Last updated 2025-04-17

Salvage designations and vehicle registration codes

Summary of salvage designations and vehicle registration codes.

Salvage designation

When a vehicle is deemed a total loss and is sold through Salvage Operations. The estimator must indicate if the vehicle can be re-buildable, used for dismantling purposes only or should be crushed in ClaimCenter or on the Total Loss Worksheet.

The designation status of a vehicle determines whether it

can be rebuilt, or
is non-repairable.

The status is recorded in the BC Vehicle Registry.

Status	Definition
Salvage	The vehicle has sustained damage to the extent that it is written off by an insurer, but can be rebuilt using appropriate techniques and materials. Note: Such rebuilt vehicles receive a rebuilt status following the required inspections.
Non-repairable	The vehicle has sustained severe damage to the extent that rebuilding is prohibited, older low value vehicles or vehicles sustaining water, flood, or fire damage. The declaration on the vehicle is either for dismantle purposes only (DPO) or crushed.

Translation from ICBC Salvage to BC Vehicle Registry

When a vehicle is sold, the VISion Designation updates the BC Vehicle Registry System (BC VRS) with the appropriate status. The following table shows how the VISion designations relate to the BC VRS status:

VISion Designation (Brand)	BC Vehicle Registry Status
Non-repairable	D (Non-Repairable)
Salvage	S (Salvage)