Write-Off Check
Check if a car has been written off, enter any UK registration to reveal write-off status, insurance category, and damage history with our full vehicle history check.
The basics
What Is a Write-Off Check?
A write-off check tells you whether a vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurer. Our vehicle write-off check searches official databases to reveal if a car is Cat A, Cat B, Cat S, or Cat N, helping you avoid buying a car with hidden damage. Write-off status is included in our full vehicle history check, alongside finance, theft, and accident checks.
Check If a Car Has Been Written Off
Enter a registration to instantly check if a car has been written off by an insurance company and see the write-off category.
Insurance Write-Off Check
Our insurance write-off check reveals whether a vehicle was declared a total loss and which write-off category it falls under.
DVLA Write-Off Records
We check DVLA write-off records and insurer databases so you can see the full write-off history before you buy.
Full Write-Off History
Go beyond a basic check, see full car write-off history including category, date, and whether repairs were made.
Inside the report
What a write-off check actually shows you
The write-off panel is open on the category search. A repaired write-off is legal to sell and does not have to be declared.
Is the vehicle still on finance?
If a lender still has an interest in the vehicle, they can repossess it from your driveway. The seller keeps your money.
- Searched against
- The UK finance register
- Agreement types
- PCP, HP, lease, unit stocking
- Report shows
- Agreement type, date and status
- Recorded by
- The lender, not the seller
Source: UK Finance Register
Has it been written off?
Insurers record a category when a vehicle is damaged badly enough to be uneconomical to repair. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can legally return to the road.
- Searched against
- MIAFTR, the insurance loss register
- Categories covered
- A, B, C, D, S and N
- Report shows
- Category, and the date of loss
- Also covered
- Salvage and total-loss records
Source: MIAFTR
Does the mileage add up?
Every MOT reading is on record. A reading that goes down, or a jump that does not fit the pattern, is the clearest sign of a clocked vehicle.
- Readings used
- Every MOT reading on file
- Looking for
- Readings that fall, or jump
- Report shows
- The full run of readings, in order
- Also covered
- Average miles a year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is it recorded as stolen?
A car reported stolen and never recovered stays flagged on the Police National Computer. Buying one means losing the vehicle and the money.
- Searched against
- The Police National Computer
- Marker covers
- Vehicles reported and not recovered
- Report shows
- Whether a theft marker is held
- Also covered
- The vehicle's registration status
Source: Police National Computer
How many hands has it passed through?
Frequent keeper changes can mean a problem car being passed along. The V5C record shows every change of keeper since first registration.
- Source record
- The DVLA keeper record
- Report shows
- How many keepers it has had
- Dates given
- First registration and last change
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
Has it crossed a border?
An import can be fine, but it changes the history you should expect to find, and an exported marker on a vehicle still being sold here is a red flag.
- Markers checked
- Imported and exported
- Covers
- Vehicles first registered abroad
- Report shows
- Which marker is held, and when
- Also covered
- Whether UK history starts late
Source: DVLA
Has it been scrapped?
A certificate of destruction means the vehicle should not exist on the road. Vehicles with cloned plates borrow the identity of scrapped vehicles.
- Markers checked
- Scrapped, and destroyed
- Covers
- Certificates of destruction
- Report shows
- Whether the record was closed, and when
- Also covered
- Whether the VIN matches the record
Source: DVLA
Has the plate been changed?
Plate changes are legal and common, but they are also how a past identity gets buried. The full history lists every registration the vehicle has worn.
- Source record
- The DVLA registration record
- Report shows
- Every plate the vehicle has worn
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- Personalised plates added and removed
Source: DVLA
What does the MOT record say?
Every test, pass, failure and advisory since the vehicle's third year. Advisories are the useful part: they are a mechanic telling you what was already wearing out.
- Tests listed
- Every test on record
- Report shows
- Result, date and mileage for each
- Also covered
- Advisories and reasons for failure
- Goes back to
- The vehicle's third year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is there an outstanding safety recall?
Manufacturers issue recalls when a fault could be dangerous. The work is free, but it only happens if somebody books it in, and a recall can sit unactioned for years.
