Plain-English answers
Thinking of buying a write-off? Get the answer first.
Every guide below starts with a real question buyers ask before they bid, then answers it straight — built from current auction data, verified, no affiliate spin.
No guides match that — .
Start here — is it even worth it?
Want the whole journey, start to finish?
The full path in one place — who can buy, how to bid and pay, collecting it, the repair records you must keep, and the state inspections that get it road-legal again.
New to auctions — how does buying one work?
Register to bid, set a hard ceiling from real sold prices, and treat every lot as sold as-is, no warranty.
Why was a car written off, and how is the payout set?
When repairs cost more than it's worth, or the damage hits the statutory line — you're paid agreed or market value, minus excess.
What does the title actually mean?
What is the WOVR, and why won't it go away?
It's the national write-off register (fed by the states via NEVDIS) — once a car is on it, the record stays permanently.
Can I re-register a repairable write-off?
Usually yes, after a state identity + roadworthy inspection — but NSW generally won't let an open-market buyer do it directly.
Is a statutory write-off ever road-legal again?
No — anywhere in Australia. It's permanently barred from registration; it's for parts, dismantling or export only.
Before you bid — do the homework
Does "repairable" mean it's cheap to fix?
Not necessarily — the label only means it can be repaired, not that the damage is light, fully disclosed or economical.
How do I check a car for money owing or a hidden write-off?
Run a PPSR check on the VIN at ppsr.gov.au — it shows finance owing, theft and write-off status before you commit.
Will my repaired write-off pass the inspection?
It needs an identity check plus a roadworthy — the name varies by state (WOVI in QLD, VIV in VIC) — and it's the paperwork that usually trips people up.
What will it cost — and what if I just want parts?
What will I actually pay over the hammer price?
A buyer's premium (often capped), GST and admin fees on top — use the fee calculator to see the all-in figure by auction house.
Is it worth buying a wreck just for parts?
Often — value the parts you can actually recover and sell, not the car; a statutory write-off is usually the cheapest donor.
How do I find the right part for my car?
Match it by VIN and build date, then choose between recyclers, genuine and aftermarket — and take care with safety parts.
Still stuck on a word?
Every auction and write-off term in plain English — WOVR, PPSR, reserve, passed in, buyer's premium and more.
What write-offs actually sell for, by state
Median sold prices from thousands of real auction sales — the figures behind the vault.
Found your answer? Now check a real car.
Paste an auction listing or VIN and we'll pull the write-off status, hidden-cost flags and what similar cars actually sold for — free.