THE QUICK ANSWER

A write-off check searches recorded insurance-loss information. A result with no record found is not proof that a car has never crashed. Check the country and category, ask for repair evidence, and have the vehicle independently assessed before deciding to buy.

A write-off is a recorded insurance decision

A car can be damaged without becoming an insurance write-off. Repairs may have been paid privately, or the event may not appear in the records searched. This is why a clean-looking report cannot replace looking at the vehicle.

Start by separating two questions: what is recorded about the car, and what condition is it in now? A history search helps with the first. A suitably qualified inspector helps with the second.

Irish and UK categories need context

The RSA provides guidance on Irish write-off categories. For a UK record, GOV.UK defines A as a vehicle to be crushed, B as a vehicle whose body shell must be crushed while some parts may be salvaged, S as repairable structural damage and N as repairable non-structural damage.

Do not treat a UK category as an Irish registration or roadworthiness decision. Ask what the category means in the country that recorded it and what requirements apply to the actual vehicle now.

Ask for evidence of the repair

Request photographs from before and during the work, itemised invoices and the repairer’s details. Ask an independent professional to assess the affected areas, including alignment, restraint systems and any relevant calibration work.

A folder of receipts is useful only if it relates to the same vehicle and the claimed repair. Check dates and identifiers. If the seller cannot explain a gap, record that uncertainty rather than assuming the best.

Consider insurance and resale before buying

Obtain an insurance quotation using accurate information about the vehicle. Ask what documentation the insurer needs. A lower purchase price may be less attractive once you account for investigation, repairs, insurance and later resale.

There is no universal discount that makes a recorded write-off a good deal. Set your own limit only after you understand the history and an independent inspection has clarified the condition. Walking away is a reasonable outcome when the evidence remains incomplete.

Sources & further reading

Public resources consulted for this guide. Links and availability can change. Checked 19 October 2026.

Our guides explain a buying process; they do not determine a particular vehicle’s condition or your legal position. Read our editorial policy.