The_Assessor_Summer 2026 Web - Flipbook - Page 33
not only a claims-cost lens. “Under
Consumer Duty, customers should
receive clear explanations, fair
treatment and outcomes that can be
evidenced,” said Wayne. “Where a
vehicle is technically repairable, there
should be a clear record of whether
repair-preservation options, recycled
parts, manufacturer support or proper
repairer input were considered before
the vehicle was written off.”
Several vehicle manufacturers operate
total loss avoidance schemes when
repair costs narrowly exceed the
insurance company’s threshold. The
BMW/MINI Borderline programme
has been running for over seven
years and, historically, operated as a
reactive programme. Since 2023, it has
evolved into a proactive programme
and saved over 1,000 vehicles, keeping
those vehicles within the BMW/MINI
EcoSystem.
The process is straightforward. Once a
bodyshop is enrolled onto The BMW
Borderline Programme, the system
automatically intercepts estimates from
both Audatex and GT Motive, issuing
support offers for those that meet
the relevant criteria and thresholds.
Estimates that fall close to the
qualifying parameters trigger an email
noti昀椀cation, advising the bodyshop on
the actions required to become eligible
for additional support.
Once an offer is accepted by the
bodyshop and authorised, the details
are shared with the supplying parts
retailer, who will provide the parts to
the bodyshop at a discounted price,
making the process of sourcing and
purchasing parts quick and ef昀椀cient.
At all times, there are agents on hand
to support the bodyshops through the
process and to answer any questions
they may have. To register, email
application@bmwborderline.co.uk.
Volkswagen Group’s Total Loss
Avoidance (TLA) Programme (with
TPS) has been running since 2014 and
has evolved several times to become
the programme it is today. Last year it
saved just under 4,000 vehicles. The
team will respond to requests within
30 minutes of receipt of the assessment
and email a quote to both the parts
team and the VDA at the bodyshop.
“It’s really simple; once the bodyshop
signs up we will receive the relevant
data from their Audatex or GT Motive
assessment, and our system will
identify any borderline vehicles for
our Parts Sales Executive to review,”
explained Chris Jesson, National
Accident Account Manager, Part
Sales Operations, Volkswagen Group
Silverlake’s focus is on delivering consistency and
con昀椀dence, ensuring that recycled parts are not seen as a
compromise, but as a reliable, professional solution that
supports both commercial and sustainability goals.
UK. “If we choose to, we will apply
further discount to the entire parts
basket, including EV batteries, and
if accepted by the customer, we will
invoice that price, which saves them
from additional paperwork to claim
discounts or rebates. Although it’s
mostly bodyshops who contact us as
we receive their assessment data, we
are keen to work with insurers to try
and save those vehicles that are triaged
straight to salvage.” Bodyshops can
sign up to the scheme by emailing
tla@tpsnational.trade.
VRA-certi昀椀ed, high-quality, graded
recycled OEM parts can also play
a signi昀椀cant role in reducing repair
bills, speeding up K2K times and
reducing credit hire bills, and also
come with a warranty. “At Silverlake,
our focus is on delivering consistency
and con昀椀dence, ensuring that
recycled parts are not seen as a
compromise, but as a reliable,
professional solution that supports
both commercial and sustainability
goals,” explained Neil. “We have
invested in bespoke technology
so real-time parts availability and
cost, via our parts portal, can be
integrated into bodyshops’ estimating
systems, enabling recycled parts to
automatically be a realistic option at
the very start of the repair process;
saving bodyshops parts sourcing time
and boosting workshop productivity.
“For insurers, the use of recycled parts
can avoid the need to total loss a
vehicle, boosting customer satisfaction
and strengthening customer retention;
removing the acquisition cost of
replacing the customer whilst at the
same time supporting ESG strategies
and carbon reduction targets,” said
Neil. “We are seeing sustainability and
recycled parts becoming central to
mainstream claims strategy.”
Silverlake has seen back orders for its
stocks of recycled parts drop by 34%
since Jan 2025 – Jan 2026. “This is
as a direct result of our strategy and
investment, while using data and
analytics to ensure we are buying
www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor | SUMMER 2026 | THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL
and dismantling the right vehicles
to meet market demand,” said Neil.
“We are proud to be working in
active partnership with our bodyshop
customers and we are in a better
position than ever to offer supply chain
certainty.”
Pressure on claims in昀氀ation
Another reason why write-offs are
increasing, as Neil points out, is that
insurers are facing increasing pressure
from claims in昀氀ation. “In 2025, they
paid out a staggering £11.9 billion
in motor claims, almost two-thirds of
which related to vehicle damage,”
said Neil. “Whilst claim volumes have
fallen, no doubt aided by an increase
in higher excess levels; claim values
continue to escalate. Ancillary claims
costs, in particular credit hire, continue
to experience unprecedented in昀氀ation
and when combined with prolonged
hire duration cause further 昀椀nancial
impact. Growth in EVs is pivotal here
too, as they take longer to repair
and require more expensive rental
cars. An effective balance has to be
found. For insurers, routing a vehicle
that is borderline total loss has to
be determined by cost and recovery
opportunities linked to the options of
repair versus salvage versus resale.”
As EV numbers rise, Category S and
N write-offs increase, because battery
damage can be dif昀椀cult and expensive
to assess and even minor impacts can
trigger full battery replacement which
will then incur the cost of disposal of
the original assembly. “EVs can be
more susceptible to being written
off, mainly because of the added
sensitivity around battery systems,
uncertainty around hidden damage,
and the relationship between repair
cost and vehicle value,” said Wayne.
“That does not always mean they are
less repairable in a physical sense,
but it can mean they fall into total loss
territory more quickly if the process
is cautious or the economics become
stretched.”
[continued on page 34]
33
