01
The marker
A history report can show whether an insurer recorded a total loss, the category and—where supplied—the date.
The UK write-off decision guide
Has this car been written off?Know the category before you buy.
Enter a UK registration to identify recorded insurance total-loss history, then use our category guides to judge the repair, insurance and resale questions that a marker raises. Full history reports available.
Cat S & Cat N markersHistoric Cat C & Cat DWrite-off date & categoryOne-off report
Write-off category field guide
A marker is the start of your due diligence, not the end.
S
Category S: Structural
Repairable, but the structural repair needs evidence and inspection.
N
Category N: Non-structural
Repairable, but safety-critical parts may still have been damaged.
A
Category A: Crush
The entire vehicle must be destroyed and must not return to the road.
B
Category B: Break
The body shell must be crushed; only eligible parts may be salvaged.
A history check cannot assess repair quality. Always inspect a repairable write-off in person.
A · B · S · N
Category guidance
Experian-backed
History report
Official sources
Guidance linked
One-off check
No subscription
Use the record properly
A write-off check finds the history. It does not inspect the repair.
Category S and N vehicles can return to the road after repair, but the category alone does not grade workmanship or prove roadworthiness. Treat the data as a prompt for better questions, not a substitute for seeing the car.
02
The evidence
Invoices, photographs and an independent inspection help you understand what was damaged and how it was repaired.
03
The decision
Insurance cost, purchase price, resale value and your appetite for uncertainty determine whether the car makes sense.
Independent decision guides
Go deeper than the category letter
Each guide answers a different buyer question, with links to official UK guidance where the rules matter.
Category field guide01
Compare Cat A, B, S and N
See which categories can return to the road, what each marker says, and what it cannot tell you about repair quality.
Read the guideStructural damage02
How to assess a Cat S car
Work through repair evidence, structural inspection, alignment, insurance and resale questions before making an offer.
Read the guideNon-structural damage03
Why Cat N still needs care
Non-structural does not mean cosmetic. Steering, brakes, airbags and electronics can still be safety-critical.
Read the guideBuyer checklist04
Ten checks before you buy
Use a practical sequence covering identity, history, invoices, inspection, valuation, insurance and payment.
Read the guideWhat a Write-Off Check Helps You Establish
The report finds recorded history. Our independent guides help you decide what to ask next.
Recorded Total Loss
See whether available insurance-industry data records the vehicle as a previous total loss.
Write-Off Category
Identify the recorded category—A, B, S, N or a historic C/D marker—where that data is supplied.
Marker Date
Use the recorded date, when available, to compare the seller's explanation with the vehicle's timeline.
Wider Provenance
Review finance, stolen, plate-change, mileage and identity data in the full report—not the category in isolation.
Clear Limitations
Understand that history data cannot inspect workmanship, hidden corrosion, alignment or safety-system calibration.
Buyer Context
Use our guides to weigh inspection evidence, insurance terms, purchase price and future resale demand.
How It Works
Move from recorded history to an evidence-based buying decision.
Step 1
Check the registration
Enter a UK registration to match the vehicle and review its available history data.
Step 2
Interpret the category
Use the marker, date and category guide to understand which questions the record raises.
Step 3
Inspect the repair
Verify the paperwork, insurance and asking price, then arrange an independent inspection where appropriate.
Don't Risk Buying A Car With Hidden History
Enter the registration below to review the vehicle record, then unlock the Experian-backed history report if you need the write-off marker and category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about categories, repair evidence and what a data check can—and cannot—prove.