Accident Check
An accident check tells you whether a UK vehicle has been involved in a crash serious enough to be recorded by an insurer. Enter the registration above for an instant free DVLA and MOT lookup, then upgrade to the £9.99 premium report to see insurance write-off categories, damage type and the recorded date of loss.
What an accident check actually shows
There is no single UK 'accident database' open to consumers. What does exist is MIAFTR — the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register — which logs every vehicle written off by a UK insurer along with the category of damage (structural or non-structural), the date of loss and, where shared, the damage type. The RegRadar premium report queries this data and flags every recorded loss.
Why accidents go unrecorded
Not every crash makes it onto a register. If the owner paid for repairs privately rather than claiming on insurance, no marker is created. That's why an accident check is one tool among several — combine it with a close physical inspection (panel gaps, paint depth, mismatched bolts) and, on higher-value cars, an independent inspector.
Reading the result
If the report shows a write-off marker, you'll see the category (Cat S, N, C, D, A or B), the date of loss and the damage type if shared. Cat N is typically non-structural cosmetic or mechanical damage. Cat S means structural repair was required. Cat A and Cat B vehicles should never legally return to road use.
What to ask the seller
If the report flags an accident, ask the seller directly: did you declare this to me? Do you have the repair invoices? Was the work done by a manufacturer-approved bodyshop? A seller who is transparent about a Cat N repair backed by paperwork is very different from one who didn't mention the write-off at all.
What an accident check is not
It is not an MOT, not a mechanical inspection, and not a guarantee that the car is free of damage. It is a data report on what UK insurers have logged. Use it alongside the MOT history (which shows wear and tear over time) and a thorough in-person check.
Frequently asked questions
Will every accident appear in the check?
Only accidents serious enough for the insurer to write the vehicle off appear on MIAFTR. Minor knocks repaired privately or through bodyshops without a claim will not show up.
Is the accident check free?
Insurance write-off data is commercial and only appears in the £9.99 premium report. Any site offering it for free is misrepresenting its sources.
How accurate is the data?
MIAFTR is the industry-standard register used by UK insurers themselves. There can be a short reporting delay after a recent loss; for very recent purchases a fresh report is worth running.
Should I avoid every car with a write-off marker?
Not necessarily. A well-repaired Cat N car at the right discount can be a sensible buy. Cat S needs more scrutiny and documentation. Cat A and Cat B should not be on the road.