Car Write Off Check Free Before You Buy

Protect Yourself from Hidden Risks

Thinking of buying a used car? Make sure it hasn't been written off before. While some write-offs like Cat S, Cat N, Cat D, or Cat C can be safe if properly repaired, private sellers don't always disclose this information. Dealers must share it, but not everyone does. Our Free Car Write Off Check gives you instant access to trusted DVLA and insurance records, helping you avoid costly surprises. Get a free initial Salvage Check now and buy with confidence!

When Is a Car Considered a Write-Off?

A car is considered a write-off when the cost to repair it is too high compared to its value or when it's too damaged to be safely driven again. This decision is made by the insurance company after an accident, flood, or other serious damage. If written off, the insurer usually pays out the car's market value.

Car Insurance Write-Off Categories:

Each year, insurers in the UK write off around 384,000 vehicles – that's one every 90 seconds! When a car is written off, it falls into one of the following categories:

Category A (Scrap) – Completely destroyed and unsafe; the car and all its parts must be crushed.
Category B (Break) – It is too damaged to repair, but some parts can be salvaged and reused. The car itself cannot return to the road.
Category S (Structurally Damaged, Repairable) – The car has significant structural damage but can be repaired and returned to the road. It must be re-registered with the DVLA before driving again.
Category N (Non-Structurally Damaged, Repairable) – The damage is mostly cosmetic or non-structural (e.g., electrical faults); the car does not need to be re-registered but must be roadworthy before driving.

If you're buying a written-off car, make sure you know its history. Get a Car Write-Off Check free DVLA today!

MIAFTR Write-Off Data: What It Means & How It Affects Your Vehicle

The MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register) is a database that records cars that have been written off or stolen in the UK. Insurers use it to track damaged vehicles, recover stolen cars, and help prevent fraud. If a car is in the MIAFTR database, it means it has a history of being written off or reported stolen. If you're buying a used car, checking MIAFTR data can help you avoid hidden risks. A Car Write-Off Check Free UK (or DVLA vehicle check) will show you this information so you can buy with confidence.

How to Dispute a Car Write-Off Decision & Protect Your Payout?

If your insurance company writes off your car, you don't have to accept their decision without question. Their assessment is based on the car's current market value, not what you originally paid for it. If you believe your car is worth saving, you can ask to keep it and receive a reduced payout, with the salvage value deducted.

Before agreeing to any payout, carefully review your policy documents and make sure the amount offered is fair. Once you accept the settlement, disputing it later becomes difficult. If you believe your insurer's valuation is too low, gather evidence, such as similar car listings or independent valuations, and challenge their offer.

If you're still unhappy, you can file a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service. This independent body reviews insurance disputes for free, although there's no guarantee of a higher payout. However, if you have a strong case, it's worth pursuing. Always stand your ground to ensure you get a fair deal!

Car Insurance Payout Too Low? What to Do If It Doesn't Cover Your Finance

If your car is on finance and gets written off, the insurance payout might not always cover what you still owe. This can leave you paying for a car you no longer own or drive. It's a common issue, especially with Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Hire Purchase (HP), or Personal Contract Hire (PCH) agreements.

If your settlement offer seems too low, don't accept it straight away. Gather evidence of similar car valuations and challenge your insurer's offer. If the issue is negative equity—where your loan balance is higher than the car's value—speak to your finance company to discuss your options. Act fast, negotiate, and protect your finances!

What Happens to Your Car After It's Written Off by Insurance?

What happens next depends on the write-off category. If your car is a Category A or B, it's beyond saving—Cat A cars are completely scrapped, while Cat B cars can have parts salvaged, but the shell is crushed.

If your car falls under Category S or N, things are different. Your insurer may sell it back to you or a third party. These cars can be repaired and put back on the road, often selling for less than similar cars without a write-off history.

Before buying a written off car, always check to make sure that the repairs have been done properly!

FAQs

What Does an Insurance Write-Off Mean?

A write-off means your insurer has decided that your car is either too damaged to repair or too costly to fix compared to its value. Instead of repairing it, they pay you a settlement based on its market value.

What Happens If My Car Gets Written Off by the Insurer?

Your insurer takes ownership of the car and pays you a settlement amount. If it's a Category S or N write-off, you might have the option to buy it back and repair it. Category A and B cars must be scrapped.

Is It Safe to Buy a Car That Has Been Written Off?

It depends on the Category. Category S and N cars can be safely repaired and legally driven again. However, always check for proper repairs, safety, and insurance costs before buying.

Why Have the Car Write-Off Categories Changed?

The categories were updated to better reflect a car's condition after a write-off. The old Category C and D were replaced with Category S (Structural) and Category N (Non-Structural) to make it clearer whether a car's damage affects its safety.

How Do Insurers Determine If a Car Is a Write-Off After an Accident?

Insurers assess the damage, repair costs, and market value of the car. If repairs cost more than a certain percentage of the car's value, or if the car is unsafe, they write it off and offer a settlement instead of fixing it.

How to check if a car has been written off using just the number plate?

Type the number plate into a trusted car reg checker that uses DVLA and insurance data. You will see if there is a write-off marker, plus basic vehicle details to confirm the plate matches the car. If anything looks odd, ask for the VIN and V5C, then run a full insurance write off check.

Is there a way to check if car has been written off free before I pay for a full report?

Yes, you can run a free check to see if the car has been written off for free. The free result should flag any obvious write-off issues, basic theft or scrap alerts, and simple identity checks. If you see a warning or a mismatch, upgrade to a full Cat N Car Check, which includes dates, categories, and proof.

What’s included in a DVLA write-off check free vs a paid report?

Our DVLA write-off check free confirms make, model, colour, tax, and MOT status, and helps you confirm identity. The actual write-off marker usually comes from insurance databases, which some free tools preview with limited detail. A paid report adds full category and date of loss (when the insurer recorded the vehicle as total loss), outstanding finance and mileage checks, plus any salvage or auction history.

How quickly do databases update — when should I check if car is written off after an accident?

Insurers usually add a marker to industry databases soon after a decision, but it can take a few days to appear. The final category is usually recorded once the engineer's report is signed off. Check if the car is written off straight away, then again after 48 hours, and once more one to two weeks later.

Can I use a DVLA write off check to challenge an incorrect write-off marker on my car?

A DVLA write-off check shows vehicle facts, but the write-off marker comes from the insurer via MIAFTR. To fix a mistake, contact your insurer with proof, such as photos, invoices, or an engineer's report. Ask them to amend the record, then recheck, and if it delays, raise a complaint or go to the Financial Ombudsman.

What is the MIAFTR meaning, and why is it important when buying a used car?

MIAFTR is a UK database called the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register that keeps track of vehicles that insurers have written off or reported stolen. It indicates whether a vehicle has previously sustained significant damage or poses an additional risk. When you are buying a used car, checking this record can help you steer clear of unsafe vehicles, hidden problems, and future trouble with insurance or when you sell it.

Is there a way to get an MIAFTR check free before purchasing a full vehicle history report?

Some online car history services let you run a free MIAFTR check that gives a basic warning if the car has a possible write-off or theft marker. This early check is useful because it helps you spot risk before you spend money on a full report, yet it does not usually show every detail, such as category, dates or finance. If anything looks wrong, buying the complete report is sensible, since it can confirm the exact status of the car and give you stronger evidence to walk away or renegotiate.

Car Write Off Check