The Written-off Vehicles Register is designed to deter vehicle theft and to ensure written-off vehicles are repaired to manufacturers’ specifications.
Vehicles recorded on the Written-off Vehicles Register are late model (not more than 15 years old) motor vehicles less than 4.5 tonnes and motorcycles.
It is a risk of purchasing a damaged or repaired vehicle, that the vehicle may be entered on the Written-off Vehicles Register after the date of purchase of the vehicle.
There are two types of written-off vehicles:
- statutory write-offs, or
- repairable write-offs
A vehicle that is recorded as a statutory write-off after 1 May 2002, cannot be re-registered and the vehicle identification number (VIN) cannot be reused.
A vehicle will be recorded as a statutory write-off if it is a total loss and so severely damaged that it should not be repaired. Only certain parts from statutory write-offs may be used to repair other vehicles. The following document provides a guide for the use of parts from water and fire damaged vehicles.
Water and fire damaged vehicles [PDF 63KB]
A vehicle that is recorded as a repairable write-off can be re-registered after it is repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards and its identity has been verified.
A vehicle will be recorded as a repairable write-off if it has been damaged to the extent that its salvage value plus the cost of repairing the vehicle for use on the road is more than its market value (i.e. total loss).
The current registration of a repairable write-off will be cancelled once it is entered on the Written-off Vehicles Register.
You will need to obtain a Certificate of Roadworthiness and a Vehicle Identity Validation (VIV) certificate and present these to VicRoads. The vehicle may also require an inspection at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
If you wish to transfer a vehice once it has been registered, you must complete the section of the transfer application form certifying that you have advised the purchaser that the vehicle has previously been a written-off vehicle.
For general information on how to register a vehicle and what to bring to your appointment at VicRoads refer to the 'How to register or transfer' webpage. Please note: when registering a written-off vehicle you must bring a Certificate of Roadworthiness, and a VIV certificate to your appointment in addition to the standard documentation required for registering a vehicle.
A VIV certificate is a document issued by a VicRoads VIV inspector after inspection of the vehicle to ensure that the identity of a repairable write-off is that of the previously damaged vehicle, and not that of a rebirthed stolen vehicle, and that the vehicle has been repaired to manufacturer’s standards.
You must make an appointment and take your vehicle to the nominated VicRoads VIV inspection centre. Inspections will only be conducted on vehicles that are booked through VicRoads VIV Booking Service.
Bookings must be made at least 7-10 days in advance, by telephoning VicRoads VIV Booking Service Tel: 13 2843 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.45 pm)
NOTE: VIV inspections are conducted by appointment only. You cannot specify which VIV inspection centre you wish to attend.
You must have the following information when making an appointment:
- your driver licence number and name
- the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, colour and registration number (if known)
- fax number, home address
A VIV booking confirmation sheet will be faxed (or posted) to you. The sheet informs you of all requirements and conditions of the vehicle inspection. The booking service will allocate an inspection centre and advise you in writing where and when to take the vehicle.
The vehicle will be required to be at the VIV inspection centre for a whole day. In some instances the vehicle may be required for a longer period.
You are not allowed to be present during the inspection process, so you should be prepared to leave the vehicle until the inspection is finished.
If you cannot attend a VIV appointment in person, you must appoint an agent to act on your behalf. The agent must provide a letter of authority from you which includes the following:
- the vehicle’s registration number (if known), VIN and engine number,
- the agent’s name and driver licence number.
The agent will be required to provide evidence of identity when he/she drops off and picks up the vehicle.
The vehicle must be roadworthy and in a "ready to register" condition and not require additional repairs.
The following documents are minimum requirements and subject to amendment from time to time:
- an unregistered vehicle permit (unless a trade plate is used) or tow truck or trailer details
- driver licence
- proof of purchase of vehicle: tax invoice / receipt (must contain vehicle’s VIN) and business ABN (if applicable)
- proof of ownership: receipt / registration papers /sales contract
- tax invoices and itemised receipts for all repairs conducted as well as for all replacement parts used during repair (must contain business ABN)
- a completed accident damage repair report for crash damaged vehicles. This is a written report/repair diary and photographs detailing how the vehicle was repaired.
- photos taken prior to and during repairs.
- copy of the manufacturers’ repair instructions.
For vehicles repaired by the owner, in addition to all of the above:
- a statutory declaration detailing repairs conducted and the method;
- photos taken prior to and during repairs
For vehicles purchased already repaired, in addition to the above:
- documented evidence of repairs and the repairer;
- a statutory declaration detailing the place of purchase and contact details of the seller;
- any information/documents/photos on the history of vehicle
If photographs of the vehicle prior to repair are not supplied, the VIV inspector may request a customer to obtain photographs from the auction house where the vehicle was purchased. Some auction houses will charge a fee (approximately $40) and there will be a 48-hour turnaround. It is the customer’s responsibility to obtain and pay for this information if it is required.
Receipts will be retained by the VIV inspector until the VIV inspection is completed. Receipts for substantial body parts (e.g. chassis rails, front or rear sections) must contain the VIN of the vehicle from which the parts were obtained. A VIV inspector may refuse to accept as evidence of repairs, a receipt provided by a licensed second-hand dealer that fails to reference the vehicle from which the parts were derived.
After the vehicle is first inspected, the inspector may request that you obtain a structural and/or body measurement report detailing the actual vehicle measurements and a copy of the manufacturer’s specifications for comparison. This could be as a result of current or previous structural damage to the vehicle; poor repair/welding; or crumpled rails/body work.
If the vehicle has been water immersed or an SRS device (e.g. airbag) has deployed or is faulty, a complete Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) inspection and report (including ECU check) from an authorised dealer will be required before a certificate can be issued. The VIV inspector will provide you with the relevant forms at the time of inspection.
If the vehicle is a fuel contaminated vehicle on the written-off vehicle register, please refer to the
Fuel-contaminated vehicles recorded on the written-off vehicle register [PDF 13KB] information bulletin.
If a vehicle fails a VIV inspection for identity reasons, it will be referred to the Victoria Police Organised Motor Vehicle Theft Squad for inspection.
Many traditional 4WD vehicles and light truck based commercial vehicles have a separate body and chassis. A variety of repair methods can be used depending on which component is damaged. The same principles apply for a replacement frame for a motorcycle.
Repairable write-off table [PDF 51KB]
A VIV certificate is valid for three months; only a current VIV certificate will be accepted when registering a vehicle.
Customers must present an original VIV certificate to VicRoads; photocopies cannot be accepted.
| Transaction |
Fees |
| VIV Inspection fee |
$484 |
| VIV re inspection fee |
$87.50 |
| VIV Inspection cancellation fee |
$68 |
Additional inspection charges may apply if the vehicle is
- not in a roadworthy condition or
- not in a ready to register state or
- if it requires additional repairs.
If the vehicle has not been adequately repaired, the inspector may also request you obtain a structural repair report – this will include a diary of repairs. If this process is completed within 10 working days, a re-inspection fee will apply. If greater than 10 working days, the full VIV inspection fee will be applied.
Before you purchase a second-hand vehicle, you should check its written-off status by telephoning VicRoads on 13 11 71 with the VIN/chassis engine number and registration number (if known).
Remember, if you purchase a vehicle recorded as a statutory write-off after 1 May 2002, it cannot be registered and can only be used for parts or recycling. If a vehicle has already been repaired, before you purchase it you should check that all repair receipts are available.
For further information, call VicRoads 13 11 71.