What happens to your insurance when your car breaks down for good? A permanent breakdown does not, by itself, cancel your car insurance or guarantee a payout. Your next step depends on why the car stopped running, whether you have a claim in progress and what your policy says about cancellation.

When a car finally gives up, most Perth owners’ first thought is what to do with the vehicle itself. Insurance can get forgotten until the renewal notice or next direct debit arrives. Even an undrivable car may still face theft, fire or storm damage while it sits at your property, so check your cover before deciding when to end it.

Your Policy Doesn’t Cancel Itself

Do not assume your insurer knows the engine has failed or that you have stopped using the car. Contact them, explain its condition and ask whether the policy can continue while it is stored. Tell them about any change to where it is kept or how it is used, and check the notification requirements in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

A car that cannot be driven is not necessarily a car with nothing left to insure. The cover available while it is parked depends on the policy’s conditions and exclusions. Ask for confirmation rather than assuming every risk remains covered.

Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover the Breakdown?

Ordinary mechanical failure and wear and tear are generally excluded from standard comprehensive car insurance. A worn-out engine or failed gearbox is different from damage caused by an insured event, such as a collision or fire. The cause matters more than whether the car can still start.

For example, an older Mazda hatchback with a failed engine may still have saleable parts, but that does not make the engine failure an insured loss. A buyer’s offer for the vehicle and an insurer’s claim assessment answer different questions.

If the cause is uncertain, keep the mechanic’s diagnosis and speak to your insurer before disposing of the car. A manufacturer’s warranty, separate mechanical breakdown policy or roadside assistance membership may have different benefits; check those agreements separately.

Timing Your Cancellation Around the Sale

If there is no claim to resolve, ask your insurer how to arrange cancellation around the actual handover. Confirm the date and time, rather than relying on an estimated collection day. If pickup is delayed, check whether the cancellation needs changing so you understand any gap in cover.

An accident-related claim needs more care. Selling or dismantling the vehicle before the insurer has inspected it can interfere with the assessment. Discuss selling during an insurance claim with the claims team before agreeing to a handover.

Ask the claims team whether they still need the vehicle, who will own the salvage after settlement and whether you are allowed to sell it yourself. Obtain their instructions in writing before authorising collection. Do not assume a repair quote or verbal description of the car as a “write-off” settles those questions.

What if the insurer pays a total loss claim?

The policy may end when a total loss claim is settled, under its terms. That is different from a mechanical breakdown automatically cancelling it. RAC WA, for example, says outstanding instalments of an annual premium must be paid when a total loss claim is completed. Ask your own insurer what deductions and remaining payments apply.

Car Insurance and WA Rego Are Separate Decisions

The decision about rego on a non-running car is separate from ending comprehensive insurance. Cancelling comprehensive insurance does not cancel a WA vehicle licence. Motor Injury Insurance is also different from cover for damage to your car: the Insurance Commission of Western Australia describes it as cover for injuries caused to others in a crash.

Transport WA says you cannot temporarily suspend a vehicle licence simply because the car is unused. Voluntary cancellation requires surrendering the number plates at a service centre or regional agent. Eligible vehicle licence and Motor Injury Insurance refunds are handled separately from your comprehensive insurer’s refund.

Decide what you want to do with each account and confirm the result with the organisation responsible. A cancellation email from your car insurer is not confirmation that your WA vehicle licence has been cancelled.

Cancelling vs Adjusting Your Cover

If the car will sit for a while, ask whether your insurer offers suitable cover for a vehicle in storage. A cheaper or reduced policy is not automatically available, and it may cover fewer events. Compare the exclusions and excess with the risks you still want covered.

Give the insurer the actual storage address. A car waiting at a home in Anketell may have different storage arrangements from one at a repairer’s yard. If you later organise collection from Anketell, confirm the handover time before finalising the insurance end date.

If you are replacing the car, ask whether the insurer can change the insured vehicle instead of ending the policy. Confirm when the replacement cover begins, any premium adjustment and whether the old car remains covered during the changeover.

Will You Get a Refund?

A cancellation refund depends on your policy, how much premium you have paid and whether you have claimed. Ask for the refund calculation and any cancellation fee before agreeing to an end date. Paying monthly can mean instalments of an annual premium, so do not assume there is nothing left to pay.

Total loss settlements can have different rules. RAC WA’s car insurance PDS says a premium refund does not apply after it has paid a total loss claim. Other insurers’ terms may differ. Check the PDS that applies to your policy, rather than treating a general refund estimate as a promise.

Before the Car Leaves Your Possession

Keep your policy number, any claim reference, the insurer’s instructions and the collection receipt together. Confirm that any outstanding assessment is complete, check the agreed cancellation time and retain the written confirmation. Then review the next payment or refund against what the insurer told you.

If you have decided the car will not be repaired and your insurer has confirmed it can be sold, our broken car removal service can help you arrange its collection.

Do you still pay rego on a car that doesn’t run in WA? Yes, if you want to keep its vehicle licence current. A breakdown does not pause the licence. You can choose to cancel it, but ignoring the renewal notice and leaving the plates on the car is not a complete solution.

Short answer: rego depends on the licence, not whether the car runs

The same licensing rules apply to an undrivable car as to one you use regularly. A failed engine does not tell the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) to change the vehicle’s licence status. Check the expiry date before deciding whether to keep the licence current or cancel it.

You do not have to keep renewing a car indefinitely because it once had registration. The important distinction is between paying to maintain a current licence and taking the steps to stop licensing the vehicle. Simply parking it and forgetting the notice leaves that decision unresolved.

There is no built-in pause option

DTMI’s renewal guidance says you cannot temporarily suspend a WA vehicle licence, even when you are not using the vehicle. Voluntary cancellation requires surrendering the number plates at a service centre or regional agent. If you later want the cancelled vehicle licensed again, it must be inspected and you must apply for a vehicle licence.

For a short repair, keeping the licence current may be practical. For a car you have decided to retire, compare that ongoing commitment with cancellation. Make the decision before another renewal arrives, rather than assuming the engine failure has already changed the record.

What happens if you let the rego expire?

Expiry is not a grace period for driving. Once the vehicle licence has expired, you cannot legally drive the car on the road. If it is repaired during that time, do not assume being mechanically sound makes it legal to drive again.

