The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is making Island roads safer by requiring all salvage vehicles to pass a new safety inspection before being deemed legal to drive, says Minister Robert Vessey.
“This new inspection will help keep dangerous vehicles off our roads while giving consumers the peace of mind that the vehicle they’ve purchased has undergone a thorough inspection,” said the minister. “Safety on our Island roads is a priority for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. We’ve heard very clearly from the P.E.I. Automobile Dealers Association, body shop owners and the general public that a more comprehensive safety inspection is needed for salvage vehicles.”
The new inspection will be mandatory for all salvage vehicles registered in the Province as of May 1, 2013.
This new inspection includes requirements beyond those in the regular motor vehicle safety inspection as it applies to an inspection of the body reconstruction work of a salvage vehicle.
Anyone intending to rebuild a salvage vehicle, must apply to a licensed Salvage Vehicle Inspection Station body shop for an inspection and inform them of any damage by providing photos prior to any repairs being done on the vehicle. After structural repairs are made to the vehicle, the work will be inspected by a licensed Salvage Vehicle Inspection Technician to ensure all repairs were done properly. It will be inspected again once all other repairs are made. If it passes the inspection, it can then be inspected under the annual motor vehicle safety inspection and then apply to be registered as a rebuilt vehicle.
“This new inspection means all vehicle rebuilders must meet the same standards when repairing vehicles, which is good for the industry and consumers,” said Bill Dalziel, owner of Dalziel’s Auto Body. “First and foremost our priority is ensuring the vehicles that are repaired are safe for drivers and passengers.”
The new inspection is in addition to the standard P.E.I. motor vehicle safety inspection currently performed on all vehicles, including salvage vehicles.
Salvage vehicles include any vehicle that is damaged by collision, fire, accident, vandalism or other incident to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle exceeds its value. There are approximately 700 salvage vehicles being repaired and registered as rebuilt vehicles annually.