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If your insurer has declared your vehicle a total loss and left you with the wreck — or you've elected to retain salvage rights on an accident, flood, or fire claim — Caraway buys it directly for cash. We purchase both statutory and repairable write-offs across Greater Brisbane, handle all the paperwork with TMR, and come to you with free towing. Same-day pickup is available seven days a week.
When an insurer writes off a car in Queensland, the vehicle is flagged on the Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) and classified into one of two categories. A statutory write-off is a vehicle TMR has determined can never be re-registered for road use — the damage is so severe that the car cannot be repaired to roadworthy standard. Typical causes include major structural collapse, full fire damage, or flood immersion above the dashboard. Statutory write-offs can only be sold for parts or scrap. A repairable write-off, on the other hand, has been deemed economically not worth repairing by the insurer, but can still be rebuilt, inspected, and re-registered if someone is prepared to do the work. Caraway buys both. Repairable write-offs often fetch significantly higher prices because the vehicle still has value as a rebuild project or as a mechanical donor for other cars of the same make and model. Statutory write-offs are valued on salvageable parts and scrap metal weight. If you're not sure which category applies to your vehicle, call us with the claim number or the VIN — we can usually tell you within a few minutes.
The process is the same as any other cash-for-cars sale, with a few small extras to keep the WOVR paperwork clean. Step one: call or fill out our online quote form with the make, model, year, damage description, and — if you know it — the WOVR classification. We'll give you a firm cash offer on the phone, usually within a few minutes. Step two: accept the quote and book a pickup time that suits you. Step three: our driver arrives at your property with a flatbed tow truck, inspects the vehicle, pays you in cash (or bank transfer for amounts over $10,000), and loads the car. We lodge the disposal notice with TMR on your behalf within the 14-day statutory window, which removes the vehicle from your name and ends your liability for any future tolls, fines, or administrative notices attached to the plate. You do not need a panel beater's quote, a police report, or an engineer's assessment to sell to us — the insurer's write-off decision is enough.
The paperwork is minimal. Bring a current Queensland driver's licence or other government-issued photo ID. If you still have the registration certificate, that helps, but it's not essential — we can look the vehicle up by VIN if the papers are long gone. If the insurance claim has already been finalised and you've received a settlement letter or a notice from the insurer confirming you've retained salvage rights, hand that to the driver as well; it makes the WOVR paperwork faster to process. You do not need the written-off vehicle notice from TMR, and you do not need to have the car inspected before pickup. For vehicles with outstanding finance, let us know when you request the quote so we can discuss payout options — in many cases we can work directly with your lender to settle the loan as part of the sale. For deceased estate vehicles we'll ask for a copy of the death certificate and probate or letters of administration, but nothing more elaborate than that.
Common questions about this service.
Tell us about the car. We'll call or text back with a price range and next steps — usually within one business day. No obligation.
We usually reply within a few hours during business hours.
Not happy with the offer? No worries — there's zero pressure to accept.