If your car has been damaged in an accident and the repair costs are too high, you may still be able to sell it for money instead of paying to have it repaired.
Cars Wanted Melbourne buys accident-damaged vehicles in a range of conditions, including cars with major body damage, mechanical problems and vehicles that are no longer economical to repair.
The value of an accident damaged car depends on factors such as its make and model, age, condition, usable parts, extent of damage and potential salvage or recycling value.
If your accident car is no longer suitable for normal road use, you can request a quote based on its current condition and arrange vehicle removal if you decide to sell.
Yes, an accident-damaged vehicle can still have value even when it cannot be safely driven.
The value does not necessarily come from the car being roadworthy. Depending on its condition, value may come from:
A severely damaged vehicle may therefore still be worth selling rather than leaving it unused or paying for repairs that are more expensive than the vehicle’s potential value.
There is no fixed price for every accident car. The amount offered depends on the individual vehicle.
Important factors can include:
Some vehicles have stronger demand for replacement parts and components than others. The make and model can therefore influence the vehicle’s salvage value.
A newer damaged vehicle may have different parts and salvage value from an older vehicle, although age alone does not determine the final offer.
Minor body damage, major structural damage and severe damage affecting the engine or drivetrain can result in significantly different valuations.
An accident may affect the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, cooling system or electrical components. These factors can influence the assessment.
Even when the vehicle cannot be returned to the road, components that remain in usable condition may have value.
The location of the vehicle and the equipment needed to collect it can also be relevant, particularly when the vehicle cannot be driven.
For this reason, the most useful way to obtain an accident-car quote is to provide accurate information about the vehicle and its current condition.
An accident does not have to result in complete destruction for you to request a quote.
Depending on the vehicle and its condition, you can enquire about selling:
If you are unsure whether your vehicle is suitable, provide its details and explain the damage before arranging collection.
Selling an accident-damaged vehicle can be straightforward when the buyer handles both the purchase and removal.
Start by providing information about:
Photos can also help communicate the extent of visible damage.
The vehicle can then be assessed based on its condition, parts value, salvage potential and other relevant factors.
The quoted amount should relate to the actual vehicle rather than assuming that every accident car has the same value.
If the offer suits you, confirm the agreed amount and collection arrangements before handing over the vehicle.
Ask whether the quoted amount includes removal and whether any additional charges apply.
If the vehicle cannot be driven, suitable towing or vehicle-loading equipment can be arranged.
This avoids the need to repair an unsafe vehicle simply to transport it to a buyer.
Make sure the sale and disposal are handled according to the applicable Victorian requirements.
VicRoads provides guidance on selling, transferring and disposing of vehicles in Victoria.
An accident-damaged vehicle may be classified as a written-off vehicle depending on the circumstances.
VicRoads distinguishes between different types of written-off vehicles. A statutory write-off is a vehicle that is too badly damaged to be repaired safely and cannot be registered again in Australia, while a repairable write-off may potentially be repaired and registered subject to applicable requirements.
If your insurer has declared the vehicle a write-off, don’t assume that it has no value.
A written-off vehicle can potentially have value through usable components and recyclable materials. However, the process for dealing with a written-off vehicle can differ from a normal vehicle sale.
If your car has been written off, confirm its status and follow the applicable Victorian requirements before arranging disposal.
Yes, a non-running accident vehicle can still have salvage value.
In fact, many accident vehicles cannot be driven because of damage to the:
Tell the vehicle buyer that the car is non-running when requesting a quote.
This is important because the collection vehicle may need appropriate loading equipment rather than a standard tow arrangement.
An unregistered accident-damaged vehicle can still potentially be sold, but its registration status should be disclosed when requesting a quote.
If the vehicle is no longer registered, don’t drive it on public roads simply to take it to a buyer. Arrange an appropriate collection method instead.
For vehicles being disposed of in Victoria, VicRoads provides specific guidance on cancelling registration, removing number plates and disposing of the vehicle.
Not necessarily.
If the vehicle has major accident damage, it may be worth obtaining a quote before paying for repairs.
For example, an older car with significant front-end damage could require replacement panels, lights, suspension components, mechanical work and painting. The total repair bill may be substantial.
Instead of assuming that repairs are necessary, compare:
Estimated repair cost vs. potential sale value in the vehicle’s current condition.
