Written Off Vehicle Registration

The purpose of the Written Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) is to:

• curtail trade in stolen vehicles by preventing the identifiers of written-off vehicles  being used to register a stolen vehicle;

• ensure that repairable written off vehicles undergo a thorough process of inspection and identification;

• ensure that vehicles assessed as being a statutory write off are not re- registered; and

• make information available to prospective buyers about whether a vehicle has previously been written off.

The WOVR is kept under the Road Transport (General) Act 1999. 

Registration of Statutory Written Off Vehicles

A vehicle which has been assessed as a statutory write off cannot be re-registered. A vehicle which has been assessed as a statutory write off may only be used as a limited source of spare parts or scrap metal.

Registration of Economic (Repairable) Written Off Vehicles

An economic repairable write off vehicle may be re-registered in the ACT. To register an economic repairable write off in the ACT an applicant must provide:

·          a passed ACT roadworthy inspection certificate;

·          a passed ACT vehicle identity inspection;

·          proof of ACT garaging address;

·          proof of identity;

·          proof of acquisition; and

·          previous numberplates allocated for the vehicle.

Please note that the RTA must refuse an application to register an economic repairable write off if the applicant is unable to provide satisfactory evidence of the vehicle’s ACT garaging address.
 

What's involved in the repair process? 

If a written-off vehicle affected by the legislation is to be repaired for registration in the ACT, the following must happen:
 

1.      The vehicle must be repaired according to manufacturer’s guidelines that relate to structural integrity and safety (or to recognised industry standards if there are no manufacturer’s guidelines), and
 

2.      Repairs must be certified as meeting appropriate standards by an appropriately licensed motor vehicle repairer.
 

Who can repair a written-off vehicle? 

Anyone can repair a written-off vehicle for the purposes of registration in the ACT.
 

Who can certify the repairs? 

To certify repairs to a written-off vehicle, a person must hold a licence granted by Fair Trading in a class relevant to the repair being conducted.
 

To certify repairs to electronic control systems (such as airbags or Anti-lock Braking Systems), a person must be approved by the vehicle manufacturer or the RTA.
 

The decision whether to engage in the business of issuing Certificates of Compliance is a business decision for the repairer.
 

Repairing a written-off vehicle

A motor vehicle is required to comply with the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs) current at the time of new manufacture. There are a now over 80 ADRs which apply to the design and construction of a vehicle. A number of these design rules can be affected when a vehicle is repaired after crash damage.
 

Vehicle manufacturers are continually improving the design and construction of motor vehicles, and repairers must be aware of:
 

§          the types of materials used in the construction, and

§          any particular repair processes specified by the vehicle manufacturer

Therefore when repairing a vehicle you must be aware of:

§          the effects the repair could have on the overall safety of the vehicle and its compliance with the ADRs, and

§          taking all necessary steps to return the vehicle to at least its pre-crash level of safety.
 

Non-licensed repairer performing repairs 

If you are planning to repair a written-off vehicle for the purposes of registration in the ACT and you are not a licensed repairer, you still must conduct the repairs according to manufacturer’s guidelines (or to recognised industry standards if there are no manufacturer’s guidelines).
 

The RTA recommends that you consult with a licensed repairer before starting repairs. The

licensed repairer may need you to do certain things during the repair process so they can make an informed decision regarding certification. They might ask you to:
 

§          allow them to do a series of inspections at key points during the repair process

§          keep a repair diary that describes the repair process

§          take photographs of the damaged areas before and after repairs

§          keep copies of the pages of relevant standards referred to during repairs

§          perform other requirements that are not listed here.
 

Licensed repairer performing repairs 

If you are a licensed repairer conducting the repairs it is acceptable for you to certify your own repairs. However you must still meet the requirements for certification listed in the next section.
 

Using parts from a written-off vehicle 

Below is a guide to acceptable use of written-off vehicles parts when conducting repairs.
 

Salvaged parts used to repair a written-off vehicle 

Some non-structural bolt on body parts (eg, guards, panels) salvaged from a written-off vehicle can be used to repair another written-off vehicle.

The matrix below lists parts acceptable for use in repairs according to the type of damage that the source vehicle has sustained.

Note: * next to an item means: 

§          only parts that were unaffected by fire or collision are acceptable for use in a repair

§          the repair certifier or the RTA may reject parts deemed not suitable

§          photographic evidence may be required to support that the part is eligible to be used. 
 

Sectionalised repairs 

Sectionalised repairs are permitted when repairing a written-off vehicle. The repairs must be carried out in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations or acceptable industry standards. 

The section used should be:

§          a new section supplied as a service assembly by the vehicle manufacturer, or

§          a suitable assembly removed from a new body shell as supplied by a vehicle manufacturer, Or

§          a suitable undamaged section salvaged from another vehicle of the same make, model and variant. 

The section must be of a similar age or newer, and in a sound and generally undamaged condition with no previous major repairs which could affect the strength of the basic structure.
 

