Saw this on Rip Off Britain, on the Beeb this morning.......

 

Due to what they called an 'Industry Loophole' there are many cars that have been written off by the insurance companies, that are finding their way back onto our roads without knowledge.

As to if this information is known to the sellers remains unsure, but i bet a lot of them become aware, but still sell the vehicles.

 

The main issue of this is down to price, hence being reported on Rip Off Britain. As to whether these vehicles are safe would remain questionable, IMO at least, though they have passed the mot.

 

The loophole is, even though the insurance companies have a legal requirement to report the write off to the (DVLA (iirc), neither the insurance company or the DVLA have any obligation to report this to the MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti Fraud Theft Register).

 

This register it seems is where most internet companies, including HPi online, get their information from regarding any vehicles accident damaged etc.

So when you do a check, nothing untoward shows for the vehicle simply because they haven't been told the information about the car.

 

IIRC they mentioned circa 450,000 vehicles written off per year and of these (again iirc) circa 80,000 vehicle details did not reach the register. (in that particular year).

 

Companies known to have sold formerly written off cars (maybe unknowingly??????) include Arnold Clark, Evans Halshaw and the Car Store. Customers paying top dollar for inferior motors worth thousands less.

One girl had used the RAC site to check her car. She found out a month later after purchasing it, when issues became apparent, that it had been written off.

She took it up with the RAC, without any luck, only to check the site again, her vehicles details had been updated with a warning not to proceed any further with the purchase.............poor gal. 

 

Unbelievable that this can be allowed to happen.

 

One particular formerly written off vehicles details was known to have remained not updated for nine years...........

Watched with interest.

No mention of how many such write-offs were Cat C or D (now Cat S and N respectively), though?

Having had two of mine thus offwritten, and helped restore a fair few other peoples' Cat C/D vehicles, it's quite feasible that a 'write-off' was fixed up good as new and recertified as perfectly safe.

You can also check the MoT history, as a test appearing way outside the regular annual schedule is oftren an indicator of something happening that needed repair and recertification.

Cars just go back on the road without a 'MOT' / Inspection after rebuilds / repairs, and Insurance Companies know that Electrical Checks might not be done, seat belts replaced etc on cars that they sold to the Salvage Yards they have contacts with.

 

Used cars regularly have new 'MOT' before going to new owners, so that can be many thousands a year just 'used sales' that have never had accident damage.

 

The DfT / DVSA in the UK and the Secretary of State for Transport & various Ministers for Transport are the ones not Fit for Purpose as the Senior Police Officers, RAC , AA etc have been telling them and the Insurers for years there is a problem.

 

4 year old thread.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/342366-insurance-write-offs-cheshire-police-and-crime-commissioner

 

Edited 9 May, 20197 yr by Skoffski