- Searched against
- The DVSA recalls database
- Report shows
- Recalls affecting this vehicle
- Also covered
- Recall history for the model
- Cost to put right
- Free, at a franchised dealer
Source: DVSA recalls database
Has it been resprayed?
A recorded colour change can be a personal choice. It can also be how accident repairs or a previous identity stop being obvious at a glance.
- Source record
- The DVLA vehicle record
- Report shows
- Every recorded colour change
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- The colour at first registration
Source: DVLA
Does the vehicle match its paperwork?
The VIN on the vehicle should match the one on the record. When it does not, you are looking at a cloned or altered identity, and everything else in the history belongs to a different car.
- Compared
- The VIN against the DVLA record
- Report shows
- Whether plate, VIN and record agree
- Catches
- Cloned and altered identities
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
What will it cost to tax?
The rate depends on emissions and registration date, and the difference between bands is large enough to change which vehicle you should buy.
- Source record
- The DVLA tax record
- Report shows
- Tax status, and the date it runs out
- Rate given
- The annual rate for this vehicle
- Based on
- Emissions and registration date
Source: DVLA
What is actually under the bonnet?
Engine size, power, fuel type and economy, taken from the manufacturer record rather than the advert. Useful for checking a listing describes the vehicle it is actually selling.
- Taken from
- The manufacturer record
- Report shows
- Engine size, power and fuel type
- Also covered
- Economy, emissions and gearbox
- Useful for
- Checking the advert is accurate
Source: Manufacturer data
What will it cost to keep?
Fuel, servicing, insurance group and tax in one place, so the monthly cost of owning the vehicle is visible before you commit to it rather than after.
- Report shows
- Fuel, tax, insurance and servicing
- Fuel worked out from
- The vehicle's own economy figures
- Adjustable
- By the mileage you actually drive
- Also covered
- Typical service and MOT costs
Source: Car Owl running-cost model
What will it be worth later?
What the vehicle is worth now and what it is likely to be worth in three years. Depreciation is usually the largest single cost of owning a vehicle, and the easiest one to ignore.
- Report shows
- What the vehicle is worth today
- Ranges given
- Private sale and trade
- Projected to
- Three years ahead
- Based on
- Age, mileage and market data
Source: Car Owl valuation model
What has happened to this vehicle?
Keeper changes, MOT tests, mileage readings and plate changes on one timeline. Patterns that are invisible in a list of dates tend to be obvious once they are in order.
- Events shown
- Keepers, MOTs, mileage and plates
- Ordered by
- Date, from first registration
- Also covered
- Stretches with no record at all
- Drawn from
- DVLA and DVSA records
Source: DVLA and DVSA records
What should you check in person?
A checklist built around this specific car, including what its own MOT advisories say to look at. It turns a viewing into something you can work through rather than guess at.
- Built from
- This car's own MOT advisories
- Also built from
- Known faults for the model
- Report shows
- What to check, in viewing order
- Includes
- Questions to ask the seller
Source: Car Owl
Also in every full report: VIC marker · Unpaid loan records · Common faults and typical repair costs · Fuel cost calculator · Priority support · Money-back promise
Step by step
How to Check If a Car Has Been Written Off
Checking if a car has been written off takes seconds with Car Owl. Enter a registration and our vehicle write-off check searches insurance databases and DVLA records instantly. Whether it's an insurance write-off check or a DVLA write-off check, we give you the answers you need before you buy.
Enter the Registration
Type any UK registration into our write-off checker. Works with standard plates, private plates, and personalised registrations.
See Write-Off Status Instantly
Find out if a car has been written off within seconds. See the write-off category (Cat A, B, S, or N) and whether it can legally be driven.
Included in Full History Check
Write-off status comes as part of our full vehicle history report, alongside finance, theft, accident, and ownership checks in one comprehensive report.
Compare the categories
The four write-off categories, side by side
A, B, S and N mean very different things, and only two of them can legally be driven again. They apply to vans and motorbikes exactly as they do to cars. Tap any category to see the damage it covers and what it does to value.
