ACT rules regarding repairable write-offs?

Have heard of some people have bought ACT repairable written-off hail damaged cars and have repaired and tried to register them in another state/territory.
The cars can be repaired and re-registered in ACT then transferred to another state/territory.
Had a friend from NSW call me and we transferred it to me, I registered it then transferred to him in NSW (Due to it not being registered for more than 12 months in ACT after the repair it needed an ID check in NSW)
Can only do this 4 times per person in the ACT due to non dealer sale limits, it’s legal but cost him a bit to bring it back to Canberra to register and transfer, wasn’t an entire loss for him to now drive the car.

Hi

I realise this is an old thread and it might be better to start a new one but like ‘wildturkeycanoe’ says, it certainly does pay to get a REVS check (or similar) before buying a used car privately.

Yesterday I almost paid $23K for a late model SUV from someone in the inner north but luckily, I did the car check before handing the remaining money over. The car was registered in Victoria to a pensioner until Sept 2016 (I wasn’t told of the pensioner part but this would incur additional costs on my part so luckily I noticed) plus it was listed as an economic write-off but I was only told it had been in an accident and the back bumper was replaced. In hindsight, there were other things that didn’t add up as well but I loved the car and didn’t listen to my gut.

The seller now refuses to refund my $200 deposit but I’m not giving up too easily. If nothing else, I will use this opportunity to warn others about buying late model cars from vendors who are selling cars which are registered in Victoria but they have moved to town because of children attending Uni, and also have younger children attending local Canberra schools.

It certainly is a case of ‘buyer beware’ and I wonder how many more ‘written-off’ cars are being off-loaded in Canberra. The sellers told me to check VicRoads for the history and I did, but it shows nothing of any relevance. Just spend the $3.40 and get the on-line car check done – for your own peace of mind. While this car may have been fine after all the checks and inspections, it is still listed as an ‘economic write-off’ therefore my resale will be affected and I didn’t even look into whether I could obtain comprehensive insurance.

Sorry for the rant but I am really annoyed with myself for getting sucked in, and for people who have no conscience.

I am a sole parent and can’t afford to throw away $200 but I guess it is better than $23K!

akpv said :

Does anyone know what the rules are for a written off vehicle currently registered in NSW. The vehicle is 12 years old.

An old thread but this info might help somebody else avoid heartache. If the vehicle has been a repaired write off, but not ACT registered when written off, it cannot ever be registered in Canberra. Seems other states are more lenient but here it is a definite NO. Glad I checked as I almost ended up with a $23k parts car. Buyer beware.

Does anyone know what the rules are for a written off vehicle currently registered in NSW. The vehicle is 12 years old.

p1 said :

CoffinRX2 said :

you are, just cant initially re-register it in NSW. … but being a Porsche, you could in fact ask for an exemption under the rules.

When I said can’t repair i kinda meant, not much point in most cases if it isn’t possible to reregister it as a road going vehicle.

You canr re-register it as a road going vehicle … just not intially in NSW … you could in any other state, and then transfer to NSW if you wished.

But the legislation allows for exemption for Niche, unique, perfornance vehcles etc …. but this car is over 15 yrs old so wouldnt be on the WOVR so it doesnt really matter

Thanks for your help people. I suppose I’ll just start the process and see what happens…

CoffinRX2 said :

you are, just cant initially re-register it in NSW. … but being a Porsche, you could in fact ask for an exemption under the rules.

When I said can’t repair i kinda meant, not much point in most cases if it isn’t possible to reregister it as a road going vehicle.

p1 said :

Google tells me that NSW has now made it impossible to register repairable write-offs to stop dodgy things from happening.

While I understand the governments motivation to prevent dodgy car re-birthing, I find it hilarious that there can be a category of vehicle with the word “repairable” in the name, which you are not in fact able to repair.

you are, just cant initially re-register it in NSW. … but being a Porsche, you could in fact ask for an exemption under the rules.

Google tells me that NSW has now made it impossible to register repairable write-offs to stop dodgy things from happening.

While I understand the governments motivation to prevent dodgy car re-birthing, I find it hilarious that there can be a category of vehicle with the word “repairable” in the name, which you are not in fact able to repair.

if its an 80’s model then its not on the WOVR (written off vehicle register)

If its roadworthy, the get a RWC done on it and register it, it can still be roadworthy with cosmetic damage