Repairable write-off?????

WAS 240 · 17-03-2009, 06:40 PM

Just wanted to know a defination of repairable write-off, i have found a car that ticks all the boxes i want and when doing a revs check came up with* ENCUMBRANCE/WARNING DETAILS *
The vehicle indentifiers you have supplied indicate that the vehicle has
been recorded as a Repairable Write-Off. The vehicle may have been repaired,
inspected and re-registered.
Before you buy the vehicle, contact the manufacturer to check if the
the manufacturer's warranty is still valid.
There is no financial interest
VEHICLE DETAILS MATCHED WITH RTA

I asked the seller if the car had been in any accidents and was told that it had been damaged on the front and front grill and had been fixed professionally under insurance. This is the second car I have looked at that this repairable write off has come up so I wanted to know exactly what it meant.

**fordomatic** · 17-03-2009, 06:42 PM

mate it has been written off and then repaired. there is absolutely no way i would buy a car that has been a repairable write off. it would have to of been a decent hit to the front if it was a write off. after being repared they never drive the same as before.

Bucknaked · 17-03-2009, 06:46 PM

If it's a repairable writeoff, it hasn't been fixed under insurance. Insurance wrote it off. So he's telling you porkies.

charlie200 · 17-03-2009, 06:49 PM

Doesnt have to be a big hit anymore to write off a vehicle.check out pickles damaged auctions and you will see that most of the cars are not that badly damaged.
If you set off airbags in a crash,no matter how hard you hit,if the car is not worth much it will most likely be written off.
It couldnt of been fixed by an insurance company cause it was written off by them.

Racecraft · 17-03-2009, 06:55 PM

a repairable write off has to be inspected by an engineer to pass its WOVI. The standard of repairs will be better than alot of insurance jobs. Alot of new cars have that óld for new clause'' in the policy so the insurance company has to re-coupe costs at the damaged auctions. Personally I would of like to have seen it BEFORE it was repaired for peace of mind, but I wouldn't steer away just because it has been fixed. Just check the usual suspects, paint match, panel gaps etc.

rusty_ · 17-03-2009, 06:59 PM

whats the link of the car?

5tumpy · 17-03-2009, 07:05 PM

I have a 2001 Lancer that my wife drives, it is a repaired write-off... The paintwork doesn't match perfectly, but the interior and engine were immaculate, they were more than likely replaced with virtually brand new parts to get over the pits... I've put 70,000km on it, so 160,000km total, and the only money I've spent on it besides servicing is for front brake pads about 20,000km ago...

Look at the car, based on the car, regardless of whether it's a stat write off or not, if it looks even slightly dodgy, don't buy it... If it looks good, get it checked out by a pro (if you know a panel beater, get them to have a look, if not, take a case of beer to your local reputable panel/paint shop and ask their opinion of the work that's been done on it, 9/10 they'll be able to tell)...

If it runs well and looks straight, go for it mate!

ORSM-XT · 17-03-2009, 07:12 PM

yeh it doesnt need to be a huge hit to write a car off. no joke there was an old astra that hit a bird and smashed the windscreen and left a small pimple dint on the bonnet and wrote the car off coz it was worth less then the windscreen.

just for peace of mind, ask him if he has pictures of the car damaged?

Cheerz,

Dezza · 17-03-2009, 07:14 PM

A smashed bumper and bonnet on an e-series is basically a repairable writeoff. The cost of repairing the car is more than what the car is worth. It just means it can be fixed, but the insurance company preferred to just give the money to get a new car.

And Racecraft, you're not wrong. This is my car back in 2002. As it was only insured via 3rd party property, it wasn't officially written off. If it was insured full comp, it would have been a repairable writeoff. We fixed it, and it's hard to tell what it's been through. It drives well considering too.

boss-290 · 17-03-2009, 07:16 PM

My car is a rep write off. Nothing wrong with it, it was just panel damage according to vicroads.

drives straight, all good.

Encomberance is a worry though.

Nikked · 17-03-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordomatic

it would have to of been a decent hit to the front if it was a write off. after being repared they never drive the same as before.

Thats a load of lies. A repaired car should always be asgood as, if not better then before. Even a rwo...

jphanna · 17-03-2009, 08:11 PM

guys, 10 years ago i had a accident in a car that the insurance said was on the borderline of write off. i told them i wanted it fixed but they said they would prefer to give me the agreed value and write it off.

not long after that i received a call from a guy who was about to buy it from the insurance company writeoff auction and wanted to know the history of the car servicing etc. i told him i looked after that car with best care and best oil etc. he was going to rebuild it and was checking if its worth it.

i have since seen the car and photographed it, and it has raked up another 100,000kms since i had it with no problems. i can tell the front is a little 'out' though.

WAS 240 · 17-03-2009, 09:04 PM

This is the car, It looks straight and he is the second owner and had it for 18 months

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...turbo&trecs=10

opinions???

**fordomatic** · 17-03-2009, 09:27 PM

[/QUOTE]Nikked
Quote:
Originally Posted by fordomatic
it would have to of been a decent hit to the front if it was a write off. after being repared they never drive the same as before.