If repairing the car would cost more than its likely value, selling the damaged vehicle may be an alternative worth considering.
The exact documents depend on the circumstances of the vehicle and sale.
You should have relevant vehicle information available, such as:
When selling a registered Victorian vehicle, VicRoads states that the seller needs to notify VicRoads of the sale within 14 days and complete the required notice-of-disposal process with the buyer.
If your vehicle has been written off, unregistered or retained after an insurance claim, additional requirements may apply.
Always check the current VicRoads requirements for your particular situation.
Before the vehicle is removed, take a few minutes to prepare it.
Check:
Remove any personal documents, valuables or items you want to keep.
If you have a toll tag attached to the vehicle, remove it and follow your toll provider’s instructions.
Keep your insurance, registration and sale documentation where applicable.
Confirm:
This can help prevent delays when the vehicle is collected.
If you want an accurate assessment, provide complete and honest information about the vehicle.
Give the make, model and year rather than relying on a general description such as “damaged car”.
Tell the buyer which areas were damaged and whether the vehicle still starts and drives.
Photos of the front, rear, sides, interior and major damage can help communicate the vehicle’s condition.
If major components are still present and functional, mention them when requesting a quote.
A quote based on incomplete information may need to be revised after the vehicle is inspected. Providing accurate information from the beginning can make the process more transparent.
Don’t compare only the headline purchase price. Check whether vehicle removal, towing or other charges are included.
Repairing an accident vehicle can make sense in some circumstances, but it is not always financially practical.
Repair costs can include:
If several major systems have been damaged, the total cost can increase quickly.
Getting a quote for the vehicle in its current condition gives you another figure to consider before committing to repairs.
Cars Wanted Melbourne provides vehicle removal services across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.
Accident car removal Melbourne can be useful if your vehicle is:
If the vehicle is located somewhere with restricted access, such as an underground car park or narrow driveway, mention this when arranging collection so the appropriate removal method can be considered.
The next step depends on the condition and status of the vehicle.
An accident-damaged vehicle may be assessed for reusable components before the remaining materials are processed appropriately.
Parts that remain usable may have value as replacement components, while recyclable materials can be recovered from the vehicle.
For a severely damaged vehicle, responsible disposal and recycling can help recover materials rather than leaving the vehicle abandoned or sending recoverable material directly to landfill.
Selling an accident damaged vehicle privately can involve additional work.
You may need to:
A dedicated accident car buyer can provide an alternative where the focus is on assessing the damaged vehicle and arranging its removal.
The right option depends on your vehicle, its condition and how quickly you want to sell it.
Before accepting an offer, check the following:
Vehicle
Quote
Collection
Documentation
Using this checklist can make the sale and removal process easier to manage.
If you have an accident-damaged vehicle that you no longer want to repair or keep, Cars Wanted Melbourne can assess the vehicle and provide a quote based on its condition.
You can enquire about selling cars that are:
Provide the vehicle’s make, model, year, condition and Melbourne location when requesting a quote.
If you accept the offer, arrange a suitable collection time and confirm the sale and removal details before the vehicle is collected.
Yes, accident-damaged cars can still have value through reusable components, salvage value and recyclable materials. The amount depends on the vehicle’s make, model, age, condition and extent of damage.
There is no fixed value for an accident car. Factors such as the vehicle’s make, model, age, damage, mechanical condition, usable parts and recycling value can affect the offer.
Yes. A non-running accident car can still have salvage or recycling value. Tell the buyer that the vehicle cannot be driven so appropriate collection equipment can be arranged.
You may be able to dispose of a written-off vehicle, but the applicable process depends on the type and status of the write-off. VicRoads provides specific guidance for written-off vehicles and vehicle disposal.
Not necessarily. You can request a quote based on the vehicle’s current condition before deciding whether repairs are financially worthwhile.
You can enquire about selling an unregistered accident car. Tell the buyer that it is unregistered so the appropriate collection and documentation requirements can be considered.
Provide the make, model, year, location, registration status and details of the accident damage. Photos can also help communicate the vehicle’s current condition.
Accident car removal services can be arranged across Melbourne depending on the vehicle’s location, condition and access. Confirm collection availability when requesting your quote.
Keep your sale and disposal records and complete the applicable Victorian transfer or disposal requirements. For a registered vehicle, VicRoads says sellers must notify it of the sale within 14 days.
