[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/dealers-unknowingly-selling-insurance-write-offs\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/dealers-unknowingly-selling-insurance-write-offs\/","headline":"Dealers Unknowingly Selling Insurance Write-Offs","name":"Dealers Unknowingly Selling Insurance Write-Offs","description":"Don\u2019t be caught out by buying one of these hidden write-offs Car dealers and consumers alike are buying and selling written-off cars without even knowing it. The BBC\u2019s \u2018Rip Off Britain\u2019 has highlighted how many major car dealerships around the UK are selling unmarked write-offs and most online car checks won\u2019t be able to pick up on this. This is due to a loophole in the system that results in a complete lack of communication between insurance companies and the […]","datePublished":"2019-05-10","dateModified":"2019-05-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Dealers-Unknowingly-Selling-Insurance-Write-Offs-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Dealers-Unknowingly-Selling-Insurance-Write-Offs-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/dealers-unknowingly-selling-insurance-write-offs\/","about":["BLOG","Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":645,"keywords":["Car write off","Car write offs being sold","insurance","Selling insurance write-offs"],"articleBody":"Don\u2019t be caught out by buying one of these hidden write-offsCar dealers and consumers alike are buying andselling written-off cars without even knowing it. The BBC\u2019s \u2018Rip Off Britain\u2019has highlighted how many major car dealerships around the UK are sellingunmarked write-offs and most online car checks won\u2019t be able to pick up onthis. This is due to a loophole in the system that results in a complete lackof communication between insurance companies and the official Motor InsuranceAnti Fraud & Theft Register (MIAFTR). But it\u2019s not the dealers\u2019 faultJust like consumers, the car dealers themselves are left in the dark. Although it is law that insurers must report to the DVLA immediately if they have written off a vehicle, it is not law that they have to tell the Motor Insurance Anti Fraud & Theft Register. Because of this, car dealerships are told that written-off cars have never been written off, simply because the information has never been passed on from the insurance company that wrote the cars off!Shane Teskey, Co-founder of vehicle historychecking company, MotorCheck, explains: \u201cA small number of insurers are notexpediently updating MIAFTR, which means that vehicle history checks conductedby dealers are not necessarily highlighting vehicles as insurance write-offs,leaving them to unknowingly sell these onto their customers. It\u2019s not illegalto repair and sell-on written off vehicles, but a vehicle that has been throughthis process will be worth less than a same age make and model that isall-clear.\u201d\u201cDealers are as much victims of this loopholein information as the public, although it\u2019s unlikely their customers will seeit that way if they\u2019ve been sold a write-off. That\u2019s why it\u2019s imperative thatdealers check their historical and current stock against the list of non-listedMIAFTR insurance write-offs as quickly as possible. This way, they can beproactive in rectifying any sales they may discover.\u201dAs many as 80,000 written-off vehicles a year are slipping under the radarThis shocking statistic was revealed fromfreedom of information request, which tells us that up to 80,000 written-offcars are not being added to the MIAFTR database. So what can be done aboutthis?As a car buyer, the simple and most relevantadvice is to be as diligent as possible when buying. That means checking thecar from all angles. Look underneath, look in the engine bay and one of thegreatest tell-tale signs is inconsistent panel gaps. As you know, some carswill have inconsistent panel gaps from-factory but youshould always be wary of them when buying a used car. Panels that have beenrepaired or replaced aren\u2019t always able to go back on the car perfectly and maysit one or two millimetres out of place. If you do spot anything suspicious and you want to be absolutely sure, ask for previous insurance details and enquire with the insurers or if you want to investigate further, ask the DVLA for details on the car. MotorCheck is currently campaigning to the government in an attempt to urge them to change legislation and make it a legal requirement for insurance companies to report write-offs to the MIAFTR. Their message also goes to the insurance companies that don\u2019t currently report write-offs to MIAFTR. They also stress the importance of doing pre-purchase checks to car dealerships and individual buyers alike. It really is surprising to hear thatcommunication issues like this exist in the motoring industry, especially whenregarding something as important as a car being a write-off. Although theserepaired vehicles may look acceptable on the outside, there could be internaldamage affecting the engine, chassis, exhaust and so on, any of which couldmake the car still road unworthy, despite repairs. For all thingsmotoring-related, subscribe to our mailing list! "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Dealers Unknowingly Selling Insurance Write-Offs","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/dealers-unknowingly-selling-insurance-write-offs\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]