WA owners must renew the vehicle licence or return the plates within three months of expiry. Keeping the plates beyond that deadline can lead to an infringement. Follow any return notice you receive; do not treat three months as permission to ignore an earlier instruction.

This matters when a car has been sitting untouched while you wait for a workshop diagnosis or decide what to do with it. Check the date on the notice now, and keep a record of the action you take.

Can you get a refund for the time you don’t use?

If you surrender the plates before the paid licence period ends, you may be able to recover the unused vehicle licence fees. For a surrender-of-plates refund, DTMI uses the date the plates are returned, rather than the day the car stopped running. Waiting can therefore reduce the remaining period available for a refund.

DTMI also administers pro rata Motor Injury Insurance (MII) refunds when a vehicle is de-licensed. MII is the injury insurance component associated with vehicle licensing. If you are also reviewing insurance after a breakdown, keep that separate policy decision distinct from the licence refund.

Refunds are payable to the WA licensed vehicle owner, subject to the applicable rules. Eligible credits may appear in an individual’s DoTDirect account; otherwise, DTMI provides an Application for Refund, Form C2. Keep the plate-return receipt and check the refund process rather than assuming money will be returned automatically.

Should you keep it registered while deciding on repairs?

Start with a diagnosis and a realistic repair plan. A temporary fault with a booked repair is a different situation from a car you no longer intend to use. Consider how soon it could be repaired, whether further work is likely and whether you still need it.

For example, a non-running Kia hatchback with a confirmed repair date presents a different decision from the same car with an unresolved engine failure. The make alone does not settle the rego question: your plans for the vehicle and its current licence status matter more.

Keep the repair decision and the licensing decision alongside each other. Cancelling a licence may avoid further renewals, but returning the car to licensed use later involves inspection and a fresh application. That consequence belongs in your comparison before you surrender the plates.

What if you’re selling it instead of fixing it?

First establish whether the car will be sold with a current WA vehicle licence or de-licensed for removal. A normal sale of a licensed vehicle and cancellation by surrendering plates are different processes. Number plates do not always stay with the seller when a car changes hands; optional plates also have their own transfer arrangements.

For a WA licensed vehicle, the seller must notify DTMI within seven days of selling, gifting or disposing of it. A transfer notification records the change of owner; it is not the same transaction as cancelling the licence and applying for a refund. Confirm which process applies before handover.

For collection from a home in Anketell, tell the transporter whether the car rolls, steers and brakes, and whether there is room to reach it. Agree on how it will be loaded and who is handling the plates. These details help you organise the physical collection alongside the licence decision.

Keep the sale receipt, any notification confirmation and the plate-return receipt where relevant. If the car is already unlicensed or you are unsure how its status affects the transaction, check with DTMI before relying on the process for a currently licensed vehicle.

Decide what happens to the car, then deal with the rego

A car that does not run needs a clear next step: repair it, retain it without a current licence, or sell it. Check the expiry date, decide whether to renew or surrender the plates, and follow through. The breakdown itself does not complete any of those steps.

If you have decided against repairs, our broken car removal service can help you arrange collection; call 0420 262 651 to discuss your car.

To lodge a notification of disposal in WA, notify the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) within seven days of selling a WA licensed vehicle. Use DoTDirect if the transfer is eligible, or submit the seller’s copy of Form MR9. If the vehicle’s licence is being cancelled for wrecking, check the cancellation and plate-return process instead of assuming an ordinary transfer applies.

The distinction matters whether you are selling a second-hand car to another driver or handing a vehicle over for dismantling. Start with its current licence status, then follow the appropriate steps below.

Why This Step Matters

The seller’s notification records that a licensed vehicle has changed hands. DTMI requires the new owner’s name and address, and failure to notify within the required period can attract a penalty. Keep your sale receipt and lodgement evidence together so you can explain the transaction if correspondence arrives later.

A Quick Note on Terminology

“Notification of disposal” is the phrase many sellers search for. WA’s paper form is called Notification of Change of Ownership – Vehicle Licence Transfer (MR9). A licence transfer, voluntary licence cancellation and written-off vehicle notification have different purposes; completing one should not be treated as proof that all three have been handled.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Have the current vehicle licence paper and the agreed sale details beside you. Read identifiers from the documents rather than relying on a description in an advertisement: a Hyundai hatchback, for example, still needs its precise model and vehicle identifiers recorded.

• Your seller details and the buyer’s full name and address.
• The plate number, make, model, VIN or chassis number and engine number.
• The date of disposal, purchase price and dutiable value.
• The licence expiry date, odometer reading and other details requested on MR9.

MR9 contains separate seller and purchaser declarations. Both parties must sign the paper form, and incomplete information can cause the transfer to be rejected. Read its instructions if the transaction is a gift or involves related parties; the sale price is not automatically the appropriate dutiable value in every case.

Step-by-Step: Lodging Your Notification

Step 1: Choose Your Method

For an eligible transfer, sign in to DoTDirect through the official WA vehicle-selling page. Have the plate number, buyer details and sale information ready. Follow the prompts and review the information before submitting; screen labels can change.

DoTDirect cannot handle every transfer. DTMI lists exclusions including transfers to or from a company or organisation, heavy vehicles, optional plates, joint ownership and certain court-order or deceased-estate transactions. If selling to a business, check this before choosing the online route.

For a vehicle being permanently taken off the road, owners can voluntarily cancel the licence by surrendering the plates. DTMI also provides a lost or stolen plate notification process. Our guide to rego after a car accident discusses the related cancellation and refund questions.

Step 2: Complete the Details

If online transfer is unavailable, download the current MR9 vehicle licence transfer form. Complete it with the buyer, checking the names, addresses, vehicle details and disposal date against your records.

Ask for the purchasing business’s correct name and address before the vehicle leaves. If collection is from your home in Alkimos, distinguish the pickup address from the buyer’s business address when recording the transaction.

For a paper transfer, give the purchaser their red copy and the current licence paper. Keep the blue seller’s copy for submission. The buyer has a separate obligation to notify DTMI within 14 days; their paperwork does not replace your seven-day deadline.

