Buying a written-off vehicle

Eliminate the risks

If you buy a car from a private seller and the car is later found to be stolen or there is money owing on it, you may lose both the vehicle and the money you paid for it.

Consumer Affairs Victoria provides a useful consumer guide for buying used vehicles. Their tips for buying vehicles can be found in the Better Car Deals: a Car Buyers Guide [PDF 1.8 Mb](External link) (PDF).

Checking if the vehicle is written-off

If you are unsure if the vehicle is recorded on the Written-off Vehicle Register (WOVR) in Victoria, check its history by doing a check on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) (External link).

Always ask if the vehicle has been written-off and get a written record of the answer from the seller.

Types of write-offs

For information on the types of write-offs and the Written-off Vehicles Register click on the link to visit the Types of written-off vehicles page.

Disclaimer

Occasionally, a delay may be encountered in the processing to record vehicles on the Written-off Vehicles Register. The vehicle you purchase may not have been placed on the Written-off Vehicles Register (WOVR) at the time of your enquiry. For this reason it is important to understand that when checking with VicRoads prior to purchase or before registration, the vehicle may be entered onto the WOVR at a later stage. A risk of buying a written-off or damaged vehicle that this may occur, and a Vehicle Identity Validation (VIV) certificate will be required to register or maintain the registration of the vehicle.

Important Note: If a vehicle has already been repaired and has not been subjected to a Vehicle Identity Validation (VIV) inspection, you should check that all repair receipts are available before you purchase it.

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.

Buying a repairable write-off that is already repaired

When buying a used vehicle whether from a private seller, a dealer or at an auction, check to see if the vehicle is in the same damaged condition as when it was written-off, or if someone has repaired the vehicle. Consider hiring a professional inspector and ask them to check for the quality of the repair and for any evidence of tampering with the vehicle’s identifiers if you are considering buying a repaired vehicle. Request written proof of what has been repaired, such as invoices for parts, repair work or a repair diary. This will also give you an idea on the extent of damage the vehicle incurred. Combining this information with your research will give you a good idea of what you are purchasing.

If you have checked with VicRoads that the vehicle has already undergone a VIV inspection and passed and it is now recorded as a inspected write-off it is not a guarantee that future problems will not occur with the vehicle. You should still exercise caution and be aware of the vehicle’s history.

At the point of purchase

When purchasing a damaged vehicle that is entered on the WOVR and is required to undergo a VIV inspection, as the buyer you should consider doing the following:

• take photos of the condition of the vehicle (or buy photos from the auction house if applicable)
• request any documentation on repairs
• retain your copy of the sales contract.

Photos should include overall shots of the exterior of the vehicle, divided into the front driver side, front passenger side, rear passenger side and rear driver side depicting the condition of the vehicle, with additional photos capturing any damage.

Photos of the interior must include the instrument cluster, steering wheel, dashboard, and photos of the general interior.

Undisclosed damage

Undisclosed damage is damage that may not be visible at the time of purchase or have not been disclosed to you at the time of purchase. Some damage may be deliberately concealed in an attempt to misrepresent the true cost of repairs. To minimise the risk of purchasing such a vehicle:

• get a qualified, third-party inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase
• request the inspector to check for damage, any tampering of the odometer and quality of repairs
• obtain a certificate specifying details of the inspection
• where possible, seek documentation on any damage and repair from the seller
• if in a driveable condition, listen for noises when you test drive the vehicle.

If you are a vehicle repairer or a buyer who is seeking more information on repair work, refer to the repairing a vehicle page. Buyers must also be aware that repaired vehicles may need to undergo a Vehicle Identity Validation (VIV) inspection before they can be registered in Victoria.