Write-off check

A write-off check tells you whether an insurer has ever declared a car a total loss, and which category it was given. It's included in both the Standard check (£4.99) and the Full check (£8.99), and you'll see the result in seconds.

What the write-off check shows

• The write-off category: A, B, S or N, or the older C and D for cars written off before October 2017.
• The date of loss: when the incident happened.
• The damage recorded, where the insurer noted it, such as front, rear or side.

Both checks also include salvage history, which can show you what the damage looked like when the car was sold at auction.

What the categories mean

• Cat A: scrap only. The whole car must be crushed. It should never be back on the road.
• Cat B: break for parts. Parts can be sold, but the body shell must be crushed. It should never be back on the road.
• Cat S: structural damage, such as a bent chassis or damaged crumple zones. It can be repaired and must be re-registered with the DVLA before going back on the road.
• Cat N: non-structural damage, such as cosmetic, electrical or trim damage. It can be repaired and driven again.

Before October 2017, cars were categorised by cost of repair instead. Roughly, Cat C became Cat S and Cat D became Cat N, though they don't line up exactly. Our guide to write-off categories explains the difference.

Why it matters when you're buying

A write-off isn't always a reason to walk away. A Cat N car with light cosmetic damage, repaired properly, can be good value. The problem is not knowing. A written-off car is usually worth a lot less than a clean one, and if the price doesn't reflect that, you'll lose the difference when you sell. Some insurers charge more to cover a written-off car and a few won't cover one at all.

And if anyone tries to sell you a Cat A or Cat B car to drive, walk away. Those cars should never have been repaired.

Signs a car might have been written off

The check is the reliable way to know, but a few things on the car are worth noticing:

• A V5C logbook issued recently for no obvious reason.
• Paint that doesn't quite match from one panel to the next.
• Uneven gaps around the bonnet, doors and boot.
• New parts on one corner of an otherwise older car.
• A price well below similar cars.

Buying a Cat S or Cat N car

If you still want the car, ask for photos of the damage and invoices for the repair. On a Cat S car, get an independent inspection before you buy. Get an insurance quote on the exact car. And use the valuation in the Full check to make sure the price reflects its history.

A dealer must tell you if a car has been written off. If you find out afterwards and you weren't told, you may be able to reject it under the Consumer Rights Act.