Step 3: Submit Within Seven Days

Submit the blue seller’s copy at a DTMI service centre or regional agent, or post it to Driver and Vehicle Services, GPO Box R1290, Perth WA 6844. Plan the lodgement when arranging the sale, rather than leaving it until the deadline.

Step 4: Keep Your Confirmation

Save any online confirmation, a copy of the completed form and any lodgement receipt. Record the handover date and keep the buyer’s details with the sale receipt. If details are wrong or you are unsure whether the transaction was processed, contact DTMI on 13 11 56.

What Happens to Your Number Plates

Do not assume WA plates always stay with the seller. An ordinary licensed sale differs from cancelling a licence, and optional plates have their own transfer or exchange requirements.

If you want to keep optional plates, arrange their exchange at a DTMI service centre or regional agent before selling the vehicle. If they are sold with it, complete the relevant plate-entitlement details and follow DTMI’s transfer requirements.

If the Vehicle Is Already a Written-Off Vehicle

DTMI cancels the licence when a vehicle is recorded on the Written-Off Vehicle Register as a statutory or repairable write-off. Its written-off vehicle guidance says plates must be returned within 28 days and the registered owner receives a cancellation letter.

If an insurer or wrecker has the plates, confirm whether they will return them for you. Check the cancellation letter and current licence status before attempting a transfer. Ask DTMI which notification applies if the licence has already been cancelled; do not assume MR9 can transfer an unlicensed vehicle.

Before the Vehicle Leaves

Ask the buyer for a receipt identifying the business, vehicle and handover date. Check that it matches the sale information you have recorded, and photograph the vehicle identifiers if the licence papers are difficult to read.

Confirm who will lodge any applicable seller paperwork and who will return the plates. Keep evidence of those arrangements. A pickup receipt is useful evidence of the handover, but it should not be treated as a government lodgement confirmation.

Get It Done Properly, Then Get It Sorted

Check the licence status, record the buyer accurately, meet the applicable deadline and keep confirmation. For a licensed sale, choose DoTDirect or MR9 according to eligibility; for cancellation or an existing write-off, confirm the plate and notification requirements with DTMI.

If you need help arranging collection of a vehicle destined for recycling, our scrap car removal service can talk through the handover details on 0420 262 651.

A seized engine is one of the more expensive mechanical failures a car can have, and it’s a common reason Perth owners end up asking whether their car is worth fixing at all. The answer depends heavily on the make and model — not just parts costs, but how those parts are sourced, how complex the labour is, and what the car is actually worth once it’s running again. Here’s how the economics play out across different vehicle types on WA roads.

What a Seized Engine Actually Means

An engine seizes when moving internal components — pistons, bearings, the crankshaft — stop being able to move freely. Common causes include oil starvation, severe overheating, a snapped timing belt letting valves and pistons collide, or water ingress from driving through flooding. It’s rarely a simple repair; most cases need a full rebuild or replacement, which is why mechanics quote it very differently from a routine breakdown.

Why the Repair Cost Depends So Heavily on the Make

Three things drive the price up or down: how easy parts are to source, how many hours of labour the job takes, and whether a second-hand engine is available as an alternative to a new or reconditioned one. This is where the make of the car starts to matter.

Mass-Market Japanese and Korean Models

Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia have been sold in huge numbers across WA for decades, and their engines are shared across many models. Wrecking yards — including our own yard in Welshpool — regularly hold used engines and components from these brands, which keeps sourcing more straightforward than for less common vehicles. Labour and reconditioning costs still add up though, so it’s worth confirming with a mechanic before committing to a repair.

Popular Utes and 4WDs

Vehicles like the Hilux, Ranger, D-Max, Navara and Prado see heavy work and off-road use across WA, and seized engines aren’t rare on these models, particularly from overheating or running low on oil during long trips. Being so widely owned, parts are usually easier to find, but diesel engines are heavier and more complex, with turbos, injectors and emissions componentry adding to labour time and cost.

European Models

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen present a different picture. Parts are often imported, diagnostic work typically needs specialist equipment, and used engines are less plentiful in local wrecking yards than Japanese equivalents. Combined with lower resale value on older, high-kilometre European vehicles, a seized engine on one of these cars tends to tip the decision towards selling rather than repairing.

Older Australian-Built Models

Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons are still common around Perth, but since local manufacturing ended in 2017, new parts supply has been shrinking. Used engines remain available through wreckers, but the market value of these cars is often modest enough that a full engine rebuild rarely stacks up financially.

The Break-Even Question

Regardless of make, the same basic maths applies: get a firm repair quote (parts, labour and diagnostics included), then compare it with what the car is realistically worth running again. It’s the same calculation Perth owners face with other expensive engine problems, such as a blown head gasket. If the quote comes close to or exceeds that figure, it’s generally not worth proceeding. What the car is actually worth depends on:

• Age and odometer reading
• Service history and general body condition
• Whether the vehicle is currently registered
• How in-demand the make and model is on the second-hand market
• Any other existing mechanical or panel damage

A high-kilometre car with expired rego and other issues on top of the seized engine is a very different proposition to a low-kilometre, well-maintained one that’s otherwise in good shape.

If You Decide Not to Repair: WA Rules to Know

If you land on selling an undrivable car rather than repairing it, a couple of WA-specific steps are worth knowing. Standard number plates stay with the vehicle when it’s sold, not with you — only optional plates need to be transferred separately. You’re also required to notify the WA Department of Transport within 7 days of the sale, giving the new owner’s name and address; missing that window can mean a $100 infringement.

Selling a Car with a Seized Engine in Perth

A seized engine doesn’t need to be fixed before you sell. Cash For Cars Perth buys vehicles with seized or blown engines along with other non-running, accident-damaged, flood or fire-damaged, deregistered and written-off cars, utes, trucks, vans and 4WDs of any make, and arranges free same-day towing from our base at Hantke Place, Welshpool. Every vehicle is different, so the fairest way to find out what yours is worth is to give us a call on 0420 262 651 — we’ll price it on the details and confirm it before pickup. We’re open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

Common Questions

Can you still drive a car with a seized engine?
No — once an engine seizes, the internal components can no longer move, so the car won’t start or run at all. It needs to be towed rather than driven.