Category A: scrap only
The most severe category there is. The damage is bad enough that nothing may be reused, not even a wing mirror or a set of wheels. The whole vehicle has to be crushed, frame and all.
- Damage
- Severe, beyond any repair
- What happens to it
- Crushed whole, no parts salvaged
- Effect on value
- None. It has no legal value as a vehicle
- If you are buying
- A Cat A vehicle cannot legally be sold to drive. If one is advertised, walk away and report it
Category B: break for parts
The body shell or frame must be crushed, but usable parts can be stripped and sold on. The vehicle itself can never go back on the road, though its components legally can.
- Damage
- Extensive structural damage
- What happens to it
- Shell or frame crushed, parts recycled
- Effect on value
- Only the value of the parts on it
- If you are buying
- Never roadworthy again. A Cat B on anything being sold to drive is a serious red flag
Category S: structural damage
Structural damage serious enough for the insurer to write the vehicle off, but which can be professionally repaired. Cat S vehicles are legal to repair, re-register and sell, and plenty are on the road right now.
- Damage
- Structural, to the chassis, frame or subframe
- What happens to it
- Repairable, and legal to sell once repaired
- Effect on value
- Typically 20 to 40 percent below an unrecorded equivalent
- If you are buying
- Ask for the repair invoices and an independent inspection. A good repair is fine, a cheap one is not
Category N: non-structural damage
The least severe of the modern categories. The damage did not affect the chassis or frame, but repairing it cost more than the insurer thought the vehicle was worth. That can mean cosmetic damage on an older van, or electrical and safety component faults on anything.
- Damage
- Non-structural: cosmetic, electrical or safety components
- What happens to it
- Repairable, and legal to sell once repaired
- Effect on value
- Typically 10 to 25 percent below an unrecorded equivalent
- If you are buying
- Check what was actually damaged. Non-structural still covers brakes, steering and airbags
These four categories apply to any vehicle an insurer writes off, cars, vans, motorbikes and motorhomes alike. They replaced the older C and D markers in October 2017, and anything written off before then still carries its original category, so both sets turn up on a history check.
What drivers say
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Warning signs
Check If a Vehicle Has Been Written Off
Thousands of written-off cars are sold in the UK every year without the buyer knowing. A write-off check protects you from hidden damage and costly surprises.
How to Check If a Car Has Been Written Off
To check if a car has been written off, enter the registration number into our write-off checker above. We'll search insurance write-off databases and DVLA records to tell you whether the vehicle was declared a total loss. You'll see the write-off category, Cat A (scrap only), Cat B (parts only), Cat S (structural damage, repairable), or Cat N (non-structural damage, repairable). It's the fastest way to find out if a car has been written off before you hand over any money.
Has My Car Been Written Off?
If you're wondering 'has my car been written off?', our check can tell you in seconds. Some owners discover their car was previously written off without their knowledge, especially if it changed hands after being repaired. Enter your registration above to check if your car has been written off. You'll see whether it was ever declared a total loss by an insurer, even if it looks perfectly fine today. For a deeper investigation, our full vehicle history check also reveals finance, theft, and accident data.
What's the Difference Between a Write-Off Check and a Full History Check?
A write-off check focuses specifically on whether a car has been written off by an insurer, showing the category and status. A full history check goes further. It covers outstanding finance, stolen status, mileage discrepancies, plate changes, previous owners, and more. Think of a write-off check as one piece of the puzzle. If you're buying a used car, we recommend a full vehicle history report for complete peace of mind.
Protect Yourself
Don't Buy a Car That's Been Written Off Without Knowing
A car might look perfect on the outside, but without a write-off check you could be buying a vehicle with serious structural damage, a salvage history, or an insurance write-off that tanks its resale value.
Our vehicle write-off check searches insurer databases and DVLA write-off records to reveal any hidden history. Wondering how to check if a car is written off? Enter the registration above and our full vehicle history report will show you the complete write-off status. Whether you're checking a car you want to buy or asking 'has my car been written off?', we've got you covered.
