How to Sell a Written-Off Car Before Storage Fees Add Up in South Africa

Understanding Written-Off Cars & Storage Fees

In South Africa, when a vehicle is declared a total loss or written-off after an accident, it's often left at a panel beater, towing yard, or insurance-approved storage facility while you decide what to do next. However, every day it remains on-site, storage fees can rack up rapidly - ranging from R160 to over R400 per day in major cities. If you own a written-off car, acting quickly can help you avoid these escalating charges and maximise your cash return.

Sell vs. Store: The Cost Comparison

*If collected promptly, fee is often minimal or waived; delays increase costs and reduce payout.

Why Storage Fees Are So High

• Secure facilities charge for space, security, and administration.
• Insurance or towing companies may bill for administrative time, often daily.
• Storage fees accumulate during claim disputes or delays in decision-making.

Instead of paying ongoing fees that eat into your final payout, consider selling your written-off car before these costs have a chance to build up.

How the Sell Your Damaged Car Process Works

Our online service helps South African owners offload written-off, non-running, or accident-damaged vehicles quickly-before unnecessary fees take hold. Here's how:

1. Upload your vehicle information and photos through our secure web form. Include damage details, insurance documents, and storage location.
2. Receive a swift valuation and a transparent, obligation-free offer typically within hours.
3. Accept the offer, and we'll schedule free nationwide towing and collection directly from the facility or yard, minimising storage days.
4. Our team handles all deregistration and purchase paperwork-even if the car is still under finance or you need a letter of permission from the insurer.
5. Funds are released and verified immediately after collection-helping you settle with the insurer or simply get on with life.

Legal & Administrative Notes in South Africa

• If your vehicle is under finance, you may need written settlement from your bank. We'll provide purchase docs for your records.
• Deregistering a written-off car is required for compliance; we supply all necessary paperwork and submit to NaTIS/SAPS if required.
• Proof of purchase and payment protects you against future liability once the vehicle is collected from storage.

Tips to Maximise Your Offer & Avoid Storage Charges

• Act within 24-48 hours when notified about the write-off-fast action keeps offers higher and costs lower.
• Have your paperwork ready: ID, proof of ownership, insurance report, photo evidence.
• Let us coordinate directly with the storage yard or assessor for fuss-free handover.
• Don't delay while deciding between repair, salvage, or sale-fees climb daily.

What Happens After Collection?

1. Your written-off car is deregistered and removed from the national database.
2. You receive a formal record of the sale, a payment confirmation, and closure from both insurer and storage company.
3. Vehicle either enters the salvage market for spares/recycling or, if possible, is repaired by authorised parties-always within legal SA requirements.

Sources

• Sell Your Damaged Car - How It Works & Admin
• Arrive Alive - Accident Damaged Vehicles in SA
• Vehicle Write-Offs - Explained for South Africa
• Insurance Write-Offs & Car Salvage Explained
• Typical Storage Fees - RMCS Tariffs South Africa