Car check
Encyclopedia

United Kingdom

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is the organisation of the UK Government responsible for maintaining a database of drivers and a database of vehicles in Great Britain; its counterpart in Northern Ireland is the Driver & Vehicle Agency...

 (UK), better known as the DVLA, are an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...

 (DfT). The Agency is accountable to the Secretary of State and Ministers and, through them, to Parliament and the public, for efficient and effective management of the Agency and its responsibilities. Their primary aims are to facilitate road safety and general law enforcement
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...

 by maintaining registers of drivers and vehicles, and to collect vehicle excise duty
Vehicle excise duty
Vehicle Excise Duty is a vehicle road use tax levied as an excise duty which must be paid for most types of vehicle which are to be used on the public roads in the United Kingdom...

 (car tax).

Vehicle identity check

The Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) was introduced to help reduce vehicle crime. It is intended to deter criminals from disguising stolen cars with the identity of written off or scrapped vehicles.

When an insurance company writes off a car, the registration document (V5 logbook
Logbook
A logbook was originally a book for recording readings from the chip log, and is used to determine the distance a ship traveled within a certain amount of time...

) is surrendered to them and destroyed. The insurance company will then notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that the vehicle has been written off. This notification will set a 'VIC marker' on the vehicle record on the DVLA database. If the vehicle is then repaired with the intention of returning it to the road, the DVLA will not issue a new registration document or vehicle excise duty licence until the car passes a vehicle identity check (VIC). The VIC is designed to help confirm that the vehicle being returned to the road has been repaired following any accident damage and has not been stolen.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency is a non-departmental public body granted Trading Fund status in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom Government.-History:...

 (VOSA) will carry out the VIC. This will involve comparing the vehicle presented to VOSA against the information held by DVLA, such as the Vehicle Identification Number
Vehicle identification number
A Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles. VINs were first used in 1954...

 VIN, make, model, colour and engine number. The VIC compares the record of previous accident damage with evidence of damage repair as well as checking other components to confirm the age and identity of the vehicle.

The fact that a VIC Check has been performed is recommended to be checked by any individual looking to privately purcahse a used car. This is typically completed using services such as those provided by Experian
Experian
Experian plc, formerly known as CCN Systems, is a global credit information group with operations in 36 countries. The company employs 15,500 people with corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and operational headquarters in Nottingham, England and Costa Mesa, California, US...

 Group or a more affordable solution such as iCarCheck
ICarCheck
-History:iCarCheck was created as a collaboration between CarweB Ltd and Data Delivery Services Ltd to provide cross-platform access to Vehicle History Data provided by the DVLA, Police and the Insurers databases. It was first released to the public on April 18, 2011.-Mobile Applications:The first...

https://www.icarcheck.net. In the case that a VIC Check cannot be confirmed the purchaser would need to contact VOSA in order to manually confirm this.

Vehicle check

The DVLA provides information on the registration of vehicles to certain vehicle check companies http://www.carcheckonline.co.uk for consumer protection
Consumer protection
Consumer protection laws designed to ensure fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional...

 and anti-fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...

 purposes. Please be assured that no individual name or address details are provided. The information may be added to by companies with details from the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...

, finance and insurance companies.

MIAFTR Data

MIAFTR data is provided by the UK insurance industry and states whether the vehicle has been “written off” by an insurer. Insurers make an economic decision n whether to write off a vehicle in the case of a claim depending upon the current value of the vehicle against the cost of repairs in the claim. Should the cost be deemed too large to make repairing the vehicle uneconomical, a category will be assigned to the vehicle indicating the level of damage that the vehicle suffered in the incident which triggered the claim.

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style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Total Loss Category Descriptions style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>



 



style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>A



style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>B



style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>C



style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>D



What
does this category mean?


 



The
vehicle has not been repaired following extreme damage.


It
was deemed too damaged to be repairable with little or no salvageable parts.



The vehicle has not been
repaired following significant damage.


style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It was deemed too damaged to be repairable
however did have salvageable parts.



This vehicle was repairable, but the repair costs
exceeded the vehicle value. The insurer chose not to repair for economic
reasons.



This vehicle was repairable, but the repair costs
were significant compared to the vehicle value. The insurer chose not to
repair for economic reasons.



Why may
the insurer not have repaired the vehicle?


 



The inspecting engineer considered the vehicle
extensively damaged and therefore un-repairable. It has little or no
salvageable parts.



The inspecting engineer considered the vehicle
too damaged to be repaired, however there is value
in its spare parts.



The inspecting engineer
considered the vehicle repairable, however the costs
exceeded the Pre Accident Value of the vehicle. style='mso-spacerun:yes'>


This marker is not an
indication that a vehicle is un-roadworthy, but that the insurance company
involved in the claim has made the decision not to repair it purely for
economic reasons.



The inspecting engineer considered the vehicle
repairable, however the costs were fairly significant (i.e. greater than 50%
of the Pre Accident Value).


This marker is not an indication that a vehicle
is un-roadworthy, but that the insurance company involved in the claim has
made the decision not to repair it purely for economic reasons



style='mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>What scale of damage may the vehicle
have had?



This vehicle would have had extreme
damage e.g. burnt out, completely destroyed, extreme chassis or class=SpellE>bodyshell
/frame damage or totally submerged in water. The
insurer considered this vehicle to have NIL value. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



This vehicle would have had
significant damage e.g. extensively damaged, bent chassis or class=SpellE>bodyshell
/frame or half submerged in water. The insurer
considered this vehicle to have some value as salvageable parts (e.g. greater
than £50).