Thats a load of lies. A repaired car should always be asgood as, if not better then before. Even a rwo...
[/QUOTE]

a load of lies, don't call me a liar champ it pi$$es me off. a car that new would not have been written off easily. fair enough on a car that isnt worth much but not a newer car.

WAS 240 · 17-03-2009, 11:04 PM

So any thoughts??

jason71 · 17-03-2009, 11:06 PM

I wouldn't touch it, keep looking there are plenty of others out there.

Iggypoppin' · 17-03-2009, 11:12 PM

yep. why the hell buy that for 23k?
the place i purchased my car from has xr6 turbos frequently, and they are all around the kms(some BF's) that one is, for around 20k. 23k for a rep write off is a farce. shop around, why buy someone elses 2nds? the guy can't even spell in that ad. note: bargenin.
and the pictures do look good.
my car has dings in the bonnet and scrapes all down my drivers side from a cyclist's pedal...but in a photo you see nothing.
buyer beware, and there is better out there.
also note, it sounds from the top post he owes finance on it. encumbered=no!

XR Martin · 17-03-2009, 11:20 PM

Yeah youd want to pick that up for under $20k being a write off.

5tumpy · 17-03-2009, 11:24 PM

Guys, it's a turbo with a front mount... All it would have taken to write it off is a front end accident where the intercooler was damaged... Sucks metal in the engine, boom, write off as the insurance company would have to replace it with new parts...

kenz · 17-03-2009, 11:28 PM

My 05 xr8 ute is a rep writeoff. Drives as good as any other, can notice a couple dints and paint miss match here n there but I got it for a good 5k cheaper than what the market was doing at the time so it didnt bother much. Im planning on changing bodykits etc anyway so the couple minor bits of bad paint I wasnt too fussed about. But if its been damaged I wouldnt be paying the same coin for that compared to something for the same price that isnt damaged

jason71 · 17-03-2009, 11:29 PM

Yeah, but it is in Bankstown that's good enough reason to steer clear of it!
I've looked at plenty of cars in that area and it is dodge city!

davocol · 17-03-2009, 11:36 PM

These cars are dime a dozen, stay clear of it for the simple reason you have been lied to. There are heaps of them out there and for 23000 it is not worth the hassle.

Iggypoppin' · 17-03-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5tumpy

Guys, it's a turbo with a front mount... All it would have taken to write it off is a front end accident where the intercooler was damaged... Sucks metal in the engine, boom, write off as the insurance company would have to replace it with new parts...

another good excuse to stay away.

WAS 240 · 17-03-2009, 11:41 PM

Thanks heaps guys, I'll keep looking

Iggypoppin' · 17-03-2009, 11:47 PM

Raise a cheer guys, we saved him!

The Monty · 18-03-2009, 04:01 AM

A write off doesnt have to be that damaged at all. These days a stolen and recovered car will be written off by an insurance company to save hassels associated with it down the line. It might have been for a swim also. I have a repairable write off, and I can detail the damage for you here:
AU3 forte, 104 000k's.
Damage was, 1 front 1/4 panel, other had a small dent in it. 1 headlight, replaced both. Stub axle, upper and lower control arm. Power steering rack. 1 tail light, scuff on the rear bumper. 1 sway bar mount.
Thats it, it measures up straight, wheel alignment is perfect.
But on the window when I bought it had a rundown on what the assesors said was wrong:
Suspension $5000
A/C $3000
Written off
They will write a vehicle off for nothing these days.
I think most people need a reality check, most cars will be crashed and fixed, hell, the Monty has had a hit very similar to this, both cars cost less then $1000 to fix.

JBomb3000 · 18-03-2009, 09:09 AM

I wouldn't let the fact it's a repairable write of put you of as long as it drives well and everything is ok as you say. I would use that as some leverage for a price discount.

LTDHO · 18-03-2009, 09:15 AM

I would stay away from any previously written off and repaired vehicles.
The amount of time and money usually required, isn't done.

Sure the car may look sweet, with it's new paint, detailed engine and interior, but that's to keep your eyes of the rest of the car.

That's my opinion though. I'm sure there have been quality repaired write offs.

OLDFORDNUT · 18-03-2009, 09:55 AM

if he wont accept at least $5000 less than the imaculate cars around then walk away,
i had a repairable write off a few years ago and had to supply al reciepts for work done and show photo's of damage before and after, ring the previous insurance company and ask for a list of what was needed,this will tell you how bad damage was and more importantly if it went for a swim,
a car that has been under water will have electrical problems a well as rust for the life of car.

XR2DOOR · 18-03-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFORDNUT

if he wont accept at least $5000 less than the imaculate cars around then walk away,
i had a repairable write off a few years ago and had to supply al reciepts for work done and show photo's of damage before and after, ring the previous insurance company and ask for a list of what was needed,this will tell you how bad damage was and more importantly if it went for a swim,
a car that has been under water will have electrical problems a well as rust for the life of car.

theres always some dodgy cars around after the floods .bankstown is a real worry too