Many of our vehicle purchase decisions are based on minimal actual information about the state of the vehicle, whether it has been in an accident before, how severe that accident was and where it was repaired!
The source of all vehicles ‘written-off’ is your and my Insurer and their salvage partners. Neither have shown any real interest, after protracted appeals for them to do so, in protecting you in your purchase of a secondhand vehicle and the reason is quite simply that it is not in their interest to disclose the information that will allow you to properly inform and protect yourself! Its all about the MONEY!
Almost ALL vehicles written off and then sold to salvage yards who in turn sell these wrecks to anyone willing to pay the highest price remain Code 2 – when in fact a very large proportion of them should be recoded to Code 3, 4 and as scrap.
In most other countries consumers are protected by their ability to access the records/history of any vehicle they wish to purchase. This does not happen in South Africa, and it is imperative that it becomes a reality soon!
In the interim, if you buy a secondhand car, ensure you protect your interests by including conditions that allow you to take the vehicle for a thorough inspection by your trusted HALO member Motor Body Repairer – it may cost you but it is money well spent.
The photos included are of vehicles that have remained Code 2 classified, and they include vehicles sold without airbags!