Repairable written-off vehicles

An economic repairable write-off means that repairs would cost more than the vehicle’s value.

You can re-register a repairable write-off if it was ACT registered before the write-off, and it passes inspections.

You cannot register a vehicle that is currently registered in another state or territory where the vehicle is listed as written off. To apply to register in the ACT, the vehicle must first be cleared by that jurisdiction.

‘Statutory write-off’ vehicles can’t be re-registered.

Read about written off vehicles.

Repairs

If you want to repair a written-off vehicle so you can register it in the ACT:

repairs must follow manufacturer's structural integrity and safety guidelines, or recognised industry standards
an appropriately licenced motor vehicle repairer must certify the repairs.

View the licenced motor vehicle repairer register.

Vehicles must comply with the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for their time of manufacture.

The Australian Government administers the ADRs. View the Australian Design Rules.

Repairers

Anyone can repair an economic repairable written-off vehicle.

Repairers must:

be aware of the types of materials used in the vehicle’s construction
be aware of any repair processes specified by the vehicle manufacturer
be aware of the effects the repair could have on the safety of the vehicle and its compliance with the ADRs
return the vehicle to manufacturers specifications or appropriate industry standards
meet the requirements of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000.

View the Australian Design Rules.

Non-licenced repairers

If you’re not a licenced repairer, you still need to follow manufacturer's guidelines, or recognised industry standards.

You should consult with a licenced repairer before starting repairs. Only a licenced repairer can certify the repairs during inspection.

They might ask you to:

allow them to do a series of inspections at key points during the repair process
keep a photographic records repair diary that describes the repair process
take photographs of the damaged areas before and after the repairs
keep copies of the pages of relevant standards referred to during the repairs
perform prescribed requirements that are not listed here.

Licensed repairers

If you are a licensed repairer, you can certify your own repairs during inspections.

You must hold a motor vehicle repairer licence in a class relevant to the repairs you’re making.

Read about vehicle repairer licences.

To certify repairs to electronic control systems such as airbags or anti-lock braking systems, you must be approved by the vehicle manufacturer or Access Canberra.

Using parts from a written-off vehicle

You can use some non-structural body parts from a written-off vehicle to repair another written-off vehicle.

The damage to the salvage vehicle will determine whether you can reuse those parts for repairs.

Engines

You can use a viable engine from a written-off vehicle for repairs, regardless of why it was written-off.

Parts from water-damaged vehicles

If the vehicle of origin was written off due to saltwater damage, you can reuse the:

mudguards
bonnets
suspension
interior/trims.

If the vehicle of origin was written off due to freshwater damage, you can reuse the:

mudguards
bonnet
suspension
interior/trims
chassis.

Parts from fire-damaged vehicles

You can use parts from vehicles written off due to fire damage if the parts themselves weren’t damaged by fire.

Those parts are:

mudguards
bonnet
doors
skirt rail sections
front sections (including front ‘A’ pillar, sill and floor sections)
rear sections (including rear ‘A’ pillar, sill and floor sections)
roof cut sections (including centre pillar)
engine cross member
steering column
suspension
interior/trims
seat frames/metal components.

The repair certifier or Access Canberra may reject the parts if they’re not suitable. You may need to provide photo evidence to prove the parts are viable.

Parts from collision-related write-offs

You can use parts from vehicles written off in a collision if the parts themselves weren’t damaged.

Those parts are:

mudguards
bonnet
doors
skirt rail sections
front sections (including front ‘A’ pillar, sill and floor sections)
rear sections (including rear ‘C’ pillar, sill and floor sections)
roof cut sections (including centre pillar)
engine cross member
steering column
suspension
interior/trims
seat frames/metal components
wiring looms.

The repair certifier or Access Canberra may reject the parts if they’re not suitable. You may need to provide photo evidence to prove the parts are viable.

Parts you can’t use

Regardless of how the vehicle of origin was written off, you can’t reuse these parts for repairs:

seatbelts
airbags
airbag modules
seatbelt pre-tensioners
instrument clusters and dash controls
control modules and supplementary restrain system sensors.

Sectionalised repairs

A sectionalised repair replaces a section of the vehicle body with a new or salvaged section.