Can a seized engine be fixed without a full rebuild?
Rarely. Most seized engines need a full rebuild or a replacement engine, since the internal damage from a seizure is usually too extensive for a partial repair.

Does insurance cover a seized engine?
It depends on the cause and your policy. Mechanical breakdown from normal wear is typically excluded, though damage from an insured event — such as flooding — may be covered. Check your PDS or ask your insurer directly.

A blown head gasket can turn an ordinary maintenance question into a decision about the whole car. Comparing a blown head gasket repair with new car repayments means looking beyond one workshop quote and one monthly instalment. Put both choices on the same time frame, then include likely follow-up work, the days without a vehicle and what your current car may still be worth. A broken car does not automatically need replacing, and a major repair does not automatically make keeping it the cheaper choice.

What a head gasket repair estimate covers

The head gasket seals the joint between the engine block and cylinder head. When it fails, symptoms can include overheating, coolant loss, contaminated oil or poor compression, but the cause and extent of damage need a mechanic’s diagnosis. Replacing the gasket usually involves substantial disassembly, so ask for a written estimate that explains the labour, parts, machining or inspection allowance, fluids and any cooling-system work included.

Why the first estimate can change

The cylinder head may need machining if it has warped, and overheating can damage other engine components. Some problems only become clear after the head is removed. Ask the workshop to explain what is confirmed, what remains uncertain, how extra work will be approved and what warranty applies to the repair. A low initial estimate is difficult to compare if it excludes likely work or uses a different scope from another quote.

Costs that sit outside the workshop bill

Downtime has a cost even when it does not appear on the invoice. Consider public transport, rideshare trips, borrowing another car or hiring one, plus the time needed to arrange each trip. Ask the workshop how long diagnosis and repair are expected to take, and whether parts availability could extend that period. Also consider whether the car has other upcoming maintenance needs; fixing the gasket will not make worn tyres, brakes or other faults disappear.

Compare repair and replacement over the same period

Choose a realistic period for the comparison, such as the next few years, and use the same start and end points for each option. For repair, list the confirmed work, a sensible allowance for uncertain follow-up items, transport during downtime and routine running costs. Then estimate what the car could be worth at the end of that period if it is repaired and maintained.

For replacement, compare the cost of the next vehicle with the amount you would receive for the current car as it sits. Include the deposit, loan fees and interest, insurance, registration, servicing and likely repairs. Keep the accounting consistent: a cash-flow comparison can show instalments and other payments, while a total-cost comparison separates loan principal from interest and accounts for the vehicle’s value at the end. Avoid counting the full loan principal and then subtracting the resale value without checking that both sides use the same method.

A seized engine is a different failure with a different repair scope. The seized-engine repair guide looks at that decision by vehicle make, while this comparison focuses on a head gasket and the alternative of taking on repayments.

How the car’s value changes the decision

Do not rely only on what the car cost when it was new or on a broad estimate for its model. Its age, kilometres, service history, body condition, equipment and local demand all affect its value. A common model such as a Toyota model may have a different parts and resale market from a less common vehicle, but the badge alone cannot tell you what your individual car is worth. Compare like with like: the likely value after repair against a realistic value in its current condition.

Ask a mechanic for a diagnosis and a written quote, and check comparable vehicles rather than assuming the repair will add its full cost to the sale price. If you are considering a sale, account for the vehicle’s condition honestly and keep any service records or repair estimates available for the buyer.

If you decide to sell in Western Australia

For a WA-licensed vehicle that is sold or otherwise disposed of, the seller must notify the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure within seven days. Plate handling depends on the plate type and whether it is being sold with the vehicle; sellers who want to retain state or district plates need to remove them and arrange replacement plates before the sale. Check Transport WA’s current seller guidance for the applicable process.

Collection access can affect your options if the vehicle cannot be driven. For a local example, the Ellenbrook location information shows the suburb-level context to consider; your own vehicle’s location and access determine what is practical.

Make the decision from the full picture

Repairing may make sense when the car is otherwise sound, the scope is clear and the total cost fits your budget. Replacing may suit you better when the repair leaves little value in the vehicle, important costs remain uncertain or you would rather direct that money toward another car. Write down both totals, note which estimates are uncertain, and choose the option that works for your finances and transport needs.

If you decide to move on from a car that cannot be driven, the damaged-vehicle information explains what to consider when arranging an assessment.

Can you sell a financed car after an accident? Yes, it can be possible, but first establish how any loan secured against the car will be paid out and released. An accident does not erase the debt, and an insurance settlement does not automatically mean you still own the wreck.

The practical starting point is to contact your lender and, if you are claiming, your insurer. Explain that you are considering selling the accident-damaged car, ask what must happen before handover, and keep their instructions in writing. Do this before agreeing to collection or accepting a buyer’s payment.

The Short Answer: Yes, But the Finance Comes First

For a secured car loan, clearing the lender’s interest is part of arranging a sale with clear title. That may mean paying out the loan beforehand, or following a settlement arrangement agreed with the lender and buyer. Do not assume every buyer can handle a direct payout to your lender.

Ask for a current payout figure, its expiry date and the process for releasing the security interest. The figure can differ from the balance shown in an app because the settlement date, interest and applicable fees matter. A buyer’s offer for the damaged car and your loan payout are two separate amounts.

What “Under Finance” Actually Means

A secured loan uses the car as security. A security interest registered on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) warns a buyer that someone else may have rights over it. An unresolved interest can expose the buyer to repossession risk even after they have paid you.

An unsecured personal loan is different: the car is not security for that loan. Selling it still does not cancel what you owe. Check the loan contract rather than assuming that every loan used to buy a vehicle creates the same restriction.

After a secured loan is settled, obtain written confirmation from the lender and check that the relevant PPSR registration has been removed. A repayment receipt alone is not the same as confirmation that the security interest has been released.

If Your Insurer Has Written the Car Off

A total-loss settlement depends on your policy. It may use agreed value or market value, with deductions such as an excess under the policy terms. Ask the insurer to explain the net settlement and how any payment to the finance company will be handled. Compare that amount with the lender’s current payout figure.

