Total loss vehicle inspections

When the cost to repair a vehicle and the vehicle's salvage value are greater than the value of the vehicle, it's considered a total loss.

Some total loss vehicles are eligible to be repaired. Following repair, the vehicle must pass the necessary vehicle inspections before they are deemed roadworthy.

At the time the vehicle is deemed a total loss:

• If the vehicle is registered - you must have it inspected within 60 days or before the expiry of your current registration, whichever comes first.
• If the vehicle isn't registered - you'll need a 24-hour permit to legally drive the vehicle from a repair shop to a vehicle inspection station to have it inspected. Permits are available from any motor licence issuer.

Note: The vehicle must be in compliance with all standards before it can be driven using a permit.

Buying a total loss vehicle

If you buy a total loss vehicle from SGI Salvage or decide to keep your total loss vehicle as part of your claim settlement, we'll advise you what inspections are required.

If you buy a total loss vehicle from another source, contact a SGI motor licence issuer to find out:

• if the vehicle is eligible for registration; and
• what inspections are required before the vehicle can be registered.

Rebuilt total loss vehicles

Total loss vehicles that pass required inspections are permanently branded a rebuilt total loss vehicle to protect consumers as part of the national Stolen and Wrecked Vehicle Monitoring Program.

Total loss vehicles that have sustained cosmetic damage are not branded a rebuilt total loss vehicle, but they must pass a mechanical safety inspection.

How to get on the road again

The 10 steps to follow if your total-loss vehicle is required to pass both a body integrity and mechanical safety inspection:

1. Before any repairs are started, contact an SGI certified¹ body integrity inspection station (body shop).
2. Before any repairs are started, you must take colour photographs of the rear, front and each side of the vehicle.
3. Before any repairs are started, you must present your vehicle to the body integrity inspection station you’ve chosen.
4. Complete an Application to Obtain Certification of a Rebuilt Vehicle. Available at all SGI claim centres, salvage branches and body integrity inspection stations.
5. Complete a Rebuilt Vehicle Work Plan and have it approved by the body integrity inspection station.
6. Present the vehicle to the body integrity inspection station at the stages of repair required by the body integrity inspection station.
7. Present the vehicle to the body integrity inspection station for final inspection. When the vehicle passes you will be presented with copies of the validated Body Integrity Inspection Certificate.
8. Make an appointment with a certified¹ inspection station (garage) for a total-loss light vehicle (mechanical) inspection.
9. Present the vehicle and a copy of the Body Integrity Inspection Certificate to the  inspection station. When the vehicle passes the mechanical inspection you will be presented with copies of the validated Light Vehicle Inspection Certificate.
10. Present a copy of the validated Body Integrity Inspection Certificate and the validated Light Vehicle Inspection Certificate to any SGI motor licence issuer and they will permit registration of the vehicle or update the status of the vehicle to rebuilt. The inspection certificates will be returned to you and should be retained for your record.