WOVI Check: Guide to Repairable Write Off QLD (WOVR)

WOVI Check: Guide to Repairable Write-Off QLD (WOVR)- Understand WOVI’s meaning and perform a quick WOVR check to get WOVI details.

What is a WOVI Inspection?

A Written-Off Vehicle Inspection (WOVI) or WOVR checks if the parts to repair the damaged vehicle came from a legitimate source. The WOVI-listed vehicle inspection stops the rebirthing of cars. These vehicle identity checks are comprehensive and necessary before all repairable write-offs can be re-registered.

The WOVI check QLD doesn’t check the vehicle’s roadworthiness or the professionalism of the repairs. So it is then wise to get an independent vehicle check by a qualified repairer to check the professionalism of the repairs if you want to purchase a car on the WOVR. The last thing you want to do is buy a patch-up job for someone to make a quick dollar.

What Does WOVR Mean?

WOVR meaning, Written Off Vehicle Register. Motor vehicles can be written off in various ways. But what does “written off” in this sense mean? If an insurer decides to scrap a car, it means they are going to do so because the cost of fixing it is more than the value of the car.

It’s also the case if there’s something about the car that means that even though it could be fixed or repaired, it still wouldn’t be safe enough to drive. It is then recorded on the ‘Written Off Vehicle Register’ as a repairable write-off or a statutory written-off vehicle

What is the Difference Between a Statutory Write-Off and a Repairable Write-Off?

In Australia, when a vehicle sustains damage it could be classified as a “written off vehicle” (WOV), by an insurance appraiser. There are two categories for WOVs each with implications for the future of the vehicle.

The first category is a Statutory Write-Off. This pertains to vehicles that have been extensively damaged and that repairs are considered unsafe. These statutory write-offs are permanently removed from registration. It cannot be driven again. They are usually dismantled, with some components potentially salvageable for parts.

The second category is a Repairable Write-Off. In this case, the damage is not so severe that the vehicle cannot be repaired. However, the determining factor becomes the cost of repairs. If the anticipated repair costs exceed the car’s pre-accident market value, the insurer may label it as a repairable write-off. For instance, consider a car with hail damage or a door that has been sideswiped. While repairs are feasible they may end up costing more than what the cars were worth before the accident occurred.

Define Damaged

It is common for cars and other motor vehicles to be written off by insurance companies because of a collision or severe storm damage causing a flood-damaged car. As well as checking for things like hail damage, they also check for flood damage on electrical and mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and more.

Professional thieves often target high-value vehicles, which are typically never recovered. Instead, they are either dismantled for parts and undergo a process known as “re-birthing”, where they are given new identities or abandoned.

Written Off Vehicle Register (WOVR)

Not to be confused with a Statutory Write-Off which can never be registered again. A Repairable Write-Off vehicle is a vehicle that has been assessed as uneconomical to repair and is recorded on the Written Off Vehicle Register (WOVR). The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is recorded and every time you do a PPSR search or car history check you will see the accident and WOVR inspection and inspected dates on the report like in the example below.

Can You Register a Repairable Write-Off in QLD?

Yes, you can. In most states where repairable write-off vehicles can be registered like in Qld have to have two inspections:

• safety certificate inspection
• written-off vehicle inspection

QLD has a strict policy when it comes to buying or registering a vehicle that has been written off to avoid car re-birthing and other scams.

Should I Buy a WOVI Car

Is it worth buying a WOVI car or buying a WOVI passed car is always the question I hear most. Below are some tell-tale signs the vehicle may be on the Written-Off Vehicle Register and further investigation is needed by you.

Some Tell-Tale Signs a Car Has Been Written Off When Buying a Used Car?

When buying a car from a dealer and the vehicle has a written-off classification then in most cases the dealer needs to notify the buyer of the WOVR status but this is not the case when buying privately.

• The registration number can be the window of the vehicle. By taking note of the first letter, for example, at the time of writing this in Qld, the first letter is “W” which tells us the vehicle has been unregistered and re-registered recently. A simple explanation could be the seller replaced personalized plates with standard plates. Or more seriously, the vehicle was taken off the road and repaired due to being in an accident or severe weather storm.

• Having a look around the bodywork and underneath the car for newly replaced suspension, steering or underbody parts can reveal the vehicle was involved in a major collision and is listed on the Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR). Knowing what to look for when buying a used car and other tell-tale signs a car has been written off can help you evaluate if the repairs are professional.

• In most cases, second-hand cars for sale that are repairable write-offs will have done less than average kilometres due to being off the road until being repaired. Some vehicles are only affected by hail damage so they tend to be put back on the road more quickly.

• Another sign that can reveal the history of a car is the vehicle’s condition inside and out is not consistent with the kilometres the vehicle has travelled. This occurs when you come across an ex-rental car. The first sign could be the seat and steering wheel wear and tear is excessive along with more obvious signs like the “NO Smoking” sticker attached to the window or the absence of a logbook and service history.

Free WOVR Check

To do a free WOVR check to check the written-off vehicle inspection data on a vehicle, learn how to do a PPSR check using the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) for free. The Personal Properties Securities Register Check will also tell you if there’s any money owing on the vehicle or if it’s reported stolen.

Also Please Note:
The information contained on this page is for general information purposes only.
All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that this information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Also If you believe that any information we have displayed is inaccurate, please contact us immediately and we will take all reasonable steps to correct it. Finally, this information is a guide only and cannot be used as a reference to a point of law.