Thread: Australian insurance write offs

Anyone in the trade with any knowledge of these?
How can I find out why a vehicle was written off? Is it a "don't touch with a barge pole" situation or are there decent deals to be had?
I understand they have to be signed-off by a Certified Light Vehicle Repair Specialist but is that any guarantee and would a vehicle check by an independent mechanic be worthwhile as well?

Any and all advice welcome

Thanks
Mac

i am just finishing up a mazda 3 brought in from oz written off . find a certifier and show him the pics before you buy make sure it will get thru cert process once its all done repairs must be done at a structural repair center not your local bog shop welding must be done by someone with I-CAR welding cert if repair specs say spot weld the spot weld must be done the exact amount of welds must be done in the exact place as per repair spec .... certifier needs images of complete repair process to certify repair was done to spec (cut and join in the right spot correct method of welding , spot plug stitch or lap etc . correct rust prevention and use of sealers sound deadners anti vibration foam etc) genuine parts only acn be s/h NOT aftermarket. do the maths make sure the cost and stress involved is worth the effort .....make sure the vehicle will meet the safety standard otherwise you will just be throwing your money away.( some vehicles will never pass the standard ....eg. godzilla skylines)

Oh just to clarify, it's already here at a dealer

Just ask for a copy of the repair cert, will show you the damage, what was replaced etc..
Most of them come from NSW, they write them for anything even a dent in the bumper..
Have done a few myself and it’s quite a strict process to get back on the road as mentioned above.

If the numbers of these type of vehicles passing through my workplace each month is anything to go by, it is a big business for someone.

I did this a few years back with a 2011 Hilux that was written off because of a right front impact. All suspension on that corner had to be replaced and chassis had to be put on a chassis bed and straightened, certifier then decided it had to have a brand new radiator support panel put in as old one was repaired fine (very minimal damage) but that's what he decided. Was a bit of a run around and I was fortunate to have a mate that worked at a certified repairer with a chassis bed etc who did it all as mates rates after work and in the evenings. All up the truck cost me 11k and then 7k worth of repairs and certification etc. The repairs would have been around the 13k mark if I paid full retail which would start pushing it up around the 24k mark for the truck which was getting close to what they were worth anyhow.

As @Pengy says the last month we’ve processed over 45 write offs . Some are hail damage , broken bummers , and the last 7 from the last car boat are forklift only and are rooted. Holdens ,rangers . I do believe they have to state they are Ozzie write offs when selling , unsure if the have to go into detail.

Worst one was a Rapter with 12ks on it , top of a transporter and a low bridge ..

If they are changing the law re scrapping for parts only , then they should be changing the law re importing them covered in mud, grass ,gum leaves ,red backs , ants and bio security hazards! Ozzie imports are bloody disgusting most of the time. Last boat saw 8 going into fume..for ants and spiders! Another we scrapped 25kg of mud off before we washed it!

Originally Posted by stingray

If they are changing the law re scrapping for parts only , then they should be changing the law re importing them covered in mud, grass ,gum leaves ,red backs , ants and bio security hazards! Ozzie imports are bloody disgusting most of the time. Last boat saw 8 going into fume..for ants and spiders! Another we scrapped 25kg of mud off before we washed it!

Faaaark

You also have no manufacturers warranty once they are write offs

I'm sure most of them are fine but I wouldn't touch one unless I was involved in the whole process. They hold no re-sell value, the few people I have dealt with lately regarding HSV's and then talk to the so called repairer who has a very good rep and be told he has only done the minor works.......the importer has done all the cut and paste shit.