A guide to Vehicle Inspection Checks (VICs)

VICs were introduced to try to help reduce vehicle crime. They are intended to deter criminals from disguising stolen cars with the identity of written-off or scrapped ones.

When an insurance company writes-off a car, the registration document (V5 logbook) is surrendered to them and destroyed. The insurance company will then notify DVLA that the vehicle has been written-off. If a vehicle is subsequently repaired with the intention of returning the vehicle to the road, DVLA will no longer issue a new registration document or vehicle excise duty license until the car passes a VIC. The VIC is designed to help confirm that the vehicle being returned to the road has been repaired following accident damage and has not been stolen.

Potentially any category 'C' (note: NOT 'D') vehicle notified to DVLA as having been written-off will require a VIC before a replacement registration document can be issued. This notification will set a 'VIC marker' on the vehicle record on the DVLA database. Vehicles cannot be volunteered for a VIC; VOSA will only accept applications for vehicles that have a VIC marker.

In reality, we understand that only around one in three category 'C' vehicles requires a VIC check.

You can check if a vehicle will require a VIC by contacting the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on 0300 123 9000

Official Guidance

The Government's latest VIC guidance can be viewed by clicking here