Run a Write-Off CheckWhy it matters
Vehicle Write-Off Check, Know Before You Buy
Car Owl helps UK drivers check if a vehicle has been written off, saving them from hidden damage, insurance surprises, and costly mistakes.
Check Write-Off Category
Find out if a car is Cat A, Cat B, Cat S, or Cat N. Our write-off check reveals the exact category so you know whether the vehicle can legally return to the road.
Insurance Write-Off Records
Our insurance write-off check searches official records to confirm whether a vehicle was declared a total loss. Don't take the seller's word for it.
DVLA Write-Off Data
We cross-reference DVLA write-off records so you can check if a vehicle has been written off using trusted government-linked data sources.
Check If a Car Has Been Written Off
- Enter any UK registration to check if a car has been written off. Our write-off check is included in the full vehicle history report and reveals the insurance category instantly.
- Your report includes write-off category, date, insurer details, and complete damage history, plus finance, theft, and accident checks all in one.
What Does Our Write-Off Check Include?
- Check car write-off status and see the insurance category (Cat A, Cat B, Cat S, or Cat N) with details of what each category means for roadworthiness.
- View the full car write-off history from DVLA records and insurance databases, know exactly what happened and when.
Why Run a Vehicle Write-Off Check Before Buying?
- A vehicle write-off check reveals if the car was declared a total loss, protecting you from hidden structural damage, unsafe repairs, and inflated prices.
- Cars that have been written off can be worth significantly less. Check car written off status before you negotiate so you know the true value.
RAC, AA and HPI
How We Compare To Competitors
40 features, side by side. 26 of them are where the providers actually differ.
- Car Owl 40 of 40
- RAC 18 of 40
- AA 15 of 40
- HPI 18 of 40
| Feature | Car Owl |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial 3 differ | ||||
| Outstanding Finance Check | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Unpaid Loan Check | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Accident & Write-Off History | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Insurance Write-Off Status | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Stolen Car Check | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Mileage Discrepancies | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Scrapped Car Check | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Imported/Exported | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Clocked Mileage Alert | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Cost of Ownership Calculator | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Future Value Prediction | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Assurance 5 differ | ||||
| Provide Excellent Service | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Clear & Actionable Insights | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Compatible With Any Browser | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Priority Support | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| 24/7 Customer Assistance | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Unlimited Free ULEZ Checks | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Maintenance 9 differ | ||||
| Mileage Verification Check | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Full MOT History | Included | Included | Not included | Included |
| MOT Red Flags | Included | Included | Not included | Included |
| Fuel Cost Calculator | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Vehicle Known Issues | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Colour Change Detection | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Recall Status Check | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Manufacturer Recall Alert | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Unlimited MOT History Checks | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Current Estimated Mileage | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Ownership 5 differ | ||||
| Previous Keepers | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Plate Changes | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Logbook Check | Included | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Cheapest Fuel Finder | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Ownership History | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| V5C Count | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| VIN Verification Tool | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Technical 4 differ | ||||
| Fuel Economy Insights | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Running Costs | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Road Tax Info | Included | Included | Not included | Included |
| CO2 | Included | Included | Not included | Included |
| Technical Specifications | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Engine Details | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
Feature lists compared from each provider's own published information. Correct at the time of writing.
Why it matters
What a history check turns up
1 in 3
Used cars have hidden issues like finance debt or previous accidents.
109
Stolen cars flagged daily using our detailed car history check.
1 in 3
Cars are still on finance. Buy the wrong one, and it could be repossessed.
1,815
Cars flagged daily for mileage discrepancies. Don't fall for tampered odometers.
2,205
Written-off cars found every day, as shown in our premium vehicle report.
1 in 4
Cars have had plate changes. Our reports reveal hidden problems instantly to ensure complete a car history check.
See it first
What’s Included in Your Vehicle Check?
We set a fair price for our car history check. This allows you to make informed decisions and save time. Knowing your vehicle history is key when car buying.
Our vehicle stolen check has full access to the UK PNC (Police National Computer) service. This guarantees your vehicle is not reported as stolen before you purchase. Get total peace of mind knowing this important information.
