Branding Protects Everyone

Any car registered in a Canadian province or territory has a permanent record that is linked to its . When a car is stolen or severely structurally damaged (sometimes called a “write-off”) authorities can add a note, or a brand, to that record.

Four different brands can be assigned. The names vary depending on the province, but the categories are essentially the same:

• Irreparable – a badly damaged vehicle that can only be used for parts or scrap metal. A car with this brand cannot be driven.
• Salvage – a vehicle that can be repaired, but cannot be driven until an inspector has deemed it safe.
• Rebuilt – a vehicle that was branded “salvage,” but has since been rebuilt and passed a safety inspection.
• Stolen – a vehicle that has been reported stolen. This brand can be assigned or cancelled only by police, and is cancelled only when the vehicle is recovered.

Branding fights crime and protects consumers

Branding makes it more difficult for criminals to pass off stolen or unsafe vehicles to the unsuspecting public. In this way, it protects consumers and makes roads safer.

Because every vehicle has a VIN that is linked to the vehicle’s record, crooks need to work very hard to make stolen cars look legitimate. Often, this involves removing the VIN from a car in the junkyard and putting it on a stolen car to mask its identity.

By disguising its true identity, a criminal can sell you a car that is stolen or that has serious hidden damage. Many unsuspecting consumers have purchased stolen vehicles and later had them seized by the police with little hope of recovering the money they paid. Others have bought seemingly fit vehicles, only to discover that structural damage makes the car undriveable.

If junk vehicles are branded irreparable or salvage, their VINs are of little use to criminals. Branding makes it very difficult for crooks to disguise the identities of stolen and damaged vehicles.

Branding:

• enhances road safety by ensuring proper repair of “salvage” vehicles;
• protects consumers by making stolen cars and car parts more difficult to resell; and
• helps police identify stolen vehicles.