How To Check If A Car Has Been Written Off

You might come across “written-off” cars when browsing low-price car deals in the UK. These are vehicles that insurers have deemed unfit for use - in other words: they’ve had it. Or have they? The truth is, it all depends on the category of written-off car. Some can be salvaged. As much as 16% of used cars in the UK have at some point been written off! If you have the time and resources to bring a written off car back to life, you might just get a great deal.

It is absolutely essential to check if a car has been written off before you buy it. Why? Written off cars, being deemed unfit for use, clearly carry certain risks. For one, there could be serious safety concerns. Aside from that, repairing it may cost more than it’s worth and insurance can be complicated.

We’re here to help. This guide will walk you through exactly how to check if a car has been written off so you can rest assured you’re making the right purchase. We’ll also discuss the different types of written-off car and how to determine if the vehicle is a good investment.

What are the Steps to Check If a Car Has Been Written Off?

Thinking of buying a used car? There are a few steps you should take to determine whether the car has or has ever been written off. These steps will cover all the bases so you can move forwards with confidence.

Our steps include obtaining the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN), using trusted vehicle history check tools, reviewing the report, inspecting the physical condition, and confirming insurance coverage.

Make sure to follow each step carefully and comprehensively - it will save you a lot of time, money, and stress down the line!

Step 1: Obtain the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN)

The VRN - the Vehicle Registration Number - is the vehicle’s ID. It’s the most important document when it comes to identifying the vehicle and retrieving an accurate historical record. The VRN is a unique sequence of letters and numbers assigned to each vehicle - otherwise called its license plate.

Luckily, it’s very easy to find a vehicle’s VRN. You can find it in two places:

1. On the car’s license plate.
2. In the vehicle’s V5C (logbook).

Without the VRN you’ll struggle to find further information on the car. It’s essential if you are to proceed to the next steps!

Step 2: Use a Trusted Vehicle History Check Tool

Once you have the VRN, the next step is relatively straightforward. A trusted inline vehicle history check tool is the easiest way to determine whether a car has been written off. Simply enter the VRN and unlock the vehicle’s history.

There are hundreds of online vehicle history check tools in the UK. Some better than others. Some paid, some free. Here’s a list of some of the top tools:

• Car.co.uk's Vehicle history and valuation checker
• GOV UK MOT history checker
• RAC history checker
• AutoTrader vehicle checker

Before you use any vehicle history check tool, however, make sure the site is reliable and legitimate. They often involve handing over your email address, so always be careful!

Step 3: Review the Vehicle's History Report

A legitimate vehicle history report should tell you everything you need to know about the car’s history. You’ll need to examine it to see if the car has been written off.

Most vehicle history checks include:

• Write-off status
• Accident history
• Mileage
• Previous owners

Go through the history report with a fine-toothed comb and look for anything that indicates a write-off.

Step 4: Inspect the Car’s Physical Condition

An official vehicle history report should tell you whether the car’s ever been written off. However, we always recommend a comprehensive physical inspection, too. To be on the safe side, combine both approaches for a fuller picture.

When you’re inspecting the car, look out for:

• Signs of structural damage
• Poor repairs
• Mismatched parts

Note: physical damage isn’t always easy to spot if you’re not a trained professional. It’s a good idea to have a mechanic inspect the car on your behalf; they’ll be able to find any hidden defects or damage that could seriously affect the car’s safety and value.

Step 5: Check Insurance Coverage

Every car on the roads of the UK must be covered by insurance. If the vehicle in question isn’t covered, or is indeed uninsurable, that’s a big red flag. You can do two things to check the car’s insurance coverage:

1. Check the Motor Insurance Database (MID) through ask MID or Navigate.
2. Use a comparison site to get an insurance quote before you buy the vehicle.

Remember: always conduct these checks before you buy the car. You’ll save yourself a lot of stress later on!

What Are the Different Types of Car Write-Off Categories?

A write-off doesn’t have to mean the end of the road for a car. True, buyers should be careful when buying any kind of written-off car. But to make a good financial decision, it’s still important to understand the different types - or categories - of written-off cars.

There are four write-off categories in the UK: A, B, S, and N. All of these either temporarily or permanently take a car off the road and Insurers use these to determine the extent of the damage.

Here’s a handy breakdown of each category:

Category A

A Category A write-off indicates a vehicle has been deemed too damaged to be repaired. It cannot under any circumstances enter the roads again.

Category A vehicles are usually:

• Dismantled for parts.
• Scrapped.

Cat A should be a glaring red flag for all buyers: this vehicle cannot be repaired. However, if you own a Cat A car, you could still get some money for it by selling it for scrap!

Category B

Like Category A cars, Category B vehicles are beyond repair and cannot be driven under any circumstances. However, the damage may not be quite as total as with a Category A car.

For example, a Cat B car may be wrecked to the eye but still contain undamaged parts like engines, transmissions, or panels. In this case, the vehicle is most often broken down and the parts sold.

