Under the Motor Vehicles Regulations 2025 (SA), a vehicle is a written-off vehicle if it is [reg 94(2)]:

Total loss is defined as a vehicle damaged by accident, collision, demolition, dismantling, fire, flood, trespass or other event, to the extent that its fair salvage value, when added to the cost of repairing it for use on a road, would be more than its fair market value immediately before the event that caused the damage [reg 94(1)].

There are two categories of vehicles for the purposes of write-offs [reg 94(1)]. Category 2 motor vehicles are any with a GVM not exceeding 4.5 tonnes (that is not category 1 vehicle including a bus or truck with a GVM greater than 3.5 tonnes) or a trailer.

A vehicle may be declared to be a statutory write-off if it has severe structural damage that prevents it from being driven safely. It must meet specific assessment criteria within technical guides. Only an authorised insurer or agent has the authority to declare a vehicle a statutory write-off. A statutory write-off cannot be repaired.

Written-off vehicles that fall within the definition of "notifiable vehicles" must be notified to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and notices must be affixed to these vehicles [reg 97]. A notifiable vehicle includes a category 1 vehicle that is written-off, or a category 2 vehicle that:

A vehicle that has sustained substantial damage but does not meet the definition of a statutory write-off may be declared a repairable write-off. These will be category 1 vehicles that have been substantially stripped (within the meaning of the technical guide) and returned to the insured person as part of settlement of an insurance claim that resulted in the vehicle being determined a total loss, or a vehicle that is written-off but is not a statutory write-off. For example, it has the potential to be repaired, although significant rebuilding will be required. The owner of the vehicle, an insurer or an authorised motor trade agent can declare a vehicle a repairable write-off after an accident.

A notified written-off vehicle must not be driven other than for the purpose of being driven to or from a place of repair or inspection [reg 98]. However, this does not apply to a vehicle that is a notified written-off vehicle only because the vehicle has sustained hail damage of a cosmetic nature [reg 98(2)]. The maximum penalty in the case of an offence committed in the course of a trade or business is $2,500, or in any other case $1,250.

Written off vehicles are notified to a national database, which can be searched on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).