Insurance write-offs and SORN
When an insurer writes a car off, the tax is cancelled and DVLA needs to know. What happens next depends on the category, and on whether you keep it.
Write-off categories
| Category | Meaning | Back on the road? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Scrap only | No, must be crushed |
| B | Break for parts, body crushed | No, the vehicle itself can't be used again |
| S | Structural damage, repairable | Yes, after professional repair |
| N | Non-structural damage, repairable | Yes, after repair |
Telling DVLA
GOV.UK says you send the V5C to your insurance company but keep the yellow "sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade" section, and tell DVLA your vehicle has been written off. You can be fined £1,000 if you don't (Scrapping or written off). Any vehicle tax is cancelled and full months refunded.
Keeping a Cat S or Cat N car
If you buy the car back from the insurer:
- It must be taxed or SORN while it's yours. Make a SORN while it's being repaired (how to SORN).
- Get it repaired properly. Cat S cars need structural repair to a safe standard.
- Tell DVLA about the repair as GOV.UK describes. The category stays on its history.
- MOT, insure (declare the category) and tax it.
Buying a write-off
Cat S and N cars can be good value but always:
- ask directly about the category (it should be disclosed)
- check the MOT history for failures and mileage gaps around the accident (full MOT history check)
- have it inspected by someone you trust
- tell your insurer. Some won't cover written-off cars
Scrapping instead
If you're scrapping a written-off car you own, use an authorised treatment facility and get a certificate of destruction (scrapping a SORN car).
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