The repair must follow manufacturer's structural integrity and safety guidelines, or recognised industry standards.

The section used for repair must be:

a new section supplied as a service assembly by the vehicle manufacturer
a suitable assembly removed from a new body shell supplied by a vehicle manufacturer
a suitable undamaged section salvaged from a vehicle of the same make, model and variant
of a similar age or newer
in a sound and generally undamaged condition with no previous major repairs which could affect the strength of the basic structure.

Monocoque vehicles

A monocoque bodyshell is a vehicle with a chassis integrated with the bodyshell.

You can’t repair or rebody a monocoque bodyshell with a new bodyshell.

You can replace sections if you use the original factory joins and welds.

Inspections

To re-register an economic repairable write-off it must pass a roadworthy inspection and then a complex vehicle identity inspection.

Depending on the age, type and use of the vehicle, other inspection requirements may apply.

Read about roadworthy inspections

Read about vehicle identity inspections

What you’ll need

As well as identification documents for you and your vehicle, you need to prove the safety and the origin of the repairs.

You’ll need:

an Australian Business Number (ABN) and a copy of the current business certificate relevant to the class of repairs
a receipt of sale/proof of acquisition. They should include the name and address of purchaser, date of purchase, purchase price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, month and year of manufacture
if applicable, a structural and supplementary restraint system (SRS) report
photographs of the damaged vehicle and a photographic work diary of the repair process
original receipts including tax invoices for parts and outsourced labour.

Original receipts for the repair of the vehicle

These receipts must include:

the name and address of the licensed insurance company approved repairer or business that repaired / inspected the damaged vehicle for correct repairs
the current business certificate of the licensed repairer
the ABN of the business that repaired the damaged vehicle
the date of repairs
the name and address of owner of damaged vehicle
identification of vehicle being repaired
details of all repairs and replacement parts undertaken in the repair
a list of the parts supplied by repairer and the parts supplied by customer.

You’ll also need original receipts for major components. The receipts need to include:

the name and address of the person or business that sold the parts
the ABN of the business that sold the parts
the date of purchase
the purchase price including a tax receipt
the description of components including vehicle type such as Ford, Holden, Toyota and left, right, front, rear, inner, and outer
the second-hand parts required and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the donor vehicle
the name and address of purchaser.

You can only use salvaged parts if you can identify the donor vehicle and the components are suitable for use. You must have evidence to prove their viability.

Reports and inspection conditions

You may need to supply additional reports.

Vehicles that had structural damage

If the vehicle had structural damage, you’ll need a structural repair report.

The report must include all vehicle details including the VIN, registration number, make and model.

They must use the Vehicle Damage and Structural Repair Report [PDF 223KB].

Vehicles repaired with parts from a water-damaged vehicle

If the repairs used parts or sections from a water-damaged vehicle, you’ll need to leave those parts exposed for inspection.

During the inspection the inspector may request an engineering report. The report needs to state the vehicle’s structural integrity and strength isn’t compromised.

Vehicles with new or repaired airbags

For vehicles fitted with a supplementary restraint system (SRS) – airbags – you need an SRS report from one of the following:

a representative of the manufacturer or dealer
an authorised original equipment manufacturer.

They must use the Supplementary restraint system report [PDF 179KB] form.

Vehicles that have suspension damage

If the vehicle has had any suspension damage or repairs a wheel alignment report showing actual vehicle specifications must be provided, including 1x vehicle identifier

Photographs

You need photographs of the vehicle in its written-off state and to document its repairs.

Photographs of a written-off vehicle before you bought it

If you’ve bought a written-off vehicle, the photos must be of the vehicle in its damaged state prior to purchase. You can request these from the insurance company that assessed the vehicle or the auction house selling the vehicle.

Access Canberra won’t accept downloads from the internet or photographs you took after you bought the vehicle.

Photographic work diary

A photographic work diary documents:

reconstruction of structural members or body sectional repairs to manufacturer or industry standard specifications
repairs to chassis rails, cross members, suspension and steering mounting points.

You’ll need a photographic work diary to record the repair process, including photos of the vehicle having a dimension check. You need to provide evidence the dimensions are within the manufacturer's tolerance.

You need to use equipment recognised as suitable within the repair industry.