Understand what medium-damage category vehicles mean and learn how to take advantage of the conditions to do good deals in a safe and advantageous way.

In automotive auctions, there are several technical terms that are unknown to newcomers in the sector and confusing to understand, such as small damage, medium damage and large damage. Copart Brasil will simplify these terms for you and show you how advantageous it can be to buy a damaged vehicle.

What are small, medium and large vehicles?

The National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) determines some criteria on the conditions of a vehicle after an accident, which traffic agents must consider and classify, in the police report, whether the accident is small, medium or large. These criteria define whether the vehicle can return to the streets - subject to an inspection and/or inspection - or not.

In the absence of a police report, the principal/seller of the vehicle must contact an ECV (Accredited Inspection Company) and provide the major classification as indicated by CONTRAN.

Minor: minor damage that affects the external and/or mechanical and structural parts of the vehicle. When parts are replaced or repaired, the vehicle can be returned to circulation immediately, without the need for a vehicle inspection.

Average: damage to external, mechanical and structural parts. The vehicle can only return to circulation after carrying out a safety inspection and obtaining the Vehicle Safety Certificate (CSV).

Major: serious damage to external, mechanical and structural parts. There are no conditions for them to return to circulation, that is, the vehicles are considered “irrecoverable”. Only automotive recycling companies can purchase a large vehicle.

How to make good deals on damaged vehicles?

Vehicles classified as small or medium-sized can return to the streets after having been repaired and, in the case of medium-sized vehicles, after passing the safety inspection. However, you can take advantage of these small repairs for your own use of the vehicle or for resale, but to do so, pay attention to the vehicle's documentation. The majority of repaired vehicles remain with the buyers themselves, while a smaller proportion are resold after repairs.

What about Grande Monta vehicles?

Attention: to buy a large vehicle, you must have authorization and be a legal entity registered with the transit authority.

When offering any vehicle that is in these conditions, for example a Porsche, you can use the car parts to be sold in scrap metal or in auto parts stores. In addition, there is also the possibility of selling the vehicle for recycling.