SearchHunts

TheRealReg › Write-off check

Data provided by Experian

Write-off check

Find out whether a car has an insurance write-off recorded, and its category. It comes with the full report, with finance, stolen and salvage auction checks.

AB14 CDEAudi RS4 B8Example

Finance & write-off checks

Insurance write-off recorded: Category SLoss on 14 Feb 2022, cause: accident
No outstanding finance recordedData provided by Experian
Not recorded as stolenData provided by Experian
No salvage auction recordsData provided by Experian

What the check shows

What the write-off check covers

The checks are made when you unlock the full report, using data provided by Experian. A record is something to ask about, and we say what to ask.

Insurance write-offs

Whether an insurer recorded the car as a loss, its category (such as S or N) where there is one, the date and the cause.

Full report

Outstanding finance

Whether finance is recorded against the car, which can stay with it when it’s sold.

Full report

Stolen

Whether it’s recorded as stolen now, or was in the past.

Full report

Salvage auctions

Whether the car has been through a salvage auction.

Full report

Scrapped, exported, high-risk

Whether it’s recorded as scrapped, exported or imported, or carries a high-risk marker.

Full report

Keepers and plate changes

How many keepers it’s had, the last change of keeper, and any plate changes.

Full report

Free and paid

What’s free and what’s in the report

The write-off check comes with the full report. Looking the car up first is free, so you can see its MOT history and mileage before you pay.

Free lookup

£0

Enter a registration. No account needed.

  • MOT history from DVSA
  • Mileage check against each MOT
  • Tax and MOT status from DVLA, where held
  • Asking prices for similar cars
  • The adverts we’ve seen for the car (each one with a free account)

Full report

Everything

£11.99 / car

or 3 for £24.99

The full picture of one car

  • Finance, write-off, stolen and salvage auction checks (data provided by Experian)
  • Keepers and plate changes (data provided by Experian)
  • Its valuation from Vehicle Data Global
  • Its history: older adverts from other sites
  • What to offer, and questions for the dealer
  • A report to download
  • Anything you’ve already paid for this car counts towards it

Comes with Experian’s £10,000 Data Guarantee against the data Experian provides (see our Terms).

3 full reports

Best value

£24.99 / 3 cars

Comparing a few cars?

  • A full report on 3 cars of your choice
  • £8.33 a report, saving £10.98
  • Use them whenever you like: they don’t run out
Get 3 reports

Finance, write-off, stolen and salvage auction checks: data provided by Experian.

Questions

What do the write-off categories mean?
Category A and B cars must be scrapped or broken for parts. Category S (structural damage) and N (non-structural damage) can be repaired and go back on the road. Older records may say C or D.
Is the write-off check free?
No. It’s in the full report, £11.99, or 3 reports for £24.99. Looking up the car, its MOT history and its mileage check are free.
Where does the data come from?
The finance, write-off, stolen and salvage auction checks use data provided by Experian, and come with Experian’s £10,000 Data Guarantee against that data. The guarantee is Experian’s, on Experian’s terms: see our Terms.
Should I avoid a car with a write-off record?
Not always. A repaired Category S or N car can be a sound buy, but it’s worth seeing the repair paperwork and having it inspected. The report says what to ask.
I’ve already bought this car’s History or Valuation. Do I pay the full £11.99?
No. Anything you’ve already paid for a car counts towards its full report.

Check a car before you buy it

Free to look up. See what reports cost.