Written-Off Vehicle Check
Has the car been written off?
Statutory and repairable write-offs, plus damage that was never written off.
A written-off vehicle check searches the national Written-Off Vehicle Register for a car's VIN. It tells you if an insurer declared the car a total loss after an accident, flood, hail or fire, and whether it was classed as a statutory or repairable write-off.
What a MotorRegistry report shows
- Written-off status from the national Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) Every report
- Write-off type (statutory or repairable), date and damage details where recorded Every report
- Official PPSR certificate Every report
- Damage assessments we hold, including damage that was repaired and never written off Comprehensive Plus
- Past sales and auction listings, often with photos of the damage Comprehensive Plus
Every MotorRegistry report includes the official PPSR certificate plus finance owing, written-off, stolen and registration checks. See every tier side by side on the compare page.
What a written-off vehicle check shows
When an insurer decides a damaged vehicle isn't worth repairing, it declares the vehicle a total loss and the write-off is recorded on the national Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR). The register records the VIN, the date and the type of write-off, and often the kind of damage involved: collision, flood, hail, fire or malicious damage.
Every MotorRegistry report checks the register and explains the result in plain English. You can read more about the register itself on our WOVR check page.
Statutory and repairable write-offs
| Statutory write-off | Repairable write-off | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | Damaged beyond safe repair. | Uneconomical for the insurer to repair, but repairable. |
| Can it be registered again? | No. Parts or scrap only, anywhere in Australia. | In some states and territories, after repairs and a written-off vehicle inspection. |
| Does the record go away? | No. | No. The write-off stays on the vehicle's record after it's repaired. |
A repaired write-off that has passed its inspection can be legally driven and sold. It is usually worth considerably less than the same car without a write-off, can be harder to insure and harder to resell. Rules for re-registering repairable write-offs differ between states, so check with the registration authority where you'll register the car. Our WOVI check page covers written-off vehicle inspections.
What a clear result doesn't tell you
The register only lists vehicles an insurer declared a total loss. A car can have $10,000 of accident damage repaired and never appear on it, because the damage was fixed through insurance or paid for privately. Uninsured cars that are badly damaged and then repaired never reach the register either.
A Comprehensive Plus report includes the damage assessment records we hold for the vehicle, showing when a vehicle was assessed, the estimated cost of the damage and the areas of the car affected, even where it was never written off. Past sales and auction listings in the report often include photos of the car from before it was repaired.
Signs of hidden accident, flood or hail damage
- Paint that doesn't quite match between panels, overspray on rubber seals or trim, or uneven gaps between panels.
- New bolts or tool marks on bonnet, guard and door hinges.
- A musty smell, damp carpet, silt under the seats or in the spare wheel well, or rust on seat rails, which can point to flood damage.
- Small, evenly spread dents on the roof and bonnet, or a roof that has been replaced, which can point to hail damage.
- Warning lights on the dashboard, or airbag covers that look different from the rest of the interior.
An independent pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic is the best way to assess the quality of any repairs.
Written-Off Vehicle Check FAQ
How do I check if a car has been written off?
Search the car's VIN or registration number against the Written-Off Vehicle Register, the national record of vehicles declared a total loss by insurers. Every MotorRegistry report includes this check alongside the official PPSR certificate.
What's the difference between a statutory and a repairable write-off?
A statutory write-off is damaged so badly it can never be registered again anywhere in Australia and can only be used for parts or scrap. A repairable write-off was uneconomical for the insurer to repair, but in some states and territories it can be repaired, pass a written-off vehicle inspection (WOVI) and be registered again. The write-off stays on the vehicle's record permanently.
Can you register a repairable write-off?
It depends on the state or territory and the type of vehicle. Where it's allowed, the car has to be repaired and pass a written-off vehicle inspection before it can be registered. Rules differ between states, so check with the registration authority in the state where you'll register the car.
Does a clear write-off check mean the car has never been in an accident?
No. The register only lists cars an insurer declared a total loss. Most accident damage is repaired, paid for privately or by insurance, and never reaches the register. A Comprehensive Plus report includes damage assessment records, so repaired damage that was never written off can show up too.
Is a written-off car worth buying?
A repaired write-off is usually worth considerably less than the same car without one, is harder to insure and harder to resell. Some buyers accept that for a lower price. What matters is knowing about it before you agree on a price, and having the repairs inspected independently.
Check the car before you pay
Enter the rego or VIN to see what's on record for the vehicle.
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