More work for licenced repairers in NSW is one of the possible results banning the returning written-off vehicles to the road.
NSW Transport and Roads Minister announced the government will introduce legislation that will ban the repair of written-off vehicles.
The Minister made the announcement at the Botany Roads and Traffic Authority’s inspection facility with an extremely poorly repaired Toyota Carolla as the backdrop.
"This is legislation to ensure written-off vehicles are not re-registered," Campbell said.
He was referring to the practice of repairable written-off vehicles being picked up by backyard chop shops and then put back on the road.
He said the legislation was about road safety, car theft and re-birthing, customer protection and supporting the small businesses in the repair industry that are "doing the right thing".
"NSW is leading the nation, and I make no apologies for this strong stand," Campbell said.
He said the legislation, which is expected to be put to the NSW Parliament in August, would contain measures to ensure written-off vehicles from interstate did not find their way into NSW.
While the Minister indicated that written-off cars would meet their fate in the crusher, NSW Motor Traders Association CEO, James McCall said that written-off vehicles would be used for parts.
"The MTA applauds the action Government and particularly the Minister David Campbell to ensure written off-motor vehicles no longer represent a danger to the public or a mechanism to legitimize stolen vehicles," McCall said.
"A great many written off vehicles are purchased at auction by ‘back-yard’ repairers, cosmetically repaired and put back on the road in an unsafe condition. Many of these vehicles are death traps."
One such vehicle was on display when the announcement was made.
The late-model Toyota Carolla had been in a heavy hit and written off. However it was repaired and put back on the road and bought. The owner "got a bargain" at about $2000 less than the market value.
However, things turned back for the owner. A subsequent minor indecent meant the car was returned to a body shop.
When the repairer stripped down the vehicle, the poor quality of the previous work was evident.
The vehicle was put back on the road – and registered – with no bumper bar support and no air bag. The airbag mechanism had been rewired and the void where the back should sit was stuffed with rags.
The extent of the initial hit was evident through a fold in the fire wall and the obvious displacement of the suspension strut.
The welding quality was inferior and wiring in the engine bay incorrect.
It is planned to take this vehicle to the RTA’s crash testing facility to a crash test and see how it fares.
"There is also substantial evidence highlighting that the availability of repairable written-off vehicles is significantly contributing to motor vehicle based crime," McCall said.
"The industry welcomes any effort to reduce criminal activity and unsafe vehicles on our roads"
McCall said the decision announced today by Minister Campbell, shows that the NSW Government recognises the seriousness of this growing problem and has the courage to act in the best interest of NSW consumers, despite intense opposition from the insurance industry and its agents.
He said negative comments on this decision have been made by the Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (MVTRC).
“Consumers should be reminded that this council is heavily funded by the insurance industry and it is no surprise to us that the council is making comments that would please insurers,” McCall said.
“In fact, we have a letter from the Insurance Council of Australia implying that their financial support to the MVTRC would be withdrawn if it did not stop supporting moves to get rid of repairable write-offs.
According to MTS figures there are, on average 35,900 vehicles written off annually in NSW. Considering these vehicles are assessed by insurance companies as unfit for repair it is distressing that approximately 13,600 of these vehicles are presented for re-registration each year.
"It is important to note that whilst the overall motor vehicle theft figures have reduced in recent years," McCall said.
"The number of vehicles that are unrecovered each year has remained static and in some years actually increased.
"When a vehicle is unrecovered it is usually an indication that professional gangs are involved."
Professional gangs employ a variety of methods to cover their crimes and re-birthed vehicles find their way back into the market, usually purchased privately from an unknown person. The unsuspecting buyer then finds out the vehicle has previously been written-off and in some instances the vehicle is seized by Police as it has been repaired using stolen parts or the identifiers have been interfered with.
"Even if a vehicle is not repaired using stolen parts, backyarders repair the written off vehicle using whatever means necessary and have no regard for the ongoing safety of the vehicle.
"I have seen written off vehicles repaired without replacing airbags that have been deployed and the wiring is interfered with so that the driver has no idea the airbags won’t work in a collision."
MTA's Adam Thomas, CRD chairman Richard Nathan and James McCall inspect the poorly repaired car with out a bumper support.
Damage from the first big hit can still be seen on the firewall.
More of the poor repair.