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What is a write-off?
A vehicle is described as written-off when it has been so badly damaged that it's no longer safe or economical to repair. There are two types of written-off cars; statutory write-off and repairable write-off
Statutory write-off
Statutory write-offs are unable to be repaired and can only be used as spare parts. A car is generally classed as a statutory write-off because it would be unsafe to repair it. This might be due to structural damage (like a bent chassis) or extensive damage.
If you buy a car that's a statutory write-off, you won't be able to repair it or get it road registered.
Repairable write-off
Repairable write-offs are generally classed as a write-off because the repairs needed are likely to cost more than the market value of the car (like hail damage). In some states and territories, repairable write-offs can be repaired to a particular standard, assessed and re-registered.
Check with your local road transport authority on how they treat these cars before purchasing a repairable write-off.
Understand the codes on your PPSR car search
The written-off information can be broken down into three parts, with each part represented by a different code:
- Incident type - described by letters D,F,H,I,M,W
- Damage location - described by numbers 1-46 and
- Damage severity - described by letters A-P.
The information about a car's written-off status comes from a database called the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS). This database isn't managed by the PPSR, so we aren't able to change or give any more detail about the information that's provided under NEVDIS in your search result.
For more information about the details of the write-off, contact the seller of the vehicle or your state or territory's road transport authority.
Incident type
|
Code |
Type of incident |
|---|---|
|
D |
Dismantled - Legitimate removal of components for use as parts. |
|
F |
Fire - Damage caused by combustion. |
|
H |
Hail - Damage caused by hail stones. |
|
I |
Impact - Collision of some type with an object, for example another vehicle, tree or pole. |
|
M |
Malicious/Vandalism/Stripped - Intentional damage, for example broken door locks, glass window or windows, paint, scratched or stripped of all or a combination of interior and exterior body parts. |
|
W |
Water - Damage caused by water (fresh or salt) such as a storm, river or flood. |
Damage location
| Code | Location | Type of vehicle |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Passenger front |
Motor vehicle |
|
2 |
Driver front |
Motor vehicle |
|
3 |
Driver side |
Motor vehicle |
|
4 |
Driver rear |
Motor vehicle |
|
5 |
Passenger rear |
Motor vehicle |
|
6 |
Passenger side |
Motor vehicle |
|
7 |
Engine |
Motor vehicle |
|
8 |
Roof |
Motor vehicle |
|
9 |
Interior |
Motor vehicle |
|
10 |
Front |
Caravan / trailer / motorbike |
|
11 |
Rear |
Caravan / trailer |
|
12 |
Left rear |
Motor bike |
|
13 |
Right rear |
Motor bike |
|
14 |
Whole vehicle |
Motor vehicle |
|
15 |
Floor pan (passenger front) |
Motor vehicle |
|
16 |
Fire wall |
Motor vehicle |
|
17 |
Chassis/structural rails (passenger) |
Motor vehicle |
|
18 |
Floor pan (driver rear) |
Motor vehicle |
|
19 |
Floor pan (driver front) |
Motor vehicle |
|
20 |
Floor pan (passenger rear) |
Motor vehicle |
|
21 |
Chassis/structural rails (driver) |
Motor vehicle |
|
22 |
A pillar passenger |
Motor vehicle |
|
23 |
A pillar driver |
Motor vehicle |
|
24 |
B pillar passenger |
Motor vehicle |
|
25 |
B pillar driver |
Motor vehicle |
|
26 |
C pillar passenger |
Motor vehicle |
|
27 |
C pillar driver |
Motor vehicle |
|
28 |
D pillar passenger |
Motor vehicle |
|
29 |
D pillar driver |
Motor vehicle |
|
30 |
Engine block (cracked, fractured) |
Motor vehicle |
|
31 |
Transmission case |
Motor vehicle |
|
32 |
Differential case |
Motor vehicle |
|
33 |
Axle housing |
Motor vehicle |
|
34 |
Suspension (passenger front) |
Motor vehicle |
|
35 |
Suspension (driver front) |
Motor vehicle |
|
36 |
Suspension (passenger rear) |
Motor vehicle |
|
37 |
Suspension (driver rear) |
Motor vehicle |
|
38 |
Airbag front |
Motor vehicle |
|
39 |
Airbag side |
Motor vehicle |
|
40 |
Airbag curtain |
Motor vehicle |
|
41 |
Seat belt pre-tensioner |
Motor vehicle |
|
42 |
Battery Pack |
NSW heavy vehicles only |
|
43 |
Tow Point |
NSW heavy vehicles only |
|
44 |
Auxiliary Equipment |
NSW heavy vehicles only |
|
45 |
Hydraulic or other Lifting Equipment |
NSW heavy vehicles only |
|
46 |
Rollover Protective Structure |
NSW heavy vehicles only |
Damage severity
| Code | Severity of damage |
|---|---|
|
A |
Heavy panel |
|
B |
Light panel |
|
C |
Heavy structural |
|
D |
Light structural |
|
E |
Unrepairable |
|
F |
Major mechanical damage |
|
G |
Minor mechanical damage |
|
H |
Major stripping |
|
I |
Minor stripping |
|
J |
Major vandalism |
|
K |
Minor vandalism |
|
L |
Water (salt) |
|
M |
Water (fresh) |
|
N |
Burnt/blistered |
|
O |
Smoke and heat |
|
P |
Minor smoke |