average a car is written-off every 90 seconds. However a large percentage of these vehicles are repaired and returned to the road. Cover yourself and perform a write-off check today!
Has the car been written off?
MotorCheck searches for any record of the vehicle being previously written-off the UK, and reports this to you as part of our “full check” reports (i.e.: Category A, B, C, D, S, N & Y for UK). Data on Insurance Write-offs is sourced from the Motor Insurer Anti Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR). We also check for vehicles that have been classified as "Scrapped" with the DVLA or have previously had a "VIC" test.
You can quickly identify whether a vehicle has been officially declared as a write-off and MotorCheck’s notification can save you from buying a motor vehicle which could be potentially dangerous due to repair after a car has been written off.
FAQs About Car Write-Off Checks in the UK
- What does it mean if a car is a Category S or N write-off?
- Category S (Structural Damage): The car had structural damage (e.g., chassis damage) but has been deemed repairable.
- Category N (Non-Structural Damage): The car suffered non-structural issues (e.g., electrical faults, cosmetic damage) but is repairable.
2. Should I buy a car that has been written off?
- Category A or B? Avoid! These cars must not return to the road.
- Category S or N? Be cautious! While legally repairable, the damage history may impact safety, resale value, and insurance costs. Always get a mechanic's inspection and a full vehicle history report before purchasing.
3. Can a written-off car be insured?
Yes, but insurance costs can be higher, and some companies may refuse to cover a previously written-off vehicle. Always disclose the write-off status when getting a quote.
- What happens if I buy a car that was written off without knowing?
If you unknowingly buy a written-off car, you could face:
- Safety risks due to poor repairs.
- Difficulties insuring or reselling the car.
- Potential financial loss if the car isn’t worth what you paid.
