What documents do I need to sell my damaged car?

You will normally need the vehicle registration certificate (logbook), your South African ID or passport, and proof of ownership. If the logbook is missing you can provide a sworn affidavit and Sell Your Damaged Car will guide you through replacement documentation.

My car still has a finance bond or outstanding loan - can you buy it?

Sell Your Damaged Car can purchase vehicles with outstanding finance, but the bond holder must be settled before ownership can transfer. We can obtain settlement figures and coordinate payment to the lender as part of the sale process.

How do you handle transfer of ownership and deregistration for non-running or written-off vehicles?

We prepare and submit the required transfer forms, collect the necessary signatures, and lodge paperwork with the relevant licensing authority (eNaTIS or municipal licensing office) to complete transfer and, where applicable, deregistration. You will receive written confirmation of the transfer and payment once the process is complete.

Are there tax or VAT obligations I should be aware of when selling my damaged car?

Private sellers are generally not required to charge VAT on a single private vehicle sale, but businesses or VAT-registered sellers must account for VAT. For income tax or capital gains considerations, consult a tax advisor for advice specific to your circumstances.

What happens if my car is part of an insurance claim or a police case?

If the vehicle is subject to an insurance claim or police investigation we will require written clearance from the insurer or police before transfer can proceed. Disclose any open claims or cases up-front so we can advise on the documents needed to lawfully complete the sale.

What Happens to Cars After They're Written Off in South Africa

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What Happens to Cars After They're Written Off in South Africa | Guide

Overview: what “written off” means

When an insurer or assessor declares a car written off (a total loss), it means repair costs, safety concerns or regulatory rules make returning the vehicle to the road impractical or uneconomical. In South Africa this can include repairable write-offs, statutory total losses and flood or fire-damaged vehicles. The outcome for the vehicle depends on the insurer's decision, salvage market demand and legal requirements such as deregistration.

Main pathways for written-off vehicles

Insurer buys the vehicle and sells it to a salvage yard or auction
Vehicle sold to a specialist buyer who repairs, parts-out or exports it
Vehicle is dismantled for parts or crushed and recycled
In some repairable write-offs, a qualified workshop restores the vehicle subject to inspection and legal compliance

Repair cost vs value retained (South Africa examples)

The decision to repair or declare a write-off is usually a financial and safety judgement. The table below shows illustrative ranges typical in SA markets; figures are estimates and will vary by make, model, age and local salvage demand.

Repair cost (R)	Estimated retained market value after repair	Common outcome
R5,000 - R25,000	60% - 85% of pre-accident value	Often repaired; minor write-off unlikely
R25,000 - R80,000	40% - 70% of pre-accident value	Repairable but insurer may deem uneconomic
R80,000+	Variable; often less than 50%	Usually declared total loss; salvage or scrap

Damage types and typical impact on post-write-off outcomes

Damage type	Typical effect on offers and fate
Structural/frame damage	High impact - likely salvage or parts; safety and costs limit full repair
Mechanical failure (engine/gearbox)	Depends on component value - may be parted or repaired by specialist buyer
Flood damage	Severe long-term risk; often declared total loss and sold for parts or export
Fire damage	High impact; usually scrapped or parted for salvageable components

Note: If your vehicle is under finance, the insurer typically pays the lender first. Owners should check outstanding balances and the insurer’s settlement approach; our About / How it works page explains common settlement steps for South African cases.

Who buys written-off cars in South Africa?

A range of buyers operate in the salvage chain: insurer-appointed salvage agents, specialised vehicle recyclers, rebuild workshops, parts traders, auction houses and export brokers. Specialist buyers evaluate vehicles for usable parts, repairability, export potential and scrap metal value. Selling to a professional buyer can be faster and reduce logistics for owners; for details about selling non-running or damaged cars see the Sell Damaged Cars page.

When repair is still an option vs when the car becomes salvage

Repair may be sensible when the vehicle can be restored to safe, roadworthy condition for a reasonable cost relative to its market value. Insurers and owners weigh safety, long-term reliability and resale value. If repair costs substantially exceed the likely post-repair market value, the vehicle commonly moves to salvage channels.