Also establish who will own the wreck after settlement. The insurer may keep it; retaining it can involve a reduced payout. The timing of a sale can also affect your insurance claim, so obtain the insurer’s written position before promising the vehicle to anyone else.

When the Payout Doesn’t Cover What You Owe

If the insurance payment is less than the loan payout, there may be a shortfall left to repay. Ask the lender for the remaining balance after the insurance payment has been applied. If you already have gap cover, check its terms and exclusions rather than assuming it will pay the difference.

If you cannot manage the remaining repayments, contact the lender’s hardship team promptly or speak to a financial counsellor. Do not stop repayments simply because the car is damaged or a claim is underway; ask the lender what arrangements apply while it is being resolved.

Selling a Damaged Car Outside of an Insurance Claim

Without an insurance payout, compare the car’s current offer with the amount needed to settle the secured loan. A damaged Holden sedan, for example, may still have usable parts, but its sale price is not determined by the debt against it. If the offer falls short, ask the lender how the difference must be resolved before it will release its interest.

Describe the damage accurately when seeking an assessment. Make, model, completeness and the condition of major components help explain why offers differ. Keep this estimate separate from any pre-accident insurance valuation: they answer different questions.

Steps to Take Before Calling a Wrecker

1. Request a dated payout quote and ask about settlement fees.
2. Explain the proposed sale and ask how the lender requires payment and release to occur.
3. Confirm whether the buyer can work with that arrangement; disclose the finance before accepting an offer.
4. Resolve any shortfall and obtain written evidence of settlement and release.
5. Check the PPSR result and confirm you have authority to sell before arranging handover.

Arrange Collection Only Once You Are Clear to Sell

Keep the lender’s release, the insurer’s settlement instructions and the buyer’s written agreement together. If a repairer or storage yard holds the car, ask about release arrangements and any outstanding charges before booking a tow. A collection booking does not resolve a finance or ownership dispute.

For collection by our team based at Hantke Place in Welshpool, explain where the car is held and who can authorise its release. Confirm access and collection timing after the lender and insurer have completed the necessary steps.

If the car has been recorded on WA’s Written-Off Vehicle Register, its licence is cancelled and the number plates must be returned within 28 days. Confirm whether the insurer or wrecker will return them on your behalf. This is different from treating every ordinary vehicle sale as requiring plate removal.

Ready to Sell Once the Finance Is Cleared?

Before handing over the car, make sure the loan release is confirmed, any insurance claim allows the sale, and you still have the right to sell the vehicle. Keep copies of the settlement and sale records so you can follow up if a payment or PPSR update is delayed.

If you retain the wreck and the finance is cleared, our written-off car removal service can help you work out the next step.

An accident car sitting in your driveway can keep costing you long after the crash. There may be bills to review, parking space you cannot use and damage that gets worse while you decide what to do. The cost is different for every vehicle, but leaving it untouched does not necessarily preserve what it is worth.

Some cars need time for an assessment or repair decision. Others are accident-damaged vehicles that the owner has already decided not to repair. The useful distinction is whether you are waiting for something specific or simply putting the decision off.

The Financial Cost of Doing Nothing

Start with the costs you can actually identify. Look through recent payments and any storage or transport arrangements connected with the car. Separate costs that have already been incurred from costs that will continue while it stays where it is. A repair estimate is not the same thing as a bill you have agreed to pay.

If you are still paying for insurance, ask your insurer how the damage and the car’s storage affect your policy and any outstanding claim. That gives you a clearer picture than assuming the cover has ended or cancelling it without checking. The answer depends on your own circumstances.

There is also the inconvenience of working around it. You may be parking a replacement car elsewhere, moving other vehicles to reach the garage, or paying for transport while a repair decision drags on. Write down the costs that apply to you rather than relying on a generic estimate of what a damaged car costs each week.

The Environmental Cost You Don’t See

A collision can damage seals, fluid lines or the sump. Oil, coolant and other fluids may then leak while the car is parked. On concrete, that can leave stains; on soil, gravel or near a stormwater drain, the spill can spread beyond the parking spot. A clean-looking patch beneath the car today is not a guarantee that damaged components will stay sealed.

Check for fresh marks around the vehicle without going underneath it. If you notice a leak, arrange an assessment instead of waiting for the next rain to wash it away. The aim is to identify the problem before it creates more clean-up work around the driveway.

Leaving a damaged car outdoors also exposes broken windows, bent panels and open gaps to the weather. Water entering the cabin can spoil trim and carpets that survived the original impact. That is an additional loss, separate from the crash damage you already know about.

Why a Damaged Car Can Lose Value While It Sits

The original accident does not necessarily damage every component. A Renault hatchback or SUV, for example, may have damaged front panels while doors and interior trim remain usable. If broken glass then lets rain into the cabin, some of those previously unaffected parts may deteriorate too.

That does not mean every parked car loses the same amount each week. Storage conditions, the original damage and demand for the remaining parts all matter. Scrap metal markets can move in either direction, so a later offer is not guaranteed to be lower. The avoidable loss is letting the vehicle’s condition worsen while nothing moves forward.

When comparing a repair estimate with what the car might be worth afterwards, use vehicles of the same age, model and condition. The principles of working out second-hand car value help with that comparison, but an undamaged car’s advertised price is not a reliable value for your car in its current state.

Keep the comparison focused on the decision ahead. Money already spent on the car does not establish its current worth, and an optimistic asking price does not tell you what a buyer will pay. Separate its possible value after repairs from what it could return with the damage left as it is.

The Driveway Space You Cannot Use

There’s also the space itself — a driveway or carport taken up by a wreck is space you can’t use for a car you actually drive. Think about everyday access: opening the garage, taking the bins out, getting a pram past or reaching stored equipment. Those small interruptions can become the most noticeable cost of keeping the car.

If collection is the eventual plan, assess access early. At a home in Hocking or elsewhere in Perth, a car behind another vehicle or close to a garage wall may need more planning than one with clear access. Photos of the driveway and information about whether the wheels turn help the collector understand the situation.

Avoid letting boxes, garden equipment or another parked car gradually block the route out. Keeping access clear makes the eventual repair or collection arrangement easier, even if you are still waiting for an assessment.

