Check if a Vehicle has been in Accident
Check if the vehicle has ever been written off or declared a total loss by the insurance company.
You might need clarification on the significance of this check or whether you ought to purchase an insurance write-off. If it had been fixed correctly, you would have no trouble buying a Cat S/C, Cat N/D. Typically, these cars cost less than cars that have never been in an accident. According to UK law, if you're buying from a trader, you'll receive this information in plain sight, along with HPI checks. Private owners are rarely required to divulge information that could affect the sale price and are not required to do so.
Insurance Write-off Check – Explained:
Insurance industries use the term "Insurance write-off" when the vehicle has been in an accident or declared a total loss. Such vehicles are dangerous to drive on the road, and the repair cost would not be affordable.
Can I buy an insurance write-off vehicle?
Yes, you can purchase an insurance write-off vehicle by thoroughly inspecting it and only after you confirm that the repairs made are satisfactory. The vehicle must be safe to drive again on the road.
Vehicle insurance write-off categories
Write-off details are categorized in the following categories:
- Cat A - The vehicle is either too damaged or too old to repair. It also implies that the car parts are outdated and cannot be resold. Hence, these vehicles are considered as scrap.
- Cat B - Certain parts, on the other hand, may be re-used or sold second-hand if removed by an expert, but a Category B write-off vehicle cannot be sold.
- Cat C/S - You need to remember the repair cost is more than the value of the vehicle, and you have to register again with the DVLA before taking it on the road.
- Cat D/N - If the vehicle has sustained a non-structural damage that may have affected its security. If the repairs are satisfactory, you may purchase this vehicle.
How to Check if a car has been in an accident?
Our Premium check for £9.99 will reveal if the car has been in an accident. This data is sourced from MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register) which contains the database of vehicles that are stolen (recovered) and if the vehicle has been in an accident. So, make a smarter decision and check car insurance write off before buying a used car.
What will happen if my car is written-off?
If your vehicle is written-off, ownership is transferred to your insurance provider, and you are compensated. If your vehicle is declared as total loss, you will have the option of purchasing it and repairing it yourself.
Should I be worried about write-off status on vehicle?
1 in 5 vehicles we check will reveal the accident history of car. This information can provide you with more details about its past and allow you to take a decision before you proceed to purchase.
Insurance write-off checks provide complete peace of mind since, while a Category S or N write-off can be rectified, it's important to know if it's been written off previously. The legislation in the UK – compels a dealer or trade seller to notify potential buyers if the vehicle they're selling has been previously written off, but private sellers are not required to do so.
An unexpected insurance write-off check could indicate that you're buying from a shady person who hasn't been totally transparent about the vehicle's past, so do your homework so you have reliable information.
Hidden Vehicle History is Surprising Common
The insurance companies won’t risk putting a useless car on the roads. If the condition is not worthy, their engineers assign a write-off category directly. However, some private sellers give a shiny outer look and convince you to buy. As per UK law, it is illegal to drive a written-off car. The driver may be subject to several penalties. So, don’t risk it. Go for our trusted insurance write-off sourced from UK’s top insurance companies.
We Help You Check If Your Car Has Been Written Off
It's critical to understand whether a used car has been written off if you plan to buy one. Buying a written-off car can be risky and can cause you problems in the future. We have set together this comprehensive guide to determining whether your vehicle has been declared a total loss.
| Car Write Off Check Insurance | DVLA Free car check | Trusted Data |
|---|---|---|
| Make sure the vehicle hasn't been written off in the previous. | Initial vehicle check with DVLA data is free. | Reliable data sources from the largest insurance providers in the UK |
Answering Your Questions
A write off check source information from DVLA and find out the car has been in an accident as per MIAFTR records. They don’t provide such confidential information for free. So, a free car write off check is just a fantasy. However, there is a free car history check. It provides limited information.
There are multiple vehicles checks available, but we offer more information. Furthermore, our comprehensive check is available at the lowest price. Here is what you get from our comprehensive insurance write-off check:
- Date Transaction
- Category
- MIAFTR Entry Date
- Loss Type
- Loss Date
And many other important vehicle information to help you buy with peace of mind.
If it is your car, you can always buy it back from the insurance company. Just reinsure with the same or a different firm. If you somehow bought a written-off vehicle, make sure you check whether it is registered with DVLA and has passed its MOT or not.
Note that not all insurance companies will assign a write-off. However, they will cost you a higher premium. You can get a decent insurance quote by comparing insurance companies' premiums. Plus, you must check their insurance terms and agreements beforehand.
If a vehicle is written off, the insurance company has deemed it uneconomical to repair or declared it a total loss. There are four categories of write-off: Category A, Category B, Category S, and Category N.
For several reasons, you must find out if your car has been declared totalled. First off, it may be dangerous to operate a written-off vehicle. Second, it could be hard to find insurance for a written-off vehicle. Third, a written-off car can have a lower market value.
