Beware of Buying a Backyard Repaired Write-Off

VACC is aware of an increasing tendency by insurance companies to cash settle and then write-off motor vehicles after serious collisions that have caused structural damage, or damage to the complex systems now common in modern cars.

For the insurer, it may simply not be economic to repair a vehicle after a heavy crash, due to the high cost of repairs and components necessary to perform a safe repair.

The Government also regulates when a vehicle may be repaired; or, in cases of severe damage, when it can only be sold as parts and must never be put back on the road.

Vehicles that have been damaged severely are thus classified by insurers into two types of write offs: a statutory write-off, which is a vehicle that is so heavily damaged that it can never be repaired and put back on the road; and a repairable write-off which can be repaired and put back on the road, but only after subject to a VicRoads VIV inspection.

Vehicles written-off (both statutory and repairable) by insurers are generally sent by insurers to vehicle auction houses to be sold so that they can reclaim some value from the damaged vehicle.

VACC auto recyclers and some crash repair members often purchase written-off vehicles at auction to reclaim their serviceable parts, which are inspected carefully and commonly on-sold through the trade, or used to repair other vehicles.

Unfortunately, the auction system allows non-licensed members of the public to also bid for damaged vehicles. Some of these people run backyard wrecking or vehicle repair businesses, VACC Executive Director David Purchase said.

VACC is aware of some repairable write-offs being inadequately repaired by backyard operators and which subsequently can find their way back to our roads. This should not be allowed to occur.

VACC is also aware that some statutory write-offs are being declared repairable write-offs by insurers and sold as such. They are then repaired and find their way back onto the roads this is illegal and should not be allowed to occur.

In VACCs view, only licensed operators (LMCTs) should be permitted to purchase vehicles that have been written-off, either as statutory or repairable write-offs, he said.

This will then ensure that these vehicles do not fall into the hands of criminals who can use them for re-birthing stolen cars; it will also ensure that these cars are not purchased by backyard repairers, who commonly inadequately and incorrectly repair them before selling them as private sales, and others who run backyard wrecking operations.

VACC has been discussing this issue at length with VicRoads, insurers and the Government. We have not been able to persuade Government to legislate to restrict the sales of write-offs to licensed operators which, in VACCs view, exposes the community to risk, Mr Purchase said.

I think the insurance companies should be made to accurately write off these cars.

If they are beyond economic repair, then why should they still be available as a repairable write-off? Surely beyond economic repair means that it cannot be satisfactor

The problem with financial write offs is you take a VL sedan at the moment, not worth much. Has a minor bingle, say guard bonnet and door, with a repair bill of $2k. No structual damage etc. The insurance company pays the owner $1500, sells the car at auc

im not sure of other states but in nsw stat write offs are only applicable to cars 15 years and younger....so any car over 15 years old its up to the insurance company to decide wether they want to stat write it....i saw a 16 year old maloo ute that had i

Edited by user Friday, 1 August 2008 1:21:22 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified