It could soon be harder for written-off vehicles to be returned to Queensland roads under new rules proposed by the state government to clamp down on poor repair works. 

Since 2015, more than 417,000 vehicles have been written off in Queensland, with about two-thirds of those deemed repairable — which means they can be re-registered once they have been fixed.

The government is now planning a shake-up of the write-off scheme, by mandating a "quality of repair" (QOR) inspection for written-off vehicles before they can be re-registered.

Queensland is the only Australian state without a QOR process, sparking concerns from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) that substandard repairs are going undetected.

A TMR spokesperson suggested that mandating a QOR would boost consumer protection, but also acknowledged the process would be more costly because it would require more thorough inspections.

"The lack of a QOR process in Queensland means that the safety of these vehicles cannot be assured."

The QOR process has been put forward as a "preferred" option for reform in a new consultation paper released by TMR.

Repairable write-offs in Queensland already need a written-off vehicle inspection before they are put back on the road with about one in four failing their first inspection.

'QOR process will mean fewer repairable write-offs'

TMR has indicated the addition of a QOR to the inspection process would impose "more rigorous" obligations on written-off vehicle repairers and inspectors.

Among the approaches floated by TMR include mandating that repairers keep a repair diary with photographic evidence, or subjecting the vehicle to multiple inspections while it is repaired.

The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has backed the proposal to add a QOR to the process arguing that it would ensure written-off vehicles are repaired to an industry standard.

"The introduction of a QOR process will mean fewer repairable write-offs are returned to the road as the documentation and inspection process will add cost to the repair.

"However, it will ensure that the vehicles returned are repaired to a safe industry standard."

The RACQ is also concerned that written-off vehicles from interstate are being transported to Queensland where the cost of repairs is "more economical" because of the lack of a QOR process.

Motor Trades Association of Queensland chief executive Rod Camm said his organisation supported any move to tidy up Queensland's written-off vehicle scheme.

Mr Camm backed the introduction of a QOR process, which he said could not just be a "cursory check".

"The scheme will stand or fall on that issue," he said.

"It has to be a genuine inspection. It can't be a process where people just supply information, supply receipts."

Law changes more than a year away

Other measures proposed by TMR include providing the written-off status of vehicles on the department's website or the Qld Rego Check app.

The move would make it easier for prospective buyers to check a vehicle's written-off status before making a purchase.

The TMR spokesperson said it was difficult to determine how long it would take to implement its proposed changes.

"It would take approximately 12 to 18 months to draft legislation, progress through parliament, and implement changes to the [written-off vehicle] scheme," they said.

In 2021, the government proposed a bigger overhaul of the write-off scheme by categorising all light vehicles as statutory write-offs with only a few exemptions.

The government ultimately determined not to go ahead with the changes after a parliamentary committee recommended that they reconsider the reforms.