Auto Trader; which is the first port of call for most people looking to purchase a used car has announced plans to flag-up any car being sold on its website which has been the subject of a category C or D insurance write-off.

The move follows an agreement to use Motor Insurance Anti Fraud and Theft Register data in an automated process on all dealer advertised stock. Affected cars will be highlighted with a yellow circle displaying either the letter C or D, the icon will be presented on every page listing the car, including searches on mobile devices.

Similar changes will be applied to motorcycles and vans in the near future. “Dealers are already required by law to declare category C or D cars to buyers, and many have approached us calling for this change,” said Jason Biffin, Auto Trader consumer marketplace director. “We have worked closely with them to set up a fully automated process to make it as easy as possible. The prominent icon will also benefit consumers, delivering a message of caution, enabling them to make a fully informed decision about the vehicle they intend to buy.”

Although category C or D write-off are not necessarily unsafe or beyond repair, Auto Trader said it is encouraging dealers to provide as much information as they can about the car’s condition. Many buyers are also unclear about what each category means, so the icon can be hovered over to reveal further information.

The term ‘written off’ is applied to cars that suffer accident damage, but which are not repaired at an insurance company’s expense. Each is assigned a rating from A to D. Category A and B cars are destined only for scrap, the accident damage being so severe that they are deemed too unsafe to be allowed back on the road. Auto Trader does not list category A or B cars anywhere on its site.

Category C write-offs can return to the road following repairs to significant damage, however the cost to repair is more than the value of the car, so is not economically viable for the insurer. Category D write-offs have also suffered damage and, albeit repairs won’t exceed the car’s value, the total costs in settling a claim are deemed excessively high.

Orignial Story Taken from Motor Trader – http://www.motortrader.com/latest-news/auto-trader-highlight-write-offs/