Category A
Vehicles in this category are intended for complete destruction and should not return to the road.
CAR WRITE-OFF CHECK
Check if a car has been written off before you buy.
Run a car write-off check by registration before you commit to a used vehicle. A repaired write-off can look completely normal in an advert. Start with the free UKVEC vehicle first look, then use the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report for licensed write-off data where supplied, alongside finance, stolen and wider vehicle provenance checks.
Free first lookNo account requiredFull buyer report £5.99
Free first look · No account required
WHAT TO CHECK
Understand Cat S, Cat N and other write-off categories
A write-off marker does not automatically tell you whether a repaired car is right for you. The category, damage, repair quality, evidence, insurance implications and price all matter.
Category B
The body shell should be destroyed, although certain usable parts may be recovered.
Category S
The vehicle has suffered structural damage. Repair quality and supporting inspection evidence are especially important.
Category N
The recorded damage was non-structural, but that does not mean the repair was minor or inexpensive.
Repair evidence
Ask for photographs, invoices, alignment or structural inspection evidence and details of who completed the repair.
Insurance and resale
A previous write-off can affect insurance, valuation and future resale, so price should reflect the vehicle's history.
How do I check if a car has been written off?
Enter the registration to start your UKVEC check. The £5.99 Full UKVEC Report can return licensed insurance write-off information where supplied. If a marker is returned, confirm the category and investigate the repair before buying.
- Check the vehicle registration and available history
- Confirm the exact write-off category
- Ask for repair invoices and before-and-after photographs
- Consider an independent inspection where the previous damage or repair quality is uncertain
What is a Cat S car?
Cat S means the insurer recorded structural damage. A repaired Cat S vehicle may return to use, but the quality of the structural repair and any supporting inspection evidence deserve close attention before purchase.
What is a Cat N car?
Cat N means the insurer recorded non-structural damage. That can still involve important mechanical, electrical, steering, suspension or safety-related components, so do not assume the damage was minor.
Should I buy a Cat S car?
Only after understanding the structural damage, repair quality and inspection evidence. A low price alone should not compensate for unresolved safety or repair-quality questions.
Should I buy a Cat N car?
Cat N means the recorded damage was non-structural, but electrical, suspension or other significant components may still have been affected. Inspect the repair carefully.
How much less should a written-off car be worth?
There is no single correct discount. Value depends on category, severity of damage, repair quality, documentation, specification, market demand and insurance implications.
Why run a wider vehicle provenance check?
Write-off history is only one potential risk. A wider provenance check can also bring together available stolen, outstanding finance and other history information before you buy.
FREE VS FULL
Start free. Go deeper only when the car is worth pursuing.
Free UKVEC first look
- Vehicle identity details
- MOT status and history
- Recorded mileage signals
Full UKVEC Report — £5.99
- Outstanding finance markers
- Stolen markers
- Insurance write-off markers
- Buyer-focused provenance review
Missing supplier data is shown as unavailable rather than treated as a clean result. UKVEC is a data-based buyer aid, not a mechanical inspection or guarantee of vehicle condition.
BUYER ACTION
Check the vehicle before money changes hands
Start with the free UKVEC first look. If the vehicle is worth pursuing, unlock the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report for licensed provenance checks where supplied by the provider.
Free first lookNo account requiredFull buyer report £5.99
COMMON QUESTIONS
Buyer FAQs
Can I check if a car has been written off by registration?
Yes. The registration is the starting point for UKVEC. Licensed write-off data is included in the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report where supplied by the provider.
What is the difference between Cat S and Cat N?
Cat S indicates recorded structural damage. Cat N indicates recorded non-structural damage. Both require careful investigation of the repair.
Can a written-off car legally return to the road?
Some categories can return to use after appropriate repair, while Categories A and B have different restrictions. Always verify the exact category and current status.
Does a write-off affect insurance?
It can. Insurers may value, price or underwrite previously written-off vehicles differently, so check before buying.
Is write-off data in the free UKVEC check?
No. Licensed write-off provenance data is part of the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report where supplied by the provider.
Can a clean MOT prove the write-off repair was good?
No. An MOT is not a structural repair assessment and does not certify the quality of previous accident repairs.
What evidence should I ask the seller for?
Ask for repair invoices, before-and-after photographs and any independent structural or geometry inspection evidence relevant to the damage.
MORE UKVEC CHECKS