The short answer
A category car check looks up whether an insurer has recorded the car as a write-off, and in which category: A or B for cars that must never return to the road, S for structural damage, N for damage that is not structural, or C and D, the labels used before October 2017. A Cat S or Cat N car can be repaired and sold legally, but the record stays with it and affects its value and insurance. The write-off check is part of the Premium report (£7.99).
What does each write-off category mean?
- Category A: scrap only. Neither the car nor any of its parts may be used again.
- Category B: the body shell must be crushed, though some parts can be salvaged. The car itself never goes back on the road.
- Category S: the structure, such as the chassis or a crumple zone, was damaged. The car can be repaired and driven again.
- Category N: the damage was not structural, for example to panels, trim or electrics. The car can be repaired and driven again.
- Categories C and D: the labels used until October 2017, set by the cost of repair rather than the kind of damage.
Can a category car check show a car's accident history?
In part, and it helps to know where the line falls. When an accident leads an insurer to write a car off, the write-off is recorded, and the check finds it with its category and the date of the loss.
An accident that was repaired without a write-off, whether through a claim that did not total the car or paid for privately, leaves no write-off record. To check car accident history beyond that, look for panel gaps that differ from side to side, paint that does not quite match and overspray on rubber seals, and ask the seller for repair invoices.
Why does a write-off still matter after the repair?
A repaired Cat S or Cat N car is legal to drive, but some insurers will not cover one and others charge more. It is usually worth less than the same car with a clean record, and the asking price should show it.
With a Cat S car, the quality of the structural repair is what counts. Ask who did the work and for the paperwork, and have the car inspected by someone you trust before you agree to buy.
What does the damage record in the report show?
- Whether the car is recorded as an insurance write-off
- Its category: A, B, S or N, or the older C or D
- The date of the loss, where the record has it
As a car damage history check, it sits in the Premium report (£7.99) beside the finance and stolen checks, keepers, plate changes, the mileage verdict and a valuation. The stolen vehicle check explains the records that go with it.
How do you check a car's write-off category?
- Enter the registration and your email address in the form above.
- Confirm the make, model and colour match the car you are viewing.
- Pay for the Premium report (£7.99) by card or PayPal. The report opens at once and is emailed to you.
Questions buyers ask
Is it legal to sell a Cat S or Cat N car?
Yes. Both can be repaired and sold, and a dealer should tell you the category. Category A and B cars may never be driven on the road again.
What did Cat C and Cat D mean?
They were the categories used until October 2017. Cat C meant a repair would cost more than the car was worth; Cat D meant it would cost less, but the insurer chose to pay out instead. Both could be repaired and driven.
Will every accident show on a category car check?
No. Only accidents that ended in an insurance write-off are recorded as one. Damage that was repaired without a write-off leaves no write-off record.
Is a Cat N car a bad buy?
Not always. Cat N means the damage was not structural, and a well repaired car can be fair value at the right price. Expect it to be worth less, and get an insurance quote before you pay.
Is the write-off check free?
No. Write-off records come from a licensed data provider, so the check is part of the Premium report (£7.99).