Practical example (illustrative)

A 2012 mid-size vehicle with R45,000 in structural and mechanical repairs may be declared a write-off if its pre-accident market value is R80,000, because the repaired vehicle could struggle to recover value and buyers may avoid previously written-off cars. These examples are illustrative; precise outcomes depend on vehicle details and market demand in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other regions.

How the salvage process works step-by-step

Assessment: insurer or appointed assessor documents damage and costs
Decision: insurer declares total loss or approves repair
Settlement: insurer pays out according to the policy and any finance outstanding
Disposition: vehicle transferred to salvage pool, auction or specialist buyer
Deregistration/administration: necessary transfers and paperwork are completed before resale or disposal

Legal and paperwork considerations in South Africa

Written-off vehicles must follow transfer and deregistration procedures. If you sell a written-off vehicle privately or to a specialist buyer, ensure documentation is complete and the vehicle is correctly transferred. Buyers who intend to repair and re-register a salvage vehicle must comply with roadworthy inspections and any insurer or registration authority conditions. For owners looking to move a non-running vehicle quickly, our Sell Non-Running Car resource explains common paperwork handled by buyers in SA.

Practical tips for owners of written-off cars

Keep all documentation: claim forms, assessor reports and proof of ownership
Ask how finance will be settled if the vehicle is under a loan
Get multiple salvage offers if you retain the vehicle after insurer payout
Confirm who handles deregistration and transfer to avoid future liabilities

After the vehicle leaves the owner: typical end uses

Once sold, written-off vehicles are most commonly:

Parted out - usable engines, transmissions, electronics and body panels are reclaimed
Repaired by specialist workshops and re-registered if compliant with safety checks
Exported to markets where certain types of damage are less restrictive
Crushed and recycled - metal and materials recovered

What owners should expect from reputable buyers

Transparent paperwork, clear information about deregistration, an explanation of how finance will be handled where relevant, and an efficient collection process. Many specialist buyers in South Africa - particularly those serving Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban - provide free towing and will manage transfer paperwork to make the sale straightforward for private owners and small fleets. You can read about the standard buyer process on the homepage.

Final considerations: safety, resale and transparency

Vehicles that were written off for structural or severe water damage can carry long-term safety and reliability risks even after repair. Buyers should ensure any restored vehicle undergoes thorough inspections and obtain a full history. When selling, choose a buyer who documents the transaction and clarifies deregistration and transfer responsibilities.

Sources

If your written-off vehicle is sitting on your property and you want a straightforward, documented sale that includes logistics and paperwork, consider options that provide free nationwide collection and clear transfer handling across South Africa’s major centres, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

What Happens to Cars After They Are Written Off in South Africa

Overview: what “written off” means

Main pathways for written-off vehicles

Repair cost vs value retained (South Africa examples)

Damage types and typical impact on post-write-off outcomes

Who buys written-off cars in South Africa?

When repair is still an option vs when the car becomes salvage

Practical example (illustrative)

How the salvage process works step-by-step

Legal and paperwork considerations in South Africa

Practical tips for owners of written-off cars

After the vehicle leaves the owner: typical end uses

What owners should expect from reputable buyers

Final considerations: safety, resale and transparency

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to sell my damaged car?

What documents do I need to sell my damaged car?

My car still has a finance bond or outstanding loan - can you buy it?

My car still has a finance bond or outstanding loan - can you buy it?

How do you handle transfer of ownership and deregistration for non-running or written-off vehicles?

How do you handle transfer of ownership and deregistration for non-running or written-off vehicles?

Are there tax or VAT obligations I should be aware of when selling my damaged car?

Are there tax or VAT obligations I should be aware of when selling my damaged car?

What happens if my car is part of an insurance claim or a police case?

What happens if my car is part of an insurance claim or a police case?

Why sell your damaged car to us?

A Division of Auction Nation, the leading expert in selling damaged cars

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