Getting It Off Your Property

Give the delay a purpose and a review date. If you are waiting for a repair assessment, identify what information is missing and when you expect it. If there is an unresolved insurance claim, discuss the next step with the insurer before arranging a sale. If you have decided against repairs, make a practical plan for moving the car on.

Ask a prospective collector to confirm access, timing and any collection charges before you agree. An arrangement you understand is more useful than a promise of an immediate pickup that does not account for where the car is parked. The goal is to stop an open-ended wait creating more expense, deterioration and inconvenience.

If repairs are no longer your plan, our damaged car removal service can help you understand the option of having the vehicle collected.

If a damaged, unregistered, or unwanted car has been sitting out the front of your Perth property, it’s worth knowing the verge isn’t really yours to use as storage. Local councils treat verges as their land, and most have rules about what can sit there and for how long. Leaving a accident/damaged car out front while you weigh up what to do with it can end in a ranger visit, an infringement, or a tow.

The General Rule Across Perth Councils

Most metropolitan councils run their own Parking Local Law under the Local Government Act 1995, alongside the state-wide Road Traffic Code. A common thread: a vehicle cannot be parked or left on a road or verge for the purpose of selling it, and one left in the same spot for more than 24 hours becomes eligible to be assessed as abandoned. That 24-hour mark isn’t an automatic fine, but it’s usually the trigger for a ranger inspection.

What Counts as “Abandoned”?

Councils generally weigh up several factors together: whether plates are still attached, whether the vehicle is licensed, the extent of visible damage, how long it has stayed put, and whether it looks inoperable. A damaged or written-off car often ticks several of these at once, so it tends to attract attention faster than a roadworthy vehicle parked outside a house.

How a Few Perth Councils Handle It

City of Stirling

Stirling’s local laws prohibit obstructing a verge, and specifically prohibit parking a vehicle there to sell it. Past 24 hours, a ranger places a 24-hour notice on the car to give the owner time to move it to private property; if it’s still there afterwards, it’s investigated as abandoned and can be towed and impounded. Parking more than 24 hours carries an $80 infringement, and littering penalties linked to an abandoned vehicle run from a $200–$500 on-the-spot fine up to a $5,000 maximum court penalty. Unclaimed impounded vehicles valued under $500 are held 21 days; those over $500 are held up to 65 days.

City of Wanneroo

Wanneroo assesses abandonment on near-identical factors — plates, registration, damage, time in position, and whether the vehicle looks inoperable. Vehicles removed as abandoned go to an impound facility, and release requires towage and impound fees plus proof of ownership and photo ID. If unclaimed within two months, the City can dispose of the vehicle by public auction or tender.

City of Cockburn

Cockburn asks residents to report abandoned or unattended vehicles directly to Ranger Services during office hours, with the free CoSafe patrol covering after hours. As elsewhere, a damaged vehicle left on a verge for an extended period is likely to prompt an inspection and a request to move it.

Rules and fees change from time to time, so it’s worth a quick check of your council’s website, or a call to their rangers, before assuming anything.

What Happens If a Vehicle Gets Impounded

Once towed under one of these local laws, getting a car back means paying an impound fee, a daily storage charge, and providing proof of ownership and photo ID. For a vehicle that was already damaged and worth relatively little, those fees can quickly outstrip whatever it’s worth — much the same trap we cover in our piece on leaving a junk car sitting on your lawn: the longer it sits, the more it costs you and the less it’s worth. It’s often the point where people look at selling instead of retrieving it.

The Simpler Option: Sell Before It Becomes a Problem

A damaged car doesn’t get more valuable sitting on the verge. Weather exposure, rust, opportunistic parts theft, and vandalism all chip away at what a wrecker or buyer will offer over time.

What Affects the Price You’re Offered

• Make, model, and age — a common model like a Toyota tends to hold parts value longer than a rarer import
• How complete the car is versus stripped of parts
• Whether it still runs or needs towing
• The extent of accident, flood, or fire damage
• Current scrap metal and parts market pricing, which moves over time

None of this means a damaged car is worthless — wrecking yards buy vehicles precisely because there’s value in the parts and metal, even when a car will never drive again.

What to Expect When You Sell to a Car Removal Service

The process is generally straightforward. A licensed wrecking yard buys cars, utes, trucks, vans, and 4WDs across a wide range of conditions — running or not, accident, flood, or fire-damaged, deregistered, or written off — and prices each one on its own condition rather than a flat rate. Most won’t take a stolen vehicle, a car still under finance, or a body with no chassis, and coverage is usually limited to the Perth metro area.

Don’t Forget the Paperwork

Two WA-specific details catch people out. Standard number plates stay with the vehicle and pass to the new owner — if you want to keep them, they need to be removed and swapped for replacement plates through the Department of Transport before the sale, not after. And once the car’s sold, you’re required to lodge a Notification of Change of Ownership – Vehicle Licence Transfer (Form MR9) within seven days, including the buyer’s name and address; failing to do so can attract a penalty. You’ll also need valid photo ID to sell — you don’t have to be the registered owner, but you do need to identify yourself.

Free towing and same-day pickup are common once you decide to sell an unwanted vehicle rather than leave it parked out front — which avoids the whole verge-storage question altogether.

None of this needs to turn into a drawn-out process. Most people who’ve been putting it off are surprised at how quickly it’s sorted once they make the call.

Ready to Move It On?

If a damaged or unwanted vehicle has been sitting on your verge and you’d rather deal with it than wait for a ranger to decide for you, call Cash For Cars Perth on 0420 262 651 for a free quote. They’re based at 5 Hantke Place, Welshpool, open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM–5:00 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM–2:00 PM (closed Sundays and public holidays), and can often have the car towed and paid for the same day you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I leave a car on the verge before it’s treated as abandoned in Perth?

Most Perth councils treat a vehicle left in the same spot on a road or verge for more than 24 hours as eligible to be assessed as abandoned. That doesn’t mean an automatic fine the moment the clock passes 24 hours, but it’s usually enough to trigger a ranger inspection and, in some council areas, a notice giving you a set period to move it.

What fines can apply for leaving a damaged car on the verge too long?

