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Steps to Sell a Salvage Vehicle in South Africa - Complete Guide

Overview: steps to sell a salvage vehicle in South Africa

Selling a salvage vehicle in South Africa can feel complex if you haven’t done it before. This guide breaks down the essential steps-to-sell-salvage-vehicle-south-africa into clear, practical actions: how to assess whether to sell, what paperwork is required, how valuation works and how to safely transfer the vehicle. The process below assumes the vehicle is damaged, non-running or written-off and that you want a straightforward route to convert it to cash with minimal hassle.

What counts as a salvage or written-off vehicle?

In South Africa, a salvage vehicle is typically one that insurers or assessors deem uneconomical to repair, or that has sustained severe structural, flood or fire damage. Salvage can include mechanically non-running cars, accident-written-off vehicles, or cars with extensive body or frame damage.

When to sell vs repair

Deciding whether to repair or sell depends on repair cost estimates, the car’s pre-damage market value, and how quickly you need to move the vehicle. Use the table below as a quick heuristic - figures are illustrative estimates in South African rand (R) and will vary by vehicle, location and market conditions.

Scenario	Typical repair cost (estimate)	Value retained after repair (estimate)	Suggested action
Minor repairs (bumpers, lights)	R3,000 - R15,000	70%-95% of pre-damage value	Repair if you plan to keep or sell privately
Moderate damage (panels, suspension)	R15,000 - R60,000	40%-70% of pre-damage value	Compare repair cost vs offers for salvage sale
Severe damage (frame, flood, fire)	R60,000+	Usually under 40% of pre-damage value	Sell as salvage; repairs often uneconomic

These are examples only. Market demand for parts and salvage, vehicle age, and model affect real offers. For quick valuation and to see if selling suits you, review how our process works on the About / How it works page.

Step-by-step: How the sale process typically works

Below are the common operational steps-to-sell-salvage-vehicle-south-africa used by reputable buyers. The aim is to limit your time spent arranging transport, quotes and paperwork.

Prepare photos and details: clear photos of exterior, engine bay, interior and odometer plus make, model, year and brief damage description.
Submit an online valuation form or request an inspection - many services, including national buyers, provide fast online offers.
Receive an offer: offers reflect condition, salvage demand, parts value and any outstanding finance on the vehicle.
Accept the offer and schedule collection: reputable buyers provide free towing and handle collection logistics.
Complete paperwork and transfer: the buyer assists with deregistration and transfer documentation where applicable.

For examples of vehicles that are non-running or heavily damaged, see the Sell Damaged Cars page to understand accepted conditions and common scenarios.

Quick note: If the vehicle is still under finance, selling requires notifying the finance house and settling or transferring the debt - this affects timelines and offers.

Legal & paperwork in South Africa

Legal steps differ depending on whether the vehicle is written off by an insurer, has outstanding finance, or is being sold for parts. Key paperwork items include a completed registration certificate (if available), an affidavit of ownership (if required), a completed change of ownership form and a tax invoice or receipt for the sale. Buyers who specialise in salvage often help with deregistration and transfer paperwork, which reduces admin burden for sellers.

Common legal considerations

Outstanding finance: notify the lender; settlement or consent from the finance house is typically needed before transfer.
Written-off status: insurers and assessors should be transparent about the vehicle’s code; this affects resale options.
Deregistration and roadworthiness: salvage sold for parts may be deregistered; vehicles intended for repair and return-to-road require compliance with eNaTIS rules.

Paperwork item	Who usually handles it	Typical timeframe
Change-of-ownership form	Buyer or broker (with seller sign-off)	1-10 business days
Deregistration (if sold for parts)	Buyer specialist	Varies by province
Settlement of outstanding finance	Seller and finance house	Depends on lender

Tips to maximise your salvage offer

Small steps before sale can improve transparency and often increase offers from salvage buyers.

Provide clear photos: multiple angles, close-ups of damage, engine bay and chassis numbers where visible.
Disclose known issues: being upfront about flood, fire or structural damage builds trust and avoids renegotiation at collection.
Gather documents: registration papers, service history and any insurance assessor reports help buyers value the vehicle more accurately.
Be realistic about repairability: older vehicles with high structural damage usually attract offers for parts only.

Damage types vs typical offer impact

Damage type	Typical impact on offers
Cosmetic (panels, paint)	Lower impact; higher offers if drivetrain intact
Mechanical (engine, transmission)	Moderate impact; parts value can still be substantial
Flood or fire	Significant impact; often sold for parts or scrap
Structural/frame	Major impact; lower offers due to repair complexity

If you want to compare options for non-running vehicles, our Sell Non-Running Car information outlines typical timelines and inclusions.

What happens after collection

After collection, the buyer completes agreed paperwork, arranges deregistration if required and processes payment according to the agreed terms. Reputable buyers provide you with a sale receipt and proof of transfer. Expect payment timing to vary: some pay immediately on collection, while others process electronic transfer within a few business days once paperwork is verified.

For sellers in major metros like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, nationwide buyers often include free towing and coordinated collections to reduce delays. To view an example of a full-service offering from a national buyer, see the homepage.

Practical checklist before handover

Remove personal items and secure any keys or spare sets.
Sign the sale receipt and ensure the change-of-ownership form is correctly completed.
Retain copies of all documents, receipts and communications for your records.

Steps to Sell a Salvage Vehicle in South Africa - Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Clear step-by-step process

Know the paperwork

Prepare to improve offers

Overview: steps to sell a salvage vehicle in South Africa

What counts as a salvage or written-off vehicle?

When to sell vs repair

Step-by-step: How the sale process typically works

Legal & paperwork in South Africa

Common legal considerations

Tips to maximise your salvage offer

Damage types vs typical offer impact

What happens after collection

Practical checklist before handover

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the online valuation process work?

How does the online valuation process work?

What documents do I need and will you handle deregistration?

What documents do I need and will you handle deregistration?

Do you buy non-running, accident-written-off or salvage vehicles?

Do you buy non-running, accident-written-off or salvage vehicles?

Do you provide free towing and where do you collect vehicles?

Do you provide free towing and where do you collect vehicles?

How quickly will I receive payment and can you handle fleet sales?

How quickly will I receive payment and can you handle fleet sales?

Why sell your damaged car to us?

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