 



The damage level varies
greatly for a Cat C vehicle. The damage may be quite extensive (but not
structural) on a fairly new car, however in contrast the damage may be very
light on an old car. This vehicle may have been submerged in water up to the
floor level.


This category is purely an
economically constructed total loss. It simply states that the insurer chose
to not repair the vehicle for economic reasons.



The damage level varies
greatly for a Cat D vehicle. The damage may be quite significant on a fairly
new car, however in contrast the damage may be very
light on an old car. This category is purely an economically constructed
total loss. It simply states that the insurer chose to not repair the vehicle
for economic reasons.



style='mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>What should I do before buying a car?



You should satisfy yourself that
a vehicle you are purchasing is in roadworthy legal condition.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


You may choose to use a
professional engineer to provide an inspection if you wish.



You should satisfy yourself
that a vehicle you are purchasing is in roadworthy legal condition.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


You may choose to use a
professional engineer to provide an inspection if you wish.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



You should satisfy yourself
that a vehicle you are purchasing is in roadworthy legal condition.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


You may choose to use a professional
engineer to provide an inspection if you wish.


 



You should satisfy yourself
that a vehicle you are purchasing is in roadworthy legal condition.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


You may choose to use a
professional engineer to provide an inspection if you wish.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



What would
the insurer do?


 



The insurer categorised this
vehicle an A.


The Insurer would make best
endeavours to put this vehicle through salvage process with the aim of not
allowing


the style='mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'> car back on the road. Note that the insurer
is not bound by law to do this. The owner may have retained the vehicle. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



The insurer categorised this vehicle a B. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


The Insurer would make best endeavours to put
this vehicle through salvage process with the aim of not allowing
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


style='mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>the
style='mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'> car back on the road. Note that the
insurer is not bound by law to do this. The owner may have retained the
vehicle.


 



The insurer categorised this vehicle a C. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


The Insurer would make best endeavours to put
this vehicle through the salvage process. They would have the view that this
vehicle can return to the road following repair.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


 



The insurer categorised this vehicle a D. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


The Insurer would make best endeavours to put
this vehicle through the salvage process. They would have the view that this vehicle
can return to the road following repair.


 



What
would be the salvage process if applicable?


 



If the vehicle is put
through a licensed or authorised salvage operator all parts should be
destroyed with the intent


not style='mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'> to return the car to the road. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



If the vehicle is put
through a licensed or authorised salvage operator all parts may be sold,
however the damaged chassis


or style='mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'> bodyframe
should be destroyed. The intent is to not return the car back to the road. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



The vehicle may be put
through a licensed or authorised salvage operator either for re-sale or for
breaking for parts.


 



The vehicle may be put
through a licensed or authorised salvage operator either for re-sale or for
breaking for parts.


 



What if the
vehicle has been retained by the owner or returned to the road?
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


 



If the vehicle is retained
by the keeper it can be returned to the road following repair. It is
recommended to have an independent inspection of the repairs.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



If the vehicle is retained
by the keeper it can be returned to the road following repair. It is
recommended to have an independent inspection of the repairs.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



If the vehicle is retained
by the keeper it can be returned to the road following repair. It is
recommended to have an independent inspection of the repairs. Note that on
older cars the damage may be fairly light and not impact its roadworthiness.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



If the vehicle is retained
by the keeper it can be returned to the road following repair. It is
recommended to have an independent inspection of the repairs. Note that on
older cars the damage may be fairly light and not impact its roadworthiness.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


 



What
does the DVLA/VOSA get informed of?


 



DVLA have
received notification of categorisation under the Road Vehicles (Registration
and Licensing) Regulations 2002.


 



DVLA have
received notification of categorisation under the Road Vehicles (Registration
and Licensing) Regulations 2002


 



DVLA have received
notification of categorisation under the Road Vehicles (Registration and
Licensing) Regulations 2002


 



No notifications
are made to the DVLA/VOSA.


 



Is the
vehicle subject to a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC)?
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


 



The vehicle is subject to a VIC should a new V5C be
re-issued (i.e. change of owner or a change of registered keeper address).
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


Check the VIC status at style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
http://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/ class=SpellE>EvlPortalApp
/


 



The vehicle is subject to a VIC should a new V5C
be re-issued (i.e. change of owner or a change of registered keeper address).
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


Check the VIC status at style='mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
color:blue;mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>
http://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/ class=SpellE>EvlPortalApp/


 



The vehicle is subject to a VIC should a new V5C
be re-issued (i.e. change of owner or a change of registered keeper address).
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


Check the VIC status at style='mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
color:blue;mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>
http://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/ class=SpellE>EvlPortalApp/


 



This vehicle is not subject to a VIC. style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-AU'>


 



What is
a VIC?


 



The Vehicle
Identity Check (VIC) scheme has been introduced as a deterrent to ringing.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


Insurers must
notify Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of all cars "written
off" within salvage categories A, B or C. This notification will set a
"VIC marker" against the DVLA vehicle record.
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-language:
EN-AU'>


Whilst a VIC
marker remains set, DVLA will not issue a registration certificate V5C, or
vehicle licence reminder V11. The VIC marker will only be removed, when the
car passes a VIC.


The class=GramE>VIC, is carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services
Agency (VOSA).


For further
information about VIC contact:


Vehicle
Inspectorate Enquiries: 0870 6060 440


Vehicle
Inspectorate website: www.via.gov.uk


DVLA Customer
Enquiries: 0870 607 6688


DVLA website:
www.dvla.gov.uk


The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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