Insurance write-off
A write-off marker is permanent. Make sure you know about it before you buy.
When an insurer decides a car costs more to repair than it’s worth, it gets a write-off category — A, B, S, or N. Categories S and N can be repaired and re-sold, but the marker follows the VIN forever. We check the official register so there are no surprises.
1 in 12
used cars have a write-off marker
Cat N
most common (non-structural)
22%
not disclosed by seller
The categories
Category A: scrap only, cannot be repaired. Category B: body shell must be crushed, parts can be salvaged. Category S: structural damage, repairable. Category N: non-structural damage, repairable. Only S and N cars can legally return to the road.
What to look for
Panel gaps that aren’t quite even. Paint that doesn’t match across adjacent panels. Airbag warning lights that stay on. Service history gaps that coincide with the write-off date. Suspiciously low prices on otherwise clean-looking cars.
How we check it
We query the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and MIAFTR databases for every recorded insurance event on the VIN. We return the category, the date, and — where available — the insurer and the type of damage that triggered the write-off.