You cannot reliably check for a write-off marker for free. The free MOT history and DVLA vehicle enquiry service do not show it. The marker comes from insurer data, which a paid check reads. Free tools can still give useful clues, and the V5C may show a category on some cars.
- The free MOT history shows tests and mileage, not insurance write-offs
- The DVLA vehicle enquiry service shows tax and MOT status, not write-off history
- Write-off records come from insurer data, which is what a paid history check reads
- A V5C can record the category on a Cat S car, but paperwork can be missing, old or altered
- Free clues help you decide whether to pay for a check, but they do not replace one
- A write-off check from £9.99 costs far less than discovering a hidden Cat S or Cat N after you buy
Why isn't there a free write-off check?
An insurance write-off is recorded when an insurer decides a damaged car is uneconomical to repair and categorises it as A, B, S or N under the ABI's salvage code. That decision is held in insurer-sourced records, not in the MOT database or in the DVLA's public vehicle enquiry service.
Companies that pay to access those records charge for the lookup. Sites that advertise a "free write-off check" usually show basic vehicle details and then ask you to pay to see the write-off result. That is not a lie, but it is not a free answer either.
GOV.UK's consumer guide to buying repaired written-off vehicles says that a private history check will tell you if the vehicle has been stolen, has outstanding finance, has a mileage discrepancy or has previously been written off.
What free checks can tell you
The free MOT history
The MOT history service shows each test, whether it passed or failed, the mileage recorded and, for vehicles tested in England, Scotland and Wales, what failed and any minor problems. It does not show a write-off marker.
It can still hint that something is wrong:
- A long gap in MOTs or a sudden change in the pattern of tests may line up with a period off the road
- A big change in advisories, or repeated work on the same area, may suggest earlier damage
- A mileage that goes down between tests is a red flag for clocking, which our mileage fraud guide covers
None of these proves a write-off. They only tell you to look harder.
The DVLA vehicle enquiry service
The free DVLA vehicle enquiry service confirms the make, colour, tax and MOT status for a registration. Use it to check the car matches the advert. It does not show insurance write-offs. For a wider look at what free tools do and do not cover, read Is There a Free HPI Check?
The V5C log book
GOV.UK says that to keep a Cat S vehicle, the owner applies for a duplicate V5C using form V62 so DVLA records the category in the log book. So a V5C may show a Cat S marker. It is worth reading carefully, and it should match the car:
- Check the VIN on the V5C against the plate on the car
- Check the keeper and the date the keeper took over
- Be wary of a missing V5C, a photocopy or a seller who says it is "in the post"
Do not treat a clean V5C as proof of a clean history. Cat N cars keep their log book without the same extra step, and a V5C can be missing or old. Our V5C fraud guide explains the risks.
Ask the seller and look at the car
Ask directly whether the car has ever been written off or had a major accident. Ask for repair invoices and photographs. Then look for signs of earlier damage:
- Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint
- Overspray on trim, rubber seals or glass
- New-looking bolts or disturbed paint around fixings
- An airbag warning light that stays on
These checks are useful, but a good repair can hide all of them.
What a paid write-off check adds
A write-off check looks up the registration against records of insurance write-offs. It shows whether the car has a recorded category, which category it is and when it was recorded. It lets you see a Cat S or Cat N history even when the advert and the seller say nothing.
You can also check a specific category. A Cat N check and a Cat S check are available from £9.99. A full car history check adds outstanding finance, stolen status and mileage in the same report.
What each category means for you
| Category | What it means | Can it be on the road? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Cannot be repaired; the whole vehicle must be crushed | No |
| B | Cannot be repaired; the body shell must be crushed, but parts can be salvaged | No |
| S | Structural damage, repairable | Yes, once repaired to a roadworthy condition |
| N | Non-structural damage, repairable | Yes, once repaired to a roadworthy condition |
Source: GOV.UK, insurance write-offs. If a check comes back with S or N, read Cat N vs Cat S and then decide whether the price reflects the history. If it comes back with A or B, a car with that marker should not be on the road.
Is it worth paying for a write-off check?
A check costs from £9.99. Buying a car without knowing about a write-off history can affect insurance, resale value and safety, and the history cannot be removed. The check is the cheapest part of the whole purchase. Do it before you travel to view, so you do not waste a trip on a car you would walk away from.
A sensible order is:
- Use the free MOT history and DVLA vehicle enquiry service to confirm the car matches the advert and to spot odd patterns
- Run a paid write-off check by reg
- View the car, check the V5C and VIN, and ask for repair evidence
- For any write-off car you are still considering, arrange an independent inspection
Frequently asked questions
Can I check if a car is written off for free?
Not reliably. The free MOT history and DVLA vehicle enquiry service do not show write-off records. They can give clues, but the write-off marker needs a paid check.
Does the MOT history show a write-off?
No. It shows tests, results and mileage.
Will the V5C show if a car was written off?
It may show a category on a Cat S car, because DVLA records the category in the log book once the owner applies for a duplicate. Do not rely on it alone.
Can a written-off car pass an MOT?
Yes. Cat S and Cat N cars take the normal MOT when one is due. The MOT tests roadworthiness, not repair quality.
What is the most reliable way to check?
A write-off check by registration number, before you view the car, followed by an independent inspection if the car has a Cat S or Cat N history.