Is the car a write-off risk? The motors most likely to be sent to the scrapheap by insurers

CARS being written-off have soared by 55 percent in the last three years because they're too costly to correct.

The average claim for any write-off was almost lb4,000 with insurers deeming them only fit for that scrapheap.

And owners of BMWs are most likely to see their motors delivered to the crusher, based on Warranty Direct.

Analysis from the firm's GAP insurance – which protects owners against a total loss – showed one in 10 crashes now produces a write-off.

Even if a car is repairable, insurance agencies are classifying it as a write-off since it is more expensive to put right than shell out.

That's because of the pricey materials and technology utilized on posh motors.

A low speed shunt that just causes minor damage can even result in a new car to be wiped off because of the high repair costs.

The Warranty Direct data revealed 17 per cent of BMW claims led to a trip to the breaker's yard – joint top with Ford.

Given the German maker builds higher value motors compared to Blue Oval its average claim hit lb4,286 – when compared with just lb2,377.

Mercedes and Vauxhall models were sent to the scrapheap in 11 per cent of claims with Audi in fifth.

The highest average claim value was for Merc (lb5,165) although one-off individual claims on record topped lb15k.

Simon Ackers, Warranty Direct's ceo, said: "It's clear in the recent steep increase in write-offs, advances in vehicle manufacturing and technology cannot always prevent irreparable damage."