Monocoque vehicles (chassis integrated with the bodyshell)

A monocoque bodyshell cannot be rebodied or repaired with a new bodyshell. However it can be repaired using replacement sections, provided original factory joins and welds are used.

Inspection - Roadworthy

All economic repairable write offs must first pass a roadworthy inspection at the Road Transport Authority or at any Authorised Inspection Station before a vehicle identity inspection can be conducted.

Inspection – Identity

An economic repairable write off must pass an ACT roadworthy inspection at an authorised inspection station and then undergo a vehicle identity inspection by the ACT Road Transport Authority prior to being registered. The identity inspection ensures vehicles have been repaired to manufacturer specifications and endeavours to prevent vehicles being registered that are stolen, re-birthed or have been repaired using parts from a stolen vehicle.

Supporting documentation that will be required when presenting a vehicle for inspection include:

o         Name and address and licence details and proof of identity of the person presenting the vehicle for inspection.

o         Name and address and licence details of the person / business that sold the damaged vehicle.

o         Passed roadworthy certificate issued by an ACT Authorised Inspection Station. 

o         An Australian Business Number (ABN) and a copy of the current Business Certificate relevant to the class of repairs made to the vehicle.

o         Receipt of sale / proof of acquisition; including name and address of purchaser, date of purchase, purchase price, vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, month and year of manufacture.

o         Structural and Safety Restraint (SRS) reports as required (these forms and further advice are available via links below.

o         Photographs of the damaged vehicle and a photographic work diary of the repair process.

o         Receipts including tax invoices for the purchase of parts and out sourced labour. 

Further information about these requirements can be found below.

Photographs of the damaged vehicle

The photographs of the damaged vehicle must be of the vehicle prior to sale, usually taken by the Insurance Company or the Auction House selling the vehicle through their Written Off Vehicle sales. These photographs may be available from the auction house. The Vehicle Identity & Inspection Unit will not accept downloads from the internet or photographs you have taken after you have possession of the vehicle.

 

A Photographic Work Diary is required to record the repair process including photos of the vehicle having a dimension check. Evidence of these dimensions being within the manufacturer’s tolerance must be provided. These checks must be performed with equipment recognised within the repair industry as suitable for the task. A photographic work diary is required when the vehicle repairs include the reconstruction of structural members or body sectional repairs effected to manufacturer’s specifications.  Structural damage to chassis rails / cross members / suspension and steering mounting points also require detailed photographic work diaries.

Vehicles that had structural damage

 

·          An original structural repair report must include all vehicle details (i.e. VIN number, registration number, make and model).

·          Vehicles having undergone structural/sectional replacement repairs or parts from a water immersed vehicles are to be left exposed for inspection.

During the inspection the inspector may require an engineering report addressing the structural integrity /strength of the vehicle has not been compromised.  A list of these engineering signatories is available at http://www.rego.act.gov.au/assets/PDFs/Light%20Vehicle%20Modifications%20in%20the%20ACT.pdf

·          For vehicles fitted a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) as fitted by the original manufacturer, only a report from a representative of the manufacturer (dealer) or an Authorised Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will be accepted by the Road Transport Authority.

Original receipts for the purchase of all major components.

These receipts must include:

o         the name and address of the person/ business that sold the parts;

o         the ABN of the business that sold the parts;

o         the date of purchase;

o         the purchase price (including a tax receipt);

o         the description of component/s including vehicle type (Ford, Holden, Toyota etc), left/ right/ front/ rear, inner/ outer;

o         the second–hand parts required and the VIN of the donor vehicle

o         the name and address of purchaser

Please note that second–hand parts sourced from donor vehicles can only be used if the vehicle is identified and the components are suitable for use, photographic evidence may be required.

Original receipts for the repair of the vehicle.

These receipts must include:

o         the name and address of the licensed insurance company approved repairer / business that repaired / inspected the damaged vehicle for correct repairs;

o         the current Business Certificate of the Licensed Repairer;

o         the ABN of the business that repaired the damaged vehicle;

o         the date of repairs;

o         the name and address of owner of damaged vehicle;

o         identification of vehicle being repaired;

o         details of all repairs and replacement parts undertaken in the repair;

o         a list of the parts supplied by repairer and the parts supplied by customer;

o         where the repairing or replacement of airbag/s is required, a report from that the system is complete and operational and is issued by a representative of the manufacturer (dealer) or an Authorised Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) accepted by the Road Transport Authority. This information must be provided using the Supplementary Restraint System Form available from the Vehicle Identity & Inspection Unit Phone (02) 6207 7227.

How to Apply

Vehicle inspection bookings (both roadworthy and identity) can be made by contacting Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. The Road Transport Authority's Inspection Station is located at the Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry, 13-15 Challis Street, Dickson ACT 2602. Bookings are essential.

Once all registration requirements have been met a person can make an application to register an economic repairable write off at any Canberra Connect Shopfront located at Dickson, Belconnen, Woden or Tuggeranong.

Application Forms

• Vehicle Damage and Structural Repair Report

• Supplementary Restraint System Report