A vehicle entered on the Written Off Vehicles Register as a repairable write-off cannot be re-registered nor have its registration maintained, unless a current and original Vehicle Identity Validation (VIV) certificate and Certificate of Roadworthiness (RWC) is submitted to VicRoads.
VicRoads may accept an interstate written-off vehicle inspection. However, it reserves the right to require a vehicle entered on the Written off Vehicle Register (WOVR), including specific interstate vehicles classified as inspected write-offs, to undergo a VIV inspection to ensure that the vehicle is correctly identified and repaired appropriately. To find out whether a vehicle is required to undergo a VIV inspection, please call us on (03) 9318 0777.
You will need to make an appointment for a VIV inspection and obtain a VIV Certificate for the vehicle, if the following applies:
A VIV certificate is a document issued by a VicRoads VIV Inspector after inspection of the vehicle. It certifies that the identity of a repairable write-off is:
Items to present at the VIV inspectionThe vehicle must be in a roadworthy and a ready-to-register condition and not require additional repairs.
You will need to provide the following documentation on the day of the inspection (this is subject to amendment from time to time).
If photographs of the vehicle prior to repair are not supplied, the VIV Inspector may request a customer to provide photographs from the auction house where the vehicle was purchased. Some auction houses will charge a fee and there may be a delay in supplying this information. It is the customer’s responsibility to provide and pay for this information if it is required.
Copies of the receipts will be retained by the VIV Inspector. Receipts for substantial body parts (e.g. chassis rails, front or rear sections) must contain the VIN of the vehicle from which the parts were obtained. A VIV Inspector may refuse to accept as evidence of repairs, a receipt provided by a licensed second-hand dealer that fails to reference the vehicle from which the parts were derived.
After the vehicle is first inspected, the inspector may request that you get a structural and/or body measurement report, detailing the actual vehicle measurements, and a copy of the manufacturer’s specifications for comparison. This could be as a result of current or previous structural damage to the vehicle, poor repair/welding, or crumpled rails/body work.
If the vehicle has been immersed in water, or an SRS device (e.g. airbag) has deployed or is faulty, a complete Supplementary Restraint System Report [PDF 220 Kb] (including ECU check) from an authorised dealer will be required before a certificate can be issued. The VIV Inspector will provide you with the relevant forms at the time of inspection.
If a vehicle fails a VIV Inspection for identity reasons, it will be referred to the Victoria Police Organised Motor Vehicle Theft Squad, for further inspection.
If you get a ‘Vehicle Damage and Structural Repair Report’ and/or measurement report, prior to the VIV Inspection, and concerns are raised regarding the repairs, you may be requested to get another report from a repairer independent to the repair process.
The vehicle will be required to be presented at 8:30am sharp on the day allocated, at the VIV Inspection Centre, and be available for the whole day. In some instances, the vehicle may be required for a longer period.
During this time, you are not allowed to be present during the inspection process and therefore should be prepared to leave the vehicle until the inspection is finished.
If you are late in presenting the vehicle for inspection, you may lose your allocated timeslot and be required to re-book the vehicle for another time. You will also lose the deposit you paid when making the booking and a full booking deposit will apply on your next booking.
If the vehicle is not registered, the vehicle may be towed by a tow truck, or driven to the VIV Inspection site. If you wish to drive the vehicle to the inspection site, you will need to get an unregistered vehicle permit by calling VicRoads on 13 11 71.
Alternatively, if you have a Trade Plate, you may temporarily affix that to the vehicle. Remember, for the safety of others and the driver, the vehicle must be in a roadworthy and a ready-to-register condition, before it can be driven on the road.
If you cannot attend a VIV appointment in person, you must appoint an agent to act on your behalf. The agent must provide a letter of authority from you, and must contain the following:
The agent will be required to provide evidence of identity when he/she drops off and picks up the vehicle.
A vehicle can fail a VIV inspection due to:
If your vehicle has failed a VIV inspection, you will be asked to fix the deficiencies identified in the inspection report.
Deficiencies identified in the inspection report are required to be fixed within 20 business days from the date of the issue of the report. Within this time frame, you are required to obtain necessary reports and documentation, and have any deficiencies rectified. The time only allows you to rectify minor non-compliances, and not to undertake major repair work, as the vehicle should have been repaired prior to inspection.
If the vehicle has not been adequately repaired, the inspector may also request that you obtain aVicRoads Vehicle Damage and Structural Repair Report form [PDF 114 Kb]. Any additional repairs required should be documented in a repair diary.
Once the deficiencies have been addressed, you will need to book the vehicle for a re-inspection with the VIV inspection centre A VIV re-inspection fee applies.
If on re-inspection (within the 20 business days), the vehicle is found to not have been repaired correctly, you will have to re-book for a full VIV-inspection after the repair. Full booking and inspection fees apply.
The VIV inspection is not a means to discover what damage is required to be repaired in order for the vehicle to pass the VIV inspection. If a vehicle is presented in a poor and unrepaired condition, the vehicle will fail the inspection and be required to be re-booked when repairs are finalised.
If the vehicle passes the VIV inspection, you will be issued a VIV Certificate. Once issued, the VIV Certificate will be valid for 3 months to give you time to register your vehicle. Only a valid and original copy of the VIV Certificate will be accepted when registering the vehicle. Photocopies or certified copies will not be accepted.
If your VIV certificate validity has expired, you are required to re-submit the vehicle for a full VIV inspection. Full VIV booking and inspection fees apply.
Repeat customers using the VIV Inspection scheme are expected to be aware of all the inspection requirements, including the supply of all required paper work. Failure to supply the required information, or failure to present a vehicle in a repaired and roadworthy condition, will result in difficulties at the time of the VIV inspection.