Damaged vehicles and repair process

A vehicle that has been involved in an incident and has been reported by an insurance company to the Icelandic Transportation Authority is labelled as "Damaged Vehicle II" (tjónaökutæki II). Also, the labelling "Damaged Vehicle I" (tjónaökutæki I) automatically change to the labelling "Damaged Vehicle II" if no request for a re-evaluation has been made within 20 days. Vehicle inspection stations are authorized to carry out a re-evaluation. Re-evaluation can confirm that the vehicle is indeed a damaged vehicle or or lead to the cancellation of the damage registration.

Assessment and registration of a vehicle as "Damaged Vehicle II"

The labelling of a vehicle as a "Damaged Vehicle II" and the re-evaluation a vehicle labelled as "Damaged Vehicle I" are based on more detailed criteria than are used when a vehicle is labelled as a "Damaged Vehicle I". The parties involved need to have education and experience in this field and therefore falls under the responsibility of insurance companies' claims departments and certified vehicle inspection stations.

The basis for the assessment whether a vehicle should be labelled as a "Damaged Vehicle II" is based on the following:

• Damage to frame around glued windows: The windscreen of a vehicle is considered a part of the structure if it is glued and the frame around it must not have been damaged. The same applies to other glued windows that are part of a vehicle's structure. Note that limited damage to glued windows that is not part of a larger damage, e.g. star or cracks after a mineral impact, does not cause registration as a damaged vehicle.

• Wheels or axles arched or displaced: This includes axles, anchorages, springs and wheels. Check whether the anchorages of the wheels and axles, which are considered structural, are broken and whether there are visible signs of wheel or steering equipment arching or displacement.

• Airbags/air bags that have been employed: Applies to all airbags of the vehicle.

• Seatbelt tensioners activated or stretched: Seatbelt tensioners have been activated. Also if the seatbelt has been stretched (sees damaged or uneven seams).

• Wheel and steering gear bent or displaced: The axle or wheel has been bent and there are visible signs of the wheel or steering gear being bent or displaced.

• Structure bent or anchorages loose: There are visible signs that the structure of the bodywork or the independent structure has been bent. Particular attention should be paid to fastenings of the springs and steering equipment. The punched end of the frame usually creates a fault in the wheels and steering equipment.

• Deformation of the bodywork or chassis: There are visible signs of a bending of the chassis or on the bodywork. This can be seen by comparing door gaps and window gaps. In the case of side damage, it is possible to compare door gaps between doors on the same side or between sides (assume that the door gaps should be alike on every door on an undamaged vehicle).

• Cracks or buckles in the roof structural elements: Roof cracks or buckling are a definite signs of structural damage (cracks and deformation is often visible above the rear front door bar).

Further clarification of individual terms and cases:

• Structure: The structure of vehicles includes self-supporting bodywork and chassis. Also the occupant safety compartment as well as the structural and safety components of the bodywork. If the structure of a vehicle is damaged, it is considered to be a damaged vehicle.

• Front window: The front window of a vehicle is considered a structural structure if it is glued. Other glued windows that are part of a vehicle structure are also applicable. When the glued front windows are replaced, the instructions of the manufacturer must be followed. Damage to the frame around the front window leads to labelling of the vehicle as damage vehicle. Separate damage to the sealed windows that is not part of a larger damage, e.g. a star or cracks after a mineral impact, shall be treated according to the explanation given in the vehicle inspection manual and the vehicle shall not be considered a damaged vehicle.

• Wheeling equipment: This includes axles, suspension system, wheels and fastenings (anchorages). If the fastenings of the wheeling equipment of a vehicle, which are considered structural, are loose ore there are visible signs of the wheeling or steering equipment having been curved or moved out of place, the vehicle is considered to be a damaged vehicle.

• Safety equipment: Vehicle safety equipment includes seatbelts, airbags as well as other active safety equipment such as camera and proximity equipment. If the airbags of a vehicle were emplyoed, it is considered a damaged vehicle. A vehicle is also considered a damaged vehicle if the safety belt tensioners have been activated and/or have been stretched on the safety belt.