Nobody wants to be involved in a car crash. Even if you emerge from the actual crash unscathed, the ongoing hassle of getting the car repaired or negotiating with the insurance company can go on for weeks. The outcome which nobody wants is to be told their car is a write-off. There’s a lot of confusion around this issue though, so here’s our guide to what it all means.

What does write-off mean?

Write-off means that the insurance company has assessed the cost of repairing your car, and decided that it’s more than the car is worth. There are different categories of write-off, and your options will depend on which category your vehicle falls into.

• Category A – this is for the most seriously damaged cars. If your car is a Category A write-off your only option is to have it scrapped and agree an amount with the insurance company for a replacement.
• Category B – these are cars which are less extensively damaged, but might be suitable for using as parts. Again, you won’t be able to do anything other than agree a fee with the insurance company.
• Category S – this category used to be known as Category C. These cars have been extensively damaged but aren’t unnecessarily unroadworthy. They might be able to be put back on the road with some professional repair work.
• Category N – this is the category previously known as Category D. A Category N or D write off hasn’t suffered structural damage. It could be an issue with something like the electrics which are costly to repair but don’t affect the car’s roadworthiness.

Implications for Buying a Written-Off Car

If your car is categorised as a S or N write-off, then you may have the option to keep the car and arrange to get the repairs done. This might be a good option if you’ve grown attached to your car, have a trusted mechanic who will do the repairs for you, and plan on keeping the car for the long term.

The fact that the car was previously an insurance write-off won’t ever be hidden though, and buyers who carry out a vehicle history check will be aware of its history. Most buyers aren’t fully aware of the different categories of write-off, and will just ignore your car entirely. It’s also something which may be an issue at your MOT test. Written off cars which have been repaired must come up to exactly the same standards as all other vehicles. It’s therefore crucial to make sure that whoever is putting the car back onto the road has experience in repairing write-offs and is also aware of the MOT guidelines.

Auctions and Written-Off Cars

If you decide that you don’t want to buy the car back from the insurer, then they have the option to put it through the auctions if it’s a Category S or N write-off. All you need to do as an owner is fill in the portion of the V5 form turning the ownership over to the insurer, and they’ll take care of the rest.