The important thing is that Category B cars can’t be driven or repaired.

Category S

Category S vehicles have sustained serious structural damage but can be repaired and returned to the roads. However, any Cat S car will require significant repair work.

While the inner parts are intact, a Cat S’s “structural damage” means that its frame, essential for safety, is damaged. Driving any such car without serious structural repairs would be very dangerous - and of course illegal.

Bringing a Category S car back to life requires extensive repairs, re-registration with the DVLA, and a new MOT. It’s not impossible, but buyers should be aware that this can be a costly undertaking.

Category N

Category N cars have non-structural damage. The vehicle’s frame and safety features may be intact, but there may be:

• Cosmetic issues
• Engine damage
• Interior damage

Cat N cars are the easiest to repair and return to the road. However, just like Cat S cars, they will require careful inspection before doing so and will likely have a much lower resale value.

Why Should You Check If a Car Has Been Written Off?

Safety is always the first concern. Buying or driving a written-off car carries enormous safety risks as well as legal ramifications. Even a Category N write-off requires repairs and inspections before it can hit the roads again.

But safety isn’t the only reason to check if a car has been written off:

• Protect yourself from higher repair costs - even a Category S or N car will require expensive repairs before it is roadworthy.
• Prevent overpaying for a damaged vehicle - a write-off affects the resale value of any vehicle. Knowing the status helps you stay on budget.
• Avoid difficulty with insurance - written-off cars are always harder to insure. Knowing what you’re buying helps streamline the process.
• Safeguard future resale value - be aware that a written-off car will be worth less at market when you go to sell it later on.
• Ensure the car’s safety - you deserve to know if your vehicle is fit to protect you and your passengers while driving.

Is it Worth Buying a Written-Off Car?

It is not illegal to buy a written-off car. In some cases it might even be tempting. After all, they’re often significantly cheaper than roadworthy vehicles. However, there are, of course, pros and cons to buying a Cat S or Cat N car.

Pros:

• Lower price - Cat S cars can be as much as 50% cheaper than comparable non-damaged cars. That’s a significant saving for the buyer.
• Repair potential - there may be cases in which a particular car is worth investing in, perhaps for sentimental value. Provided it’s Cat S or N and you have the funds, you may want to “bring the car back to life”.

Cons:

• Safety issues - without professional repairs and inspections, written-off cars are written off for a reason: they’re not roadworthy. Even driving repaired Cat S or N cars can carry certain risks of failure.
• Insurance challenges - it can be a lot harder to insure a written-off vehicle - expect higher costs and longer processes.
• Lower resale value - if you go on to resell a car that was once written off, even if it’s been restored, you can expect a lower resale value on the market.

There are some cases in which buying a written-off car is worth it: perhaps you’re on a budget or a particular car has sentimental value. But you should always be aware that buying such a vehicle comes with heightened risk, more expense, and much more complicated insurance processes.

What Are the Risks of Buying a Written-Off Car?

When browsing used cars, you’ll often find what seems like a great deal on a Cat S or Cat N vehicle. But the truth is, these cars come with significant risks - both personal and financial.

Before you go ahead and buy such a vehicle, take the time to consider these risk factors (and invest in a professional inspection if necessary):

• Safety hazards from structural damage - a car’s structure absorbs crash force and dramatically reduces injury rates. Any vehicle with a compromised structure carries heightened safety risk.
• Higher repair costs and ongoing issues - written-off cars can cost thousands to repair - not to mention the cost of frequent ongoing repairs.
• Difficulty insuring the vehicle - insurers are more wary of cars with a write-off in their history as they’re more likely to fail.
• Depreciation and lower resale value - write-offs can be worth half as much as comparable non-damaged cars. Tempting as a buyer, frustrating as a seller.
• Hidden or unreported damage - even if a car has been “restored”, you can’t always be sure there aren’t hidden issues that haven’t been addressed.

How to Avoid Buying a Written-Off Car

It’s not always obvious if a car has been written off in its past if it’s been professionally restored. However, many buyers are wary even of these kinds of vehicles - and understandably so. So if you want to avoid buying a written-off car altogether, there are six steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Use trusted vehicle history check tools - take the time to read through the car’s full history in detail.
2. Ask the seller for full disclosure - don’t assume the seller will highlight a write-off; be proactive and ask them just to make sure.
3. Inspect the vehicle’s condition - consider investing in a professional inspection to pinpoint any red flags, whether that’s structural damage or a cosmetic issue.
4. Research the vehicle’s market value - if the car in question seems 20%-50% cheaper than similar cars on the market, question why. It could indicate a past Cat S or N.
5. Consult with a mechanic - a professional opinion is always recommended when buying a used car.
6. Buy from a reputable car or trade auction - there’s a massive difference between buying a used vehicle from a car auction on a marketplace and buying from a reputable car trader. We recommend buying from a trader with a strong track record of success and transparency.