Do I have to tell the DVLA my car is a write-off?

jesta · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:06

About a month ago I posted about how some guy drove into my car and wrote it off. I am yet to scrap the car but I was wondering do I have to tell the DVLA it's been written off? If so, do I need proof? I was only verbally told by the AA guy that it's written off so I have no written proof or anything.

Dup · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:09

jesta said:
About a month ago I posted about how some guy drove into my car and wrote it off. I am yet to scrap the car but I was wondering do I have to tell the DVLA it's been written off? If so, do I need proof? I was only verbally told by the AA guy that it's written off so I have no written proof or anything.

Automatic £50 if you don't notify them of change of owner or disposal of vehicle, you should just need to call them. Sometimes the insurance company deal with this as Prudential said they did with my girlfriends but I still got a "Pay £50 or go to court" letter due to nobody notifying them. I put them straight and the fine was waived.

InvaderGIR · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:14

Fill out the V5, the part that says it's being scrapped. :/

[TW]Fox · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:16

It's not written off until an insurance company pays out and records it as a total loss. It sounds like this isn't happening?

InvaderGIR · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:23

If it's being scrapped though that is irrelevant surely? If the OP isn't claiming anyway, if the OP is claiming then the insurance would sort things I guess, but I've not had experience with it.

[TW]Fox · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:24

It isnt a writeoff therefore there is nothing to tell the DVLA until it is sold to a scrap dealer.

antijoke · 10 Feb 2009 at 16:44

I had my 206 GTI written off by my insurers, I had to fill in my V5 and send it back to the DVLA.

jesta · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:24

The guy who drove into me drove off as soon as it happened so I couldn't claim and as my insurance is 3rd party I can't claim. Maybe I used the wrong term, the AA guy who came and looked at my car said it's a write-off, I guess he meant it's not repairable. So all I do is scrap it and inform the DVLA by filling the V5 part and sending it to them?

antijoke · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:33

Have you had a garage look at the car and quote for a repair? That's what I might be tempted to do if the damage isn't too heavy.

If you were to scrap it, then yes complete the V5 and send it off the DVLA.

[TW]Fox · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:46

jesta said:
The guy who drove into me drove off as soon as it happened so I couldn't claim and as my insurance is 3rd party I can't claim. Maybe I used the wrong term, the AA guy who came and looked at my car said it's a write-off, I guess he meant it's not repairable. So all I do is scrap it and inform the DVLA by filling the V5 part and sending it to them?

The AA man is not a qualified accident repair specialist and is unlikely to be able to tell with reasonable certainty whether its repairable unless its properly monged.

jesta · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:52

anticonscience said:
Have you had a garage look at the car and quote for a repair? That's what I might be tempted to do if the damage isn't too heavy.

If you were to scrap it, then yes complete the V5 and send it off the DVLA.

Rear Axle is bent which is supposedly expensive to fix and as I got the car for £1k theres no point of fixing it.

[TW]Fox;13470598 said:
The AA man is not a qualified accident repair specialist and is unlikely to be able to tell with reasonable certainty whether its repairable unless its properly monged.

The AA guy said it's a "write-off" because the floor has "caved in" does that qualify as monged? (Genuine question not being sarcastic)

Totality · 10 Feb 2009 at 19:55

It's only a write-off in your case if you cant afford to repair it don't want to. If you can afford to get it repaired and it's possible then it's not a write-off. I'm sure you could spend thousands and get it fixed up but you wouldnt want to and neither would an insurance company so thats why they use the term write-off.

Get a quote from a garage and then decide.

Fr0dders · 10 Feb 2009 at 21:27

jesta said:
The AA guy said it's a "write-off" because the floor has "caved in" does that qualify as monged? (Genuine question not being sarcastic)

not necessarily

take it to an accident repair specialist and see what they say. The AA man is probably no more qualified than we are to say "its a write off" but that wouldnt stop most of us motoring enthusiasts having an oppinion.

jesta · 10 Feb 2009 at 21:54

Do garages do free quotes on repairs or do they charge you, also as it's not drivable getting to a garage is quite hard unless I get it towed there.

Jonners · 10 Feb 2009 at 22:11

I had to write a letter to DVLA saying the car was no more, if you ring them up, they'll tell you what to exactly write. And just sign it. Don't forget to use recorded delivery.

Fr0dders · 10 Feb 2009 at 22:28

jesta said:
Do garages do free quotes on repairs or do they charge you, also as it's not drivable getting to a garage is quite hard unless I get it towed there.

ring up a local bodyshop and ask.

Or post up some photos, we're not bodyshop experts, but if its blindingly obvius its serious fubar , we may save you the bother of getting an accident repair company to quote you etc..

If it is fubar, its not a write off as the insurance company hasnt got involved. As such it may be worth something to somebody as they can repair it and sell it on without a Cat D status, speak to your local breakers yard and see if they have any interest in it.