Written-off vehicle register
What is the written-off vehicle register?
The written-off vehicle register records the details of vehicles 15 years or younger, that have been classified as written-off or 'wrecked' or are dismantled for parts or scrap metal.
Most vehicles stolen by professional thieves have a high value and are never recovered as they are either stripped for parts and the bodies dumped or they are 're-birthed' under new identities. The written-off vehicle register minimises the opportunities for illegal use of a vehicle's identifiers in the re-birthing of stolen vehicles.
What does the written-off vehicle register do?
The written-off vehicle register captures information about written-off vehicles that are 15 years or less, including:
- motor vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass up to and including 4.5 tonnes (t)
- trailers with an aggregate trailer mass of 4.5 t and over
- motorbikes
- caravans.
Written-off vehicle classifications
Written-off vehicles are classified either as a statutory or repairable write-off.
- Statutory write-off
A statutory write-off is too badly damaged to be repaired to a standard that is safe for road use. The vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number is recorded as a statutory write-off, and the vehicle is not allowed to be registered. These vehicles are only suitable for use as parts or scrap metal. - A repairable write-off
A repairable write-off has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. The vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number will be recorded as a repairable write-off and the vehicle will only be registered if it is repaired, passes a safety inspection, and passes a written-off vehicle inspection.
Read more detailed definitions of statutory and repairable written-off vehicles.
How do I know if the vehicle is currently written-off?
You can purchase a Vcheck (vehicle information check) which outlines if the vehicle is currently written-off.
What are my obligations?
Businesses that assess, buy, sell or repair written-off vehicles are required by law to notify the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Auction houses and motor dealers selling second-hand vehicles with a written-off classification need to notify the purchasers of the status. The vehicle must have a label adhered to it, which states whether it is a statutory or repairable write-off.
Individuals are required by law to notify the Department of Transport and Main Roads if their vehicle is written-off or is being dismantled and this hasn't been notified to the Department of Transport and Main Roads by an insurance assessor.
Who makes entries to the written-off vehicle register?
Organisations that work with written-off vehicles are required to notify the Department of Transport and Main Roads when a vehicle is written-off or dismantled for parts.
The majority of information supplied to the written-off vehicle register will come from insurance companies. If you fall in to one of the categories below you will need to become a written-off vehicle notifier:
- insurance companies
- auction houses that take possession of a written-off vehicle not currently recorded on the register
- motor dealers that take possession of a written-off vehicle not currently recorded on the register
- auto-part dismantlers taking possession of a written-off vehicle or dismantling a vehicle not currently recorded on the register
- loss assessors, assessing a vehicle for someone other than an insurer.
How do I become a written-off vehicle notifier?
Business, such as those mentioned above, that deal regularly with written-off vehicles will need to complete the Written-off Vehicle Notifier Registration/Amendment Application form (F4058) (PDF**, 57KB) and submit the completed application by post to the Vehicle Identification Unit, Floor 3, Transport House, PO Box 673, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006.What to do if it's a one-off case
Individuals and businesses that don't normally handle written-off vehicles but take possession of a vehicle that isn't recorded on the register will need to inform the Department of Transport and Main Roads. To do this, you must complete and lodge one of the below forms with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. This will cancel the vehicle's registration.
- Written-off Vehicle Notification (Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle — Individual) Form (F4069)
- Written-off Vehicle Notification (Caravan and Trailer — Individual) Form (F4070) (PDF**, 82KB)
If the vehicle is a repairable write-off and the owner wants to have it registered, a written-off vehicle inspection must be undertaken.
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is needed to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from the"Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF".
Last updated 10 June 2009
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