Car Write-Off Check
Find out whether a used car has ever been written off by an insurer. Our write-off check reveals Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N history instantly using official insurance database records.
What Are Insurance Write-Off Categories?
When an insurer decides a vehicle is uneconomical to repair, or unsafe to put back on the road, they declare it a write-off and assign it a category. The UK uses four categories, each reflecting the severity of the damage.
Category A — the most severe. The car must be crushed in its entirety. No parts may be salvaged or resold. A Cat A write-off should never appear on the road again under any circumstances.
Category B — the body shell must be crushed, but individual parts can be salvaged and reused. Like Cat A, a Cat B vehicle must never be returned to the road as a complete car.
Category S (formerly Cat C) — structural damage has occurred, such as a bent chassis or crumple zone deformation. The car can legally be repaired and returned to the road, but it must be professionally assessed before being re-registered. Structural repairs, if done poorly, compromise crash safety and can affect how the car handles in an accident.
Category N (formerly Cat D) — no structural damage, but the repair cost exceeded the insurer's economic threshold. This could be cosmetic damage, airbag deployment, or electrical faults. Cat N cars are generally safer than Cat S, but you should still verify the repairs were completed to a good standard.
Why Does Write-Off History Matter?
A write-off marker on a vehicle has real consequences for you as a buyer. Insurers often charge significantly higher premiums for Cat S and Cat N vehicles, and some refuse to provide fully comprehensive cover altogether. Resale value is also substantially lower — a Cat S history can reduce a car's market value by 20–40% compared to a clean example.
More importantly, a poorly repaired Cat S vehicle can be dangerous. If the structural repairs were carried out by a non-specialist bodyshop, crumple zones may not perform correctly in a collision. The car might look perfect on the outside while hiding serious underlying issues.
Dishonest sellers sometimes fail to disclose write-off history, knowing it would kill the sale or force a price reduction. Checking before you buy puts you in control.
What Does VEHIXA's Write-Off Check Cover?
VEHIXA's full report from £11.99 checks the vehicle against insurance industry write-off databases, giving you the write-off category, the approximate date of the incident, and the recorded damage description where available. You also get outstanding finance checks, stolen vehicle searches, keeper history, and a full MOT record — everything you need to make a confident buying decision.
If a write-off is found, our report clearly flags it with a plain-English explanation of what that category means and the questions you should ask the seller before proceeding.
Can You Buy a Cat S or Cat N Car?
Yes — Cat S and Cat N vehicles can legally be bought, sold and driven on UK roads. They can represent good value if the repairs were carried out correctly and the price reflects the history. The key is knowing about the write-off before you buy, not after. Armed with that information, you can get the car independently inspected, negotiate accordingly, and make a fully informed decision rather than an expensive mistake.