What Does it Mean if a Car is Salvaged?

When a vehicle is involved in an accident, stolen, or damaged (for instance, by flood or fire), the insurance company evaluates the cost of repair. If the repair costs exceed the vehicle's value (or a certain percentage of its value), the insurance company will write it off as a total loss.

These vehicles are then often sold at specialist salvage auctions. Many are repaired and put back on the road. A Salvage Check helps you identify if a car you are planning to buy has a hidden history of severe damage.

The UK Salvage Categories Explained

In the UK, salvage vehicles are classified into different categories based on the severity of the damage:

Category A (Cat A)

The vehicle must be crushed in its entirety. It cannot be repaired and no parts can be salvaged.

Category B (Cat B)

The vehicle cannot be put back on the road. However, non-structural parts can be salvaged and reused. The body shell must be crushed.

Category S (Cat S) - Structural

The vehicle has sustained structural damage (e.g., bent chassis or crumple zones). It is repairable and can be put back on the road, but it must be repaired by a professional.

Category N (Cat N) - Non-Structural

The vehicle has sustained non-structural damage (e.g., cosmetic dents, electrical issues, or broken lights). It is repairable and can return to the road.

Why Should I Perform a Salvage Check?

1. Safety: A poorly repaired Category S vehicle might not be safe to drive. 2. Value: Salvaged vehicles are typically worth 20% to 40% less than a clean-title vehicle. You don't want to overpay. 3. Insurance: Many insurance companies charge higher premiums for Category S and N vehicles, or refuse to cover them entirely.

How to Check a Vehicle's Salvage History

You can use our Salvage History Check tool to uncover the truth.

1. Enter the vehicle's Registration Number (VRM) or VIN. 2. Our system will scan millions of auction records. 3. If the vehicle was sold at a salvage auction, we will provide you with the auction details, damage classifications, and in many cases, actual photos of the vehicle in its damaged state before it was repaired.