It varies by council. In the City of Stirling, for example, parking longer than 24 hours carries an $80 infringement, and littering penalties tied to an abandoned vehicle can run from a $200–$500 on-the-spot fine up to a $5,000 maximum court penalty. Check your own council’s website for the figures that apply where you live.

What happens if my council impounds the car?

You’ll usually need to pay an impound fee plus a daily storage charge, and provide proof of ownership and photo ID to get it released. If it isn’t claimed within the council’s set period — commonly a matter of weeks up to around two months — it can be disposed of by public auction, tender, or sale.

Do I have to be the registered owner to sell a damaged or abandoned car?

No. You need valid photo ID to prove who you are, but you don’t have to be the person the vehicle is registered to. It’s worth having whatever ownership paperwork you do have on hand, since a buyer will usually ask for it.

Is it legal to leave a car on the verge while I try to sell it privately?

Generally not. Most councils’ parking local laws specifically prohibit parking or leaving a vehicle on a road or verge for the purpose of selling it, regardless of how long it’s been sitting there.

If your car has been sitting at a Perth smash repairer since an accident, you’re probably weighing up two costs at once — the price of fixing it, and the daily fee the repairer is quietly charging to keep it on their premises. For a lot of owners, the second cost is what tips the decision on whether to repair, sell, or scrap an accident-damaged vehicle in Perth.

Storage Fees Can Add Up Faster Than You’d Expect

Most smash repair yards charge a daily storage rate once a vehicle has been assessed and a decision is pending — whether that’s waiting on an insurance assessor, a parts quote, or simply your own decision on whether repairs are worth it. The very first stage is actually regulated: under WA’s towing industry reforms, a crash-tow operator holding a light vehicle towed from an accident scene in Perth or Peel can charge no more than $27 a day (including GST) in storage, plus a one-off release fee. Once the car has moved on to the repairer’s own yard for assessment or repair, storage is a private arrangement between you and the repairer and isn’t capped the same way, so it pays to ask early what they’re charging and from what date.

Either way, leave a decision for a few weeks while you shop around for quotes or wait on insurance paperwork, and the storage bill can eat into — or exceed — whatever the car is actually worth. That’s the main reason owners end up selling a car for parts or scrap sooner than they planned rather than holding out for a slightly better offer. It’s not that the car isn’t worth fixing; it’s that every extra day of indecision has a real dollar cost attached, and that cost keeps running whether or not you’ve made up your mind yet, which is worth factoring into how long you let a decision drag on before you commit either way.

Write-Off or Not, You Still Have Options

If your insurer declares it a total loss

If the insurer declares your car a total loss, they’ll usually offer you a settlement based on the car’s pre-accident value, and in most cases they take ownership of the wreck. But if you’re under-insured, uninsured, or the damage happened off a claim entirely, the car — and the decision about what to do with it — stays with you.

If you’re covering the repair yourself

Sometimes the repair quote comes back higher than the car is worth on the road. In that situation, most Perth owners either sell the vehicle as-is to a wrecker or parts buyer, or accept the loss and keep paying for repairs on a car that may never be worth what went into it. There’s no obligation to fix a car just because it’s driveable in theory — plenty of accident-damaged vehicles are sold exactly as they sit, panel damage and all.

What Affects the Price You’ll Be Offered

Every accident car is different, but a few factors consistently move the number up or down:

• Extent of the damage — whether it’s cosmetic panel damage or structural/chassis damage affects both resale and parts value.
• Make and model — vehicles with strong demand for used parts, such as a common Japanese make like Mazda or a popular Australian-market model, tend to attract better offers than rare or unpopular ones.
• Completeness — a car with the engine, transmission, and major components intact is worth more than one that’s already been picked over.
• Age and mechanical condition before the accident — a well-maintained car with damage is often worth more than an older, run-down car with the same damage.
• Whether it’s registered or deregistered — this affects paperwork but generally not whether it can be sold.

Running or not, accident-damaged, flood or fire affected, deregistered, or already declared a write-off — all of these are still sellable in most cases. What generally can’t be bought are stolen vehicles, cars still under finance, and bodies without a chassis.

What Perth Sellers Need to Know Before Signing Anything

Number plates usually go with the car

Standard WA number plates stay attached to the vehicle and normally pass to the new owner as part of the sale — they aren’t automatically yours to keep. If you want to hang on to your plates, remove them and arrange replacements from the Department of Transport before the car is collected; only personalised or optional plates can be retained by exchanging them at a DoT centre first.

You need to lodge a change-of-ownership notification

After selling any vehicle in WA, you’re required to lodge a Notification of Change of Ownership – Vehicle Licence Transfer (MR9) with the Department of Transport within 7 days, including the buyer’s name and address. Failure to do so will result in a penalty being applied.

Bring valid photo ID

Whoever is selling the car needs valid photo ID on the day. It doesn’t have to be the person the vehicle is registered to, but ID is required to complete the sale.

Getting the Car Out From Under Storage Fees

Once you’ve decided to sell, the main thing that matters is how quickly the car can actually be collected — every extra day it sits at the repairer is another day on the storage invoice. Whether you end up going with a private sale or a wrecker, or letting the insurer handle it, the same principle applies: the faster it’s gone, the less it costs you in the meantime.

Most car-removal services cover the Perth metro area but few extend south to Bunbury and beyond, so it’s worth checking that before you commit to a buyer if you’re near the edge of the service area.

Ready to Move It On?

If your accident-damaged car is racking up storage fees at a Perth smash repairer, it’s worth getting a quote before those costs eat further into what it’s worth. Cash For Cars Perth is based at 5 Hantke Place, Welshpool, and offers free same-day collection across the Perth metro area. Call 0420 262 651 Monday to Friday 7:30am–5pm or Saturday 7:30am–2pm for a free, no-obligation quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to store a car at a Perth smash repairer?

It depends on the stage. The initial crash-tow storage is capped by WA law at $27 a day (including GST) for a light vehicle in Perth and Peel. Once the car is at the repairer’s own yard for assessment or repair, storage is a private arrangement and rates vary, so ask the repairer directly what they charge and from when.

Do I have to repair an accident-damaged car before I can sell it?

No. Cars are commonly sold exactly as they sit — running or not, with cosmetic or structural damage, deregistered or already written off. What generally can’t be sold are stolen vehicles, cars still under finance, and bodies without a chassis.

