Experian data · £20k guarantee

Salvage auction check — see the hidden history.

Check if a used car has passed through a salvage auction. See damage descriptions, auction lot details and mileage at sale. Experian data with £20k guarantee.

Free scan shows MOT + mileage + advert red flags. Salvage check requires Full Vehicle Check (£9.99).

What CarVouch's salvage check includes

CarVouch's Full Vehicle Check includes salvage auction records from Experian, compiled from UK auction houses.

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Salvage status

Clean or salvage — instant verdict from Experian auction records.

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Auction lot details

Auction house name, lot number, and sale date (if recorded).

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Damage description

Brief description of the damage or reason for salvage sale.

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Mileage at auction

Recorded mileage when the car was sold at salvage — helps spot clocking.

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£20k Experian guarantee

If Experian data is wrong and you lose money, claim up to £20,000.

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PDF report

Download a shareable certificate with the salvage check result.

Why check salvage history before buying?

Salvage auctions handle vehicles that insurers, lease companies and fleet operators no longer want. Many are insurance write-offs (Cat S or N), but others are repossessions, end-of-lease returns, or vehicles with mechanical faults. Sellers are not required to disclose salvage history.

A common fraud: a trader buys a damaged car at salvage, repairs it cheaply, and advertises it online as "one owner from new, full service history, no accidents". The salvage record proves this is a lie. Buyers who discover salvage history after purchase often find the car is worth thousands less than they paid.

Salvage mileage also exposes clocking. If the car shows 45,000 miles at a 2022 salvage auction but the seller claims 32,000 miles today, the odometer has been wound back. This is criminal fraud under the Consumer Rights Act.

What to look for in a salvage record

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Damage type

Front-end damage, side impact, flood, fire, or mechanical failure — each carries different repair risks.

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Mileage consistency

Compare salvage mileage against today's odometer. Big gaps or reversals are red flags.

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Salvage category

Cat S/N means repairable. Cat A/B means it should not exist as a road-legal car — walk away.

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Time since salvage

How long ago was it sold at auction? Rushed repairs (days or weeks) are often poor quality.

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Repair evidence

Ask the seller for invoices for repairs. Legitimate repairers will provide receipts and photos.

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Price vs damage

A Cat S car is worth 30–50% less than clean. If the price is too high, walk away.

Salvage check — FAQs

A salvage auction check reveals whether a car has passed through a UK salvage auction (Copart, BCA Salvage, IAA, etc.). Salvage records often include damage descriptions, auction lot photos, and the mileage at sale — critical evidence of hidden accident history.

Not always. Many salvage vehicles are insurance write-offs (Cat S, N, A, B), but some are sold at auction for other reasons — repossessions, fleet disposals, or end-of-lease returns. Always check the damage description and insurance category.

A car that passed through salvage is worth 20–50% less than a clean equivalent. Sellers who buy salvage vehicles, repair them cheaply, and advertise them as "one owner, full history" can pocket the difference. Salvage records expose this fraud.

CarVouch's Full Vehicle Check includes salvage auction records and damage descriptions from Experian data. Auction photos are available in some cases, subject to licensing terms and data availability.

No. Salvage auction data is compiled by Experian from auction houses and insurers. Free DVLA and DVSA checks do not include this information. Only a paid history check can reveal salvage records.

It's not illegal to sell a repaired salvage car, but misrepresenting its history (claiming "no accidents" or "full main dealer history") is fraud under the Consumer Rights Act. Buyers can claim damages if mis-sold.

Check salvage history now

£9.99 Full Vehicle Check. Experian salvage, finance, stolen and write-off data. £20k guarantee. Instant PDF report.

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