Written-Off Vehicle Data
Check whether a vehicle has been written off, including damage category, write-off type, and notification history. Sourced from the WOVR via NEVDIS, delivered via a real-time API.
Types of Write-Off
The Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) classifies written-off vehicles into three categories. Each has different implications for registration, repair, and value:
Statutory Write-Off
The vehicle has been damaged so severely that it cannot be repaired and must never be re-registered in specific states. The vehicle’s identity is effectively retired. Certain parts may be salvaged and used to repair other vehicles, but the vehicle itself cannot return to the road.
Repairable Write-Off
The vehicle has been declared a write-off because the cost of repair exceeds its assessed value - but the damage is not severe enough to be classified as statutory. A repairable write-off can be repaired to manufacturer standards and re-registered, subject to the relevant state or territory’s inspection and re-registration process.
Inspected Repairable Write-Off
A vehicle that was previously classified as a repairable write-off and has since been repaired, inspected, and successfully re-registered. The write-off history remains on the WOVR permanently - the vehicle’s past is recorded even after it returns to the road.
The distinction between these categories is critical. A statutory write-off has zero legal sale value.
A repairable write-off may be roadworthy again - but its history permanently affects its market value.
An inspected repairable write-off is legally registered but commands a lower price than an equivalent vehicle with no write-off history.
Understanding which category applies is essential for anyone transacting, insuring, lending against, or reporting on vehicles.
Damage Categories
The WOVR records the cause of the write-off event. Damage categories include:
Collision
Damage resulting from an accident or impact - the most common cause of vehicle write-offs.
Storm
Damage from severe weather events including hail, wind, and fallen debris.
Flood
Water damage from flooding or submersion. Flood-affected vehicles carry specific risks around electrical systems, corrosion, and hidden damage.
Fire
Damage from fire, whether accidental or resulting from another event.
Other
Includes theft-related damage, vandalism, and other causes not captured in the above categories.
The damage category provides important context beyond the write-off classification itself. A flood-damaged vehicle carries different risks to a collision-damaged one - and a buyer, insurer, or lender who knows the damage type can make a more informed decision.
What You Can Access via InfoAgent
With a rego plate or VIN, InfoAgent returns verified write-off data from the WOVR via NEVDIS. The data returned includes:
Write-Off Status
Whether the vehicle is currently recorded on the WOVR as a written-off vehicle.
Write-Off Type
Statutory write-off, repairable write-off, or inspected repairable write-off. Determines whether the vehicle can legally return to the road.
Damage Category
The recorded cause of the write-off event - collision, storm, flood, fire, or other.
Notification Date
When the write-off was recorded on the register. Relevant for establishing timeline and provenance.
Notification History
Full history of write-off notifications for the vehicle, including multiple events if applicable. A vehicle may have more than one write-off event in its history.
Jurisdiction
The state or territory where the write-off was recorded.
Make, model, year, body type, VIN, and chassis number. Returned alongside write-off data to confirm you’re checking the correct vehicle.
Current registration status and expiry. A written-off vehicle that is also unregistered carries additional risk indicators.
All lookup methods return the same structured, verified data.
Batch processing is also available for high-volume vehicle verification.
Use Cases
Write-off data is critical for any business that transacts, insures, finances, or manages vehicles. Here’s how different sectors use write-off data via InfoAgent:
Insurance Providers
Write-off history is foundational to accurate underwriting and claims assessment. A vehicle with a previous write-off has a different risk profile, a different replacement value, and a higher likelihood of being involved in fraudulent claims. Embed WOVR checks into your quoting and claims workflows to catch issues before they cost you.
Finance Companies
Before lending against a vehicle, confirm it hasn’t been written off. A statutory write-off cannot legally be driven - it has no recoverable value as a vehicle asset. A repairable write-off has materially lower value than a clean equivalent. Write-off checks should be a standard part of every origination and PPSR registration workflow.
Car Dealers & OEMs
A trade-in with undisclosed write-off history is a margin problem and a reputation problem. Run a WOVR check before making an offer on any trade-in, and provide transparent write-off history to buyers at point of sale. Write-off data builds confidence for both sides of the transaction.
Car History Reports
Write-off status is one of the most critical data points in any vehicle history report. Consumers expect it. Businesses rely on it. A car history report without WOVR data is incomplete - and less competitive. Our API returns write-off type, damage category, and notification history, ready for your report front end.
Go Beyond Write-Off Checks
Write-off data is one layer of risk screening. Because InfoAgent aggregates multiple data sources into a single API, you can combine write-off checks with any of the following in the same call:
Check whether the vehicle is reported stolen on the national stolen vehicle register. Write-off and stolen checks together form the core of any vehicle risk screen.
Check for registered security interests and financial encumbrances. A written-off vehicle with an existing PPSR registration raises additional flags.
Full vehicle identity, registration status, and VIN verification. Confirms the vehicle is what it claims to be - and catches identity mismatches that may indicate rebirthing.
Current registration, expiry date, and jurisdiction. A written-off vehicle with lapsed registration carries compounded risk.
Detailed make, model, variant, engine, and body type data. Supports valuation adjustments and damage assessment context.
Market value and projected residual. Write-off history materially affects what a vehicle is worth - valuation data alongside write-off data gives you the full pricing picture.
Where the vehicle is officially registered. Supports geographic risk assessment and fraud detection.
One API. One integration.
Run a comprehensive risk screen in a single call - write-off, stolen, PPSR, registration, identity, and valuation together.
Why InfoAgent
InfoAgent sources passenger and light commercial vehicle data from a combination of official and industry providers:
Authorised NEVDIS & FCAI broker
Registration, VIN verification, write-off and stolen status from Australia’s official vehicle register.
Ethically sourced data
Every dataset comes from authorised government and manufacturer channels. We know exactly where your data comes from, and so will you.
3 Access Points
API, MCP, Desktop Portal.
Flexible lookup options
Query by VIN, rego, or chassis number. Whatever your workflow requires.
Combine with other datasets
Add PPSR, ADAS, EV, warranty, paint codes, and more - all via the same API. No separate integrations.
75+ years of combined experience
Deep understanding of Australian vehicle data, registries, and industry context.
100,000+ lookups daily
Proven at scale for national platforms, insurers, lenders, and government agencies.
Local, responsive support
Real people in Australia who understand vehicle data. Not a ticket queue. Not offshore.
Simple pricing
Per-transaction with volume discounts. No hidden fees.