What happens to my number plates when I sell a car in WA?

Standard plates stay with the vehicle and pass to the new owner. If you want to keep them, remove them and arrange replacement plates from the Department of Transport before the car is collected.

Do I still need to notify the Department of Transport if the car is a total loss?

Yes. Any change of ownership in WA — including a sale to an insurer or a wrecker — needs a Notification of Change of Ownership (MR9) lodged within 7 days, with the buyer’s name and address, or a penalty can apply.

Can I sell a car that’s already been declared a write-off?

Yes. Statutory and repairable write-offs are both routinely bought for parts or scrap by Perth wreckers — the write-off status affects what it’s worth, not whether it can be sold.

A written-off car isn’t worthless — it’s just no longer worth repairing to a roadworthy standard. That applies whether the damage came from a major accident or years of wear and tear, and it’s the same broad category we deal with through our damaged car removal service in Perth. For many Perth owners, that distinction gets lost, and a car that could still put a few hundred or a few thousand dollars in their pocket ends up sitting in the driveway for months instead. If you’re trying to work out what your write-off is actually worth, it helps to understand how that value is calculated in the first place.

What “Written Off” Actually Means in WA

Insurers in Western Australia generally classify a written-off vehicle in one of two ways:

• Repairable write-off — damaged enough that repair costs exceed a set threshold of the car’s value, but it could technically be fixed and re-registered (subject to inspection).
• Statutory write-off — damaged so severely, or structurally, that it can never be legally repaired or re-registered again. These vehicles are destined for dismantling.

Either way, once a car is written off, its market value shifts away from “what a driver would pay for it” and toward “what a wrecker would pay for its parts and materials.” That’s a different calculation, and it’s the one that actually matters if you’re selling.

What Actually Affects a Written-Off Car’s Value

Make, model and age

Popular Japanese and Korean models (Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Nissan) tend to hold parts value well in Perth because there’s steady local demand for used engines, gearboxes and panels. Rarer or less common makes can be harder to move, even if individual parts are in good condition.

Which parts are still usable

This is usually the biggest factor. A car that’s been in a front-end collision might still have a perfectly good engine, transmission, rear panels, doors and interior — all of which have resale value to a wrecker. A car with fire, flood or major structural damage typically has far less to salvage, since heat and water damage engine components and electronics that would otherwise be reusable.

Damage type and location

Where the damage sits on the car matters more than how bad it looks. Cosmetic panel damage barely dents the value. Damage to the chassis, engine bay, or firewall affects far more components and brings the value down more significantly, since it can compromise parts that would otherwise be sold on.

Metal weight and scrap value

Once the reusable parts are stripped, what’s left goes toward scrap metal recycling. This portion of the value moves with the current scrap metal market, so it can shift over time, but it’s generally a smaller part of the total offer than the parts themselves for most passenger vehicles.

Getting an Accurate Valuation Without the Guesswork

The most reliable way to find out what your written-off car is worth is to have it assessed directly, rather than relying on generic online calculators that don’t account for damage type or WA-specific demand. A proper quote should factor in the make, model, age, kilometres, extent of damage, and which major components (engine, transmission, panels, wheels) are still intact. It also helps to know upfront who’s actually likely to buy a car with accident history, since a private buyer and a wrecker are weighing completely different things.

At Cash For Cars Perth, quotes are given over the phone based on those details, with no obligation to accept. If the vehicle is roughly as described on arrival, the offer holds — there’s no last-minute renegotiation once the tow truck is on site.

What to Expect When You Sell a Write-Off in Perth

Selling a written-off or wrecked car in WA comes with a few practical steps that are easy to overlook:

• Number plates stay with you. In WA, plates are attached to the owner, not the vehicle, so they need to be removed before the car is picked up.
• You’ll need to lodge a Notification of Disposal with the WA Department of Transport after the sale, to formally take the vehicle off your name.
• Bring valid photo ID to the handover. It doesn’t need to be in the name of the registered owner, but ID is required for every sale.
• Payment happens on the spot — either cash or an instant OSKO bank transfer, completed before the car leaves your property.

Cash For Cars Perth operates across the Perth metro area (it doesn’t extend down to Bunbury or further south) and offers free same-day towing, often within two to three hours if you call before midday. That includes running cars, non-runners, accident-damaged vehicles, and wrecked or statutory write-off vehicles alike. The only vehicles that can’t be purchased are stolen cars, vehicles still under finance, and bodies without a chassis.

Why Selling for Parts Beats Letting It Sit

A written-off car doesn’t get more valuable by sitting in a driveway or on a verge — if anything, exposure to weather and pests can reduce what’s salvageable over time. Engine bays corrode, seals perish, and rodents get into wiring and upholstery, all of which chips away at what a wrecker can actually resell. Getting it assessed and removed while the parts are still in reasonable condition is generally the better outcome, both financially and for freeing up the space it’s taking.

Get a Straight Answer on What Your Car Is Worth

If you’ve got a written-off car sitting around and want to know what it’s actually worth for parts, call Cash For Cars Perth on 0420 262 651 for a no-obligation quote. The team is based at 5 Hantke Place, Welshpool, and is open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM — with free same-day towing available across the Perth metro area.

FAQs: Selling a Written-Off Car for Parts in Perth

Can I still sell a statutory write-off?

Yes. A statutory write-off can never be re-registered, but it can absolutely be sold for its parts and scrap value — that’s the standard route for these vehicles, and it’s exactly what a wrecker is set up to pay for.

Do I need a roadworthy certificate to sell a written-off car?

No. Because you’re selling for parts rather than for someone to drive away, a roadworthy certificate isn’t required. That requirement only applies when a repairable write-off is being re-registered for the road.

Does the offer change once the tow truck arrives?

It shouldn’t, provided the car matches what was described over the phone. Cash For Cars Perth confirms the price before booking a pickup and honours it on arrival, rather than renegotiating on the day.

Do you buy written-off cars outside central Perth, like in Henderson?

Yes. Free same-day towing is available right across the Perth metro area, including industrial and outer suburbs such as Henderson — the same-day window still applies as long as you call before midday.