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JOURNAL
Code of Practice for the Categorisation of
Motorised Vehicle Salvage
28.05.2025
ABI SALVAGE CODE
UNDERSTANDING
THE UPDATED
ABI SALVAGE
CODE
(UPDATED MAY 2025).
he ABI has updated
its Salvage Code of
Practice, to bring
the guidance in line
with new vehicle
technology. The Code was last
updated in 2019. Setting out detailed
guidance for insurers and salvage 昀椀rms
regarding how written-off vehicles
should be categorised, the voluntary
code helps ensure that unsafe vehicles
and parts are not put back onto our
roads.
T
“It is essential that the Code of Practice
maintains pace with the changing
landscape of motor vehicle technical
design and development in all classes
of vehicles,” said Adam Murray, Head
of Policy, Standards & Accreditation
at Solus ARC an Aviva Company, and
former IAEA President (2009/2010 and
2015/2017). “The revised Code has
added additional features to recognise
complexities in more vehicle types,
whilst recognising the increased move
to more sustainable solutions within
the repair sector.”
After extensive collaboration with
industry stakeholders – including
insurers, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau
(MIB), and Thatcham Research – the
updates improve the clarity of
the salvage code and its vehicle
categorisation and disputes processes,
and re昀氀ects changes brought on by
rapidly advancing vehicle technologies.
The updated Salvage Code of Practice
now brings electric and hybrid vehicles
within its guidance, and considers
megacasting, reusable parts, and
other advanced vehicle construction
methods.
It also features improved wording for
different vehicle types, such as Heavy
Goods Vehicles and motorcycles.
It really is about “opening up access
to green parts in a controlled manner,
reducing waste, and ensuring that
the public are protected as much as
16
they can be from exposure to rogue
operating, to keep everyone involved
in the process under the voluntary
Code,” explained David Punter, Past
President of the IAEA.
KEY UPDATES
The May 2025 revision includes three
notable areas of focus aligned with
modern vehicle tech:
1. ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES
With high-voltage systems and
battery packs now commonplace,
the updated Code mandates that
assessors receive proper training in
handling these systems. They must also
follow manufacturer procedures when
evaluating safety, reparability, and
recyclability
2. MEGACASTING TECHNOLOGY
The new Code explicitly addresses
megacasting, where large structural
components are cast as single
aluminium units. Because these
parts are often irreparable and costly
to replace, any structural damage
involving megacast components may
lead to more frequent classi昀椀cation as
Category S (repairable structural) or
Category B (non-repairable) depending
on the damage location.
Megacasting could make certain
repairs impossible or uneconomical.
Bodyshops must assess whether
replacement panels or components
even exist before completing an
estimate.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL
The May 2025 Code strongly reinforces
environmental considerations as a key
factor in vehicle salvage decisions.
This includes guidance on component
recyclability and environmentally
appropriate disposal practices.
SPECIFICS
structural damage accurately.
The updated Code calls for bodyshops
to follow manufacturer protocols for
battery-related repairs and understand
which components may or may not
be repairable. For bodyshops, this
means investment in training staff,
EV-safe equipment, and embracing
sustainability.
Repairers must now be able to identify,
isolate, and safely manage battery
systems before attempting structural or
cosmetic work. Staff should complete
EV-speci昀椀c training modules covering
high-voltage isolation, battery removal,
and manufacturer repair guidance.
In terms of investment in safety
equipment for bodyshops, this includes
insulated tools, protective gear, and
designated EV work areas which are
becoming “non-negotiable”.
This revision reinforces industry-wide
commitments to consumer safety,
transparency, and ecological
responsibility in vehicle salvage.
Insurers must emphasise
environmental compliance in handling
damaged vehicles and updated criteria
will in昀氀uence categorisation decisions
–potentially increasing Category S/B
classi昀椀cations – of note to salvage
agents.
Mark Shepherd, Head of General
Insurance Policy at the ABI, said:
“By ensuring that consumers have
transparency about the history of
vehicles they are considering buying,
the salvage code is a great example
of the insurance industry working
together to make the UK’s roads safer.
“It’s important the code moves with
the times, and this update re昀氀ects
the increasing sophistication of our
vehicles, including new powertrains
and construction methods.”
JOURNAL
Assessors (VDAs) must now be trained
for high-voltage vehicle systems and
equipped to assess megacast
The new 27-page code can be found
via abi.org.uk
THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | AUTUMN 2025 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
