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DOT Home | Licensing Services | Vehicle licences | Written-off / damaged vehicles | Written-off vehicles

Written-off vehicles

Written-off Vehicle Register

The national Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) has been developed to reduce the problem of re-birthing stolen vehicles.

The register records the written-off vehicle’s identifiers and specific information about the damage to the vehicle. It also records whether the vehicle is a:

• Statutory write-off: the vehicle cannot be relicensed; or a
• Repairable write-off: the vehicle may be repaired and relicensed.

Notification of a written-off vehicle

An assessor* must notify the national Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) of all written-off vehicles if:

• It is a motor vehicle, motor cycle, trailer or semi trailer
• In the case of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi trailer - the vehicle’s MRC** does not exceed 4.5 tonne
• It was manufactured within the period of 15 years ending on the day on which the damage occurred (if known) or otherwise on the day on which the vehicle was written off.

* An assessor may be an insurance company, insurance assessor or motor vehicle dealer (including wreckers, hire car companies and auction houses).

** MRC means Mass Rating Charge and is the vehicle’s GVM, ATM or equivalent.

Labelling of statutory written-off vehicles

To assist in the identification of statutory written-off vehicles, a label (see sample below) will be attached securely to the vehicle in a conspicuous position, close to the vehicle identifier. The ideal place for a notice on a motor vehicle, other than a motorbike, will usually be the driver’s front door or the windscreen. It is an offence to remove or deface (damage) a written-off vehicle label. 

Defacing vehicle identifier

In addition to attaching a written-off label, a statutory write-off vehicle must also have the vehicle’s identifier defaced. This serves as an additional warning to consumers that the vehicle is a statutory write-off and may not be re-licensed (re-registered).

Statutory write-off vs. Repairable write-off

Statutory written-off vehicle

Statutory write-offs are damaged vehicles that are deemed unsuitable for repair, as the damage is too severe. These vehicles are known targets of car thieves because they can be purchased at low cost and used for re-birthing. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of these vehicles will be recorded as a statutory write-off.

Statutory write-offs may never be licensed in Western Australia or in any other jurisdiction within Australia. Some key aspects of these notifiable vehicles are:

• A notifiable vehicle is a statutory write-off if:
  • It has been stripped of all or most of its interior and exterior body parts, panels and other components; or
  • It is burnt to such an extent that it is fit only for wrecking or scrap.
• A notifiable vehicle (except a motor cycle) is a statutory write-off if three (3) or more of the following apply to the vehicle:
  • An area 300 mm x 300 mm or more of the vehicle’s roof has sustained impact damage
  • An area 300 mm x 300 mm or more of the vehicle’s cabin floor pan has sustained impact damage
  • An area 300 mm x 300 mm or more of the vehicle’s firewall has sustained impact damage
  • The vehicle’s suspension has sustained impact damage; or
  • A major mechanical component of the vehicle is cracked or broken.
• A notifiable vehicle (except a motor cycle) is a statutory write-off if:
  • It has been immersed in salt water above the doorsill level for any period; or
  • It has been immersed in fresh water up to the level of the dashboard or steering wheel for more than 48 hours.
• A notifiable motor cycle, trailer or semi trailer is a statutory write-off if it has sustained:
  • Impact damage, (except scratching) to its suspension; and
  • Structural damage to its frame in two (2) or more places.
• A notifiable motor cycle is a statutory write-off if it has been fully immersed in salt water for any period, or fully immersed in fresh water for more than 48 hours.

Repairable written-off vehicle

A vehicle is classed as a repairable write-off when:

• The vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair by the assessor
• The vehicle’s VIN is recorded as a repairable write-off; or
• The vehicle may be repaired but is subject to passing a vehicle safety and vehicle identity check before it can be licensed in Western Australia.

Find out how to get a repairable written-off vehicle relicensed.

Find out if your vehicle is in the Written-off Vehicle Register or has money owing on it

To find out if your vehicle is listed on the Written-Off Vehicle Register or if the car you are buying has money owing on it, check out the Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS):

• REVS online
• Telephone REVS on 1300 30 40 24.

REVS can tell you whether a vehicle, boat or farm machinery has money owing on it before making a purchase. This is important because someone else (e.g. a bank or finance company) may be able to repossess the vehicle you have purchased.

As part of the REVS check we will also be able to inform you if a vehicle is: 

• Licensed in WA (motor vehicles and trailers only) 
• Recorded as stolen (motor vehicles, trailers and boats); or
• Written-off.

Important note:

For a REVS enquiry, you will need to provide the licence (registration) number, engine number and chassis or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).