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.
In the UK, a vehicle involved in an accident and sustaining damage is labelled as "written-off." At times, a car may be deemed irreparable ("Cat A" or "Cat B") due to extensive damage, making it ineligible for sale. Alternatively, vehicles designated as "Cat S" or "Cat N" may be available for purchase after proper repairs. These rebuilt cars often come with a lower price tag than those with no accident history.
Our comprehensive vehicle check assesses whether a car has been written off or has any accident records. We source write-off data from the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) and leading UK insurance companies.
The MIAFTR, guided by the Code of Practice for the Disposal of Motor Vehicle Salvage, is a database containing information on stolen or written-off cars. Developed to combat vehicle theft and fraud, MIAFTR aids in the recovery of stolen vehicles.
Under UK law, this information is visible alongside other vehicle checks when purchasing a used car from a dealer. However, private owners are not obligated to disclose information affecting the sale price, and they rarely do.
What are the insurance write-off categories?
According to a recent study, an estimated 384,000 cars were written off by insurance in the UK last year, or one every 90 seconds on average. Write-off details are categorised in the following categories:
Cat A designates vehicles as unsafe for road use due to severe damage, typically irreparable and considered scrap for salvage or recycling.
Cat B allows some parts to be reused or sold second-hand if removed by an expert, but the entire vehicle cannot be sold.
Cat C/S (Structurally Damaged Repairable) implies repair costs exceeding the vehicle's value; re-registration with the DVLA is required before road use.
Cat D/N (Non-Structurally Damaged Repairable) applies to vehicles with non-structural damage that may have affected security. If repairs are satisfactory, the car can be purchased.
An Insurance Write-Off Check provides complete peace of mind.
1 in 5 vehicles we check will reveal the car's accident history. This information can give you more details about its past and allow you to decide before purchasing.
Insurance write-off checks provide complete peace of mind since, while a Category S or N write-off can be rectified, it's essential to know if it's been written off previously. The UK legislation compels a dealer or trade seller to notify potential buyers if the vehicle they are selling has been previously written off. Still, private sellers are not required to do so.
An unexpected insurance write-off check could indicate that you are buying from a shady person who has not been transparent about the vehicle's past. Do your homework so you have reliable information.
What information is shown on your Write-Off check?
Our comprehensive check at £9.99 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 50+ other important vehicle information to help you buy with peace of mind.
Answering Your Questions
An insurance write-off is a term used in the insurance industry to define a car that is either too damaged to be driven safely again or is still driveable but cannot be repaired financially.
If your vehicle is written off, ownership is transferred to your insurance provider, and you are compensated. If your car is declared a total loss, you will have the option of purchasing it and repairing it yourself.
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.
Yes, a write-off will appear on the V5 registration document. A car's insurer must notify the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) when it is declared a write-off. A write-off status and category are then updated in the DVLA's records for the vehicle.
The updated V5C registration document may have a "VIC marker" or a "salvage" notation, which indicates the vehicle has been declared a write-off. As a result, potential buyers are given a thorough understanding of the car's history, as well as any possible safety issues. A comprehensive write-off check is still necessary to obtain detailed information about the car's past and the extent of its damage.
