In Western Australia (WA), written-off vehicles are classified as either repairable write-offs or statutory write-offs. Vehicles may be written off as a result of accidents, natural disasters (such as floods, fires or hail), theft, or vandalism.
A statutory write-off is a vehicle that has been damaged so severely it can never be made safe or roadworthy. This classification applies where the nature or extent of the damage means the vehicle can’t be repaired to an acceptable safety standard.
A repairable write-off is a vehicle that has been assessed as a total loss, usually because the cost of repairs exceeds its market value but hasn’t sustained damage severe enough to meet the definition of a statutory write off. These vehicles may be repaired and relicensed, provided they meet all inspection, repair, and licensing requirements.