View Sample Report
AA19 MOT
Ford Focus RS
Overall outcome:
PASS
All checks:
- No Finance
- Not Written Off
- Not Stolen
- Not Imported
- Not Scrapped
- Mileage Verified
At a glance
Write-Off Check UK
Check If a Car Has Been Written Off, Instantly
Enter any UK registration to check if a vehicle has been written off. Our write-off check searches insurance databases and DVLA records to reveal hidden damage history, included in every full vehicle history report.
Official Write-Off Records
Every write-off check pulls data from official insurer databases and DVLA records. Accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy.
Check Any Vehicle
Run a vehicle write-off check on any UK-registered car, van, or motorcycle. See Cat S, Cat N, and full write-off history.
Run a Write-Off Check Now
Enter any UK registration above to check if a car has been written off. Our write-off check is included in every full vehicle history report, the fastest way to spot hidden insurance damage before you buy.
Still unsure?
Write-Off Check FAQs
How to check if a car has been written off?
Enter the vehicle's registration number into our write-off checker above. We search insurance write-off databases and DVLA records to show you whether the car was declared a total loss, the write-off category (Cat A, B, S, or N), and when it happened.
How to check if a car is written off?
Use Car Owl's write-off check to instantly see if a car is written off. Just type the registration number and we'll tell you whether it appears on insurance write-off records. For full details, upgrade to a complete vehicle history report.
Has my car been written off?
To find out if your car has been written off, enter your registration above. Some owners discover their car was previously written off without their knowledge, especially after it changed hands. Our check reveals any write-off history linked to the registration.
How to find out if car has been written off?
The quickest way to find out if a car has been written off is to use Car Owl's write-off check, included in our full vehicle history report. Enter the reg and we'll search official insurer and DVLA records. You'll see the write-off status and category within seconds.
What is an insurance write-off check?
An insurance write-off check searches official databases to see if a vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurance company. Our insurance write-off check shows the category (Cat A, B, S, or N) and helps you understand whether the car can legally be driven.
What is a DVLA write-off check?
A DVLA write-off check uses government-linked records to verify whether a vehicle has been recorded as written off. Our check combines DVLA data with insurance databases for the most complete picture of a vehicle's write-off history.
How much does a write-off check cost?
Our write-off check is included in Car Owl's full vehicle history report, you don't pay for it separately. The history report also covers finance, stolen status, accident damage, mileage, and previous owners, all in one check.
What are the write-off categories (Cat A, B, S, N)?
In the UK, written-off cars are classified into four categories: Cat A, must be scrapped entirely, no parts reusable. Cat B, cannot be repaired but parts can be salvaged. Cat S, structural damage, can be repaired and returned to the road. Cat N, non-structural damage (cosmetic or electrical), can be repaired and driven again.
Can I drive a car that has been written off?
It depends on the category. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can be repaired and legally driven again. Cat A and Cat B vehicles cannot return to the road. Always run a write-off check to confirm the category before purchasing.
Does a write-off affect a car's value?
Yes, a car that has been written off is typically worth 20–40% less than an equivalent vehicle with a clean history. Buyers are wary of hidden damage, and insurance premiums may be higher. Always check car write-off status before negotiating a price.
How to check if a car is a write-off using the registration?
Enter the registration number into our write-off check tool above. We'll search insurance and DVLA write-off records and show you the result within seconds. No account needed, just type the reg and check.
Can I check car write-off history online?
Yes, enter a registration into Car Owl and our write-off check searches insurance and DVLA records for the complete car write-off history. It's included in our full vehicle history report alongside finance, theft, and accident checks.
How to check if my car has been written off without me knowing?
It's more common than you'd think. A previous owner may have had the car written off and repaired before selling it on. Enter your registration above to check if your car has been written off, our records go back to the vehicle's first registration.
Is a write-off check the same as an HPI check?
A write-off check focuses specifically on insurance write-off status and category. An HPI or full history check is broader, it also covers outstanding finance, stolen markers, mileage, and previous owners. For complete peace of mind, we recommend a <a href='/vehicle-history-check'>full vehicle history check</a>.
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