23/06/2017

The difficulty of repairing increasingly complex modern vehicles safely after they have been damaged is a key factor reflected in the new version of the voluntary code of practice for dealing with motor salvage, which has been extensively reviewed and updated for the first time in 10 years to help keep dangerous vehicles off the road.

‘Code of Practice for the categorisation of Motor Vehicle Salvage: June 2017’, which will come into force on 1 October, was developed after a 2 year review coordinated by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and involving insurers, vehicle manufacturers, government departments and agencies, police and the vehicle leasing and salvage industries.

Compared with the existing code, it has a greater focus on the condition of the vehicle, rather than repair costs and other major changes include

• the replacement of current salvage categories with

A: scrap

B: break

S: structurally damaged repairable

N: non-structurally damaged repairable

• the addition of some guidance on motorcycles and quadricyles
• the introduction of minimum qualification requirements for individuals who categorise vehicle salvage

While welcoming the new code, a spokesperson for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders added the rider that “… putting a complete stop to the unscrupulous activity of repairing vehicles that should be scrapped will require legislation.”