Total Loss Car Value Calculator UK
Estimate your car’s pre-accident market value and expected insurance payout after a write-off. Covers all UK ABI categories with depreciation, mileage, and condition adjustments.
Vehicle Details
Enter your car’s details to estimate its pre-accident market value and insurer payout
The original on-the-road price when the car was new. Check the manufacturer’s website or Auto Trader.
Years since first registration. Partial years round down.
Reflects bodywork, interior, service history, and mechanical condition.
Cat A/B = scrap only. Cat S = structural damage (repairable). Cat N = non-structural damage.
Leave at 0 if unknown — the calculator will estimate based on category.
Write-Off Valuation
Pre-accident value, payout estimate, and salvage deduction
Enter your vehicle details above and click Calculate Write-Off Value to see your estimated insurance payout.
ABI Write-Off Categories Explained
The four ABI categories used by UK insurers to classify written-off vehicles, updated in 2017. Understanding your category is essential when challenging a valuation.
| Category | Salvage % | Damage Type | Can Return to Road? | DVLA Notification? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | 2–5% | Beyond economical repair — crushed in full | No — never | Yes — mandatory |
| Category B | 5–10% | Body shell must be crushed; salvageable parts only | No — never | Yes — mandatory |
| Category S | 15–25% | Structural damage (chassis, crumple zone, roof) | Yes — after certified repair | Yes — mandatory |
| Category N | 25–40% | Non-structural (cosmetic, electrical, airbags) | Yes — after repair | No (but marker added) |
Total Loss FAQ
The most important things to know about UK car write-offs, insurer valuations, and how to get a fair payout.
UK insurers calculate total loss value using the pre-accident market value (PAMV) — what a comparable car would sell for on the open market immediately before the accident. They use trade guides such as Glass’s, CAP, and Parkers, cross-referenced with actual market listings. Factors include make, model, age, mileage, condition, trim level, and service history.
The ABI uses four categories: Category A — scrap only, crushed and never returned to the road; Category B — body shell must be crushed, but parts can be salvaged; Category S (formerly C) — structural damage but repairable and can return to the road after repair and inspection; Category N (formerly D) — non-structural damage, can be repaired and returned to the road.
Yes. If you believe your insurer’s valuation is too low, you can challenge it by providing evidence of comparable vehicles for sale, recent auction results, and receipts for improvements or accessories. You can also request they use a different trade guide. If you remain unhappy, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
For Category S and N write-offs you can usually keep the vehicle. The insurer will deduct the salvage value from your payout. You will then need to repair it, have it inspected, and re-register it as a write-off with DVLA. The write-off marker stays on the vehicle’s history permanently.
A car is typically declared a total loss when the estimated repair cost exceeds 50–70% of its pre-accident market value, though this varies by insurer. Some use a strict 50% rule while others allow up to 100%. The threshold also factors in the availability of parts, structural safety, and engineer opinion.