Undertaking a salvage check on a car you’re thinking of buying is very important. It can reveal a hidden past that the seller may not be transparent about, or even aware of. A salvage check comes as standard with a Total Car Check Silver or Gold Check.
What is a salvage car?
A salvage car is a vehicle that has sustained significant damage. The insurer typically classifies it as a write-off and becomes the car’s legal owner. The car will then either be sold at a salvage auction, or scrapped – depending on how much it’s damaged.
What is a salvage check?
A salvage check scans websites to see if a car has been advertised for sale on salvage auction sites. Total Car Check’s Salvage Check provides a link to any advertisement found with images of the damaged car.
What is a write-off check?
Total Car Check also provides a write-off check. This scans the car’s registration number against the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR). MIAFTR is an industry database used by insurers to record write-offs and thefts. If there’s a match then we will tell you and show details of the write-off in the report.
Why is a salvage check so important?
There’s several reasons why it’s a must that any vehicle check you purchase includes a salvage check:
- Provides another source of information that can help determine if a car has been previously damaged.
- Helps to identify if a car was damaged before an insurer reports the vehicle as written off. There can be a period of time between when the accident took place and when a write-off is registered. A salvage check helps to bridge this gap, which unscrupulous sellers take advantage of.
- Helps to find out if a car has been damaged that is not written off. Not all cars that appear in salvage auctions have been written off. But it’s good to know if a car you’re thinking of buying was once in a poor state of repair.
What happens if I buy a salvage car?
The car might look like it’s in good condition, but if it has been written off or was once badly damaged it could be:
- Not legally roadworthy
- Unsafe to drive
- Worth much less than what you bought it for
So always make sure that you run a full vehicle history check on a vehicle that includes a salvage check.
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