Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) Marker

Peter_87

Currently looking to purchase a new (used) car - found a car online that I thought was suitable which I am planning to test drive next tomorrow.

Thought I would do a few checks before hand so carried out a Vehicle Enquiry on the DVLA/Direct Gov site.

The vehicle details match however it states:

A Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) marker has been set against this vehicle record.

Does this mean that the vehicle was written off by an insurance company? Should this have been mentioned in the advert (like Cat C & D)?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Quiet_Spark

Peter_87 wrote: »

Does this mean that the vehicle was written off by an insurance company?

Not necessarily, it simply means that DVLA will not release a registration document until they confirm the identity of the vehicle.

I had to take our current car (Ford Galaxy) for a VIC after buying it without a registration document. Ordinarily that would be a big gamble (considering the money involved), but I was assured through a friend that the vendor was playing a straight game (which he was) and I ended up saving £800 (give or take) by buying that way.

I would suggest you find out why it has a VIC marker, and then make a decision from there as to whether you want to buy it or not.

Peter_87

Will the DVLA advise over the phone why the VIC Marker was applied?

mrmot

A HPI check would tell you if it has been declared a write off.

Tigerprint

Tread very carefully...

If a car is written off by an insurance company, they will usually tell DVLA so that a ‘VIC marker’ (Vehicle Identity Check marker) can be put on the vehicle record.

If you own or buy the car, having a VIC marker means you can’t get a replacement registration certificate and you won’t be sent the V11 vehicle licence reminder you use to renew your tax disc.

To remove the VIC marker the car needs to pass a VIC test.

The VIC test compares the details DVLA has about the car against the car itself. It takes place at a VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) test centre.

I don't believe CAT D has a VIC marker, so it will be quite substantial damage if it has one.

Rolandtheroadie

Tigerprint wrote: »

Tread very carefully...



I don't believe CAT D has a VIC marker, so it will be quite substantial damage if it has one.

Not at all, it's just what the insurer has classed it as.

I've read of people appealing against the write off classification of a vehicle.

I had a motorbike that was supposedly a cat c, it was written off due to scratches on panels down one side (nose, side, seat and rear cowel), end can scratched and the seat cover burst.

Tigerprint

scotsman4th wrote: »

Not at all, it's just what the insurer has classed it as.

I've read of people appealing against the write off classification of a vehicle.

I had a motorbike that was supposedly a cat c, it was written off due to scratches on panels down one side (nose, side, seat and rear cowel), end can scratched and the seat cover burst.

All very well if you have seen the damage, then you can make your own decision on buying it back. Of course, age plays a big part, it is very easy to write off an older vehicle.

However, you only need to look at the Copart site to see some of the damages, be they CAT C or D.

Peter_87

Spoke with VOSHA this morning to check if the had more up to date info other than the online database which was last updated on the 19/12/2014. They advised that they use the same database so are unable to provide any more details.

Contacted the Dealer and asked if they knew about the VIC marker. They advised they got car as part exchange and have no details relating to the VIC marker. All they know is car runs fine (in there opinion I have not viewed or driven) and it has a few scratches and dents to the rear of vehicle.

Think I will keep clear of this car - to much unknown.

AdrianC

Tigerprint wrote: »

I don't believe CAT D has a VIC marker, so it will be quite substantial damage if it has one.

You're right about Cat D not needing a VIC, but not necessarily about the amount of damage. Cat C is damage that would cost more than the value of the vehicle to repair. Cat D is damage that would cost less than the value, but the insurer has written off anyway - usually to reduce the other costs of the claim, such as hire cars. It doesn't need very much damage _at all_ to write an older vehicle off and flag it as Cat C, even damage that is purely bolt-on. Painting panels is not cheap.

colino

Your right to steer clear, a trader by law has to positively tell you (not wait to be asked) of a major thing such as it being on the register. He sounds like a driveway dealer if he is pretending a) not to have checked on HPI this "trade-in" and b) he didn't volunteer the info.

Hoof_Hearted

Well done for checking thoroughly. There are plenty of cars about.