What does it mean when a car’s ‘written off’?
After a car crash, we sometimes hear a vehicle’s been written off, but what does this mean?
A vehicle is considered written off if the cost of repairs to get it back on the road exceed its insured or market value, or it’s so severely damaged it’s no longer roadworthy.
Who declares a vehicle is a write-off?
It’s usually an insurer who determines if a vehicle is written off, but it can also be a car dealer, an auction house or a wrecker.
There are two types of write-off – statutory and repairable. Below, we cover the basic write-off regulations that apply to passenger and light commercial vehicles.
Repairable write-off (RWO)
An RWO is a vehicle that’s damaged to the extent that the cost of repair exceeds – or is near – its insured or market value, but if repaired properly it would be roadworthy.
An RWO can’t be re-registered until it’s inspected by the South Australian Government to determine the identity and roadworthiness of the vehicle.
To present a vehicle for inspection, you must provide a Repair Diary detailing all the work that’s been undertaken.
You can find out if a car you intend buying has ever been written off by checking the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). Keep in mind that written-off cars that are at least 15 years old might not appear on the register.
An RAA pre-purchase total care inspection includes a PPSR check.
Statutory write-off (SWO)
An SWO is a vehicle that’s suffered major damage, including structural, fire or flood damage, and can’t be registered again, even if repairs are undertaken.
A SWO can only be sold or acquired for wrecking or dismantling for salvage.
South Australian Written-off Vehicle Register (WOVR)
Once a vehicle’s declared a write-off, its details must be submitted for listing in the WOVR. Cars that are at least 15 years old don’t have to be listed in the WOVR.
A written-off notice must be attached as close as possible to the vehicle’s compliance plate.
If it’s an SWO, at least one statutory write-off warning notice must be affixed to a conspicuous part of the car’s body to warn potential buyers that the vehicle can’t be registered.
Penalty
While an SWO can’t be driven on the road under any circumstances, an RWO is permitted on the road if:
- It already passed inspection and has been re-registered
- It’s been issued with an unregistered vehicle permit or is displaying a trade plate and is only being driven to be repaired or inspected prior to registration.
Otherwise, the penalty for driving a written off vehicle is $380 plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy.
Do you have a car advice question?
RAA members can call our free Car Advice service.
Or call 8202 4689