Salvage services

How to Become a Registered Licenced Buyer

At ICBC Salvage certain vehicles are sold with restrictions on their future use. To purchase a vehicle with a restriction the Buyer must have the appropriate licensing.

The following are categories of buyers that may purchase ICBC salvage with restrictions. For further information on licencing requirements, click on the category of buyer:

  • Rebuilder/Dealer

  • Wrecker/Dismantler

  • Steel/Scrap Metal Recycler

  • Body Shop

  • General Public Company

To receive an application package or obtain further information, please contact your nearest ICBC Salvage Yard.

"Rebuilder/Dealer" shall mean a person who is authorized under a motor dealers certificate:

  • To supervise or perform repairs to reconstruct or rebuild a total loss vehicle to meet all reconstruction/rebuilt inspections as set out and prescribed by Municipal, Regional, Provincial and Federal Statutes, Regulations and Standards; and

  • To sell vehicles to both the wholesale and retail market.

  • To sell motorcycles if the Rebuilder/Dealer wishes to bid on salvage lots comprised solely of motorcycles and/or snowmobiles.

The Rebuilder/Dealer must hold:

  • a current and valid Motor Dealers certificate; and

  • a current and valid business licence if generally available in its location and be authorized to operate under its zoning requirements or have a land use contract from the local municipal or regional authority both of which define the business operation as a Rebuilder/Dealer or such other wording, acceptable to ICBC, which defines the business operation as that of sale and general repairs of vehicles; or

  • in the case of a heavy equipment Dealer who is not required to hold a Motor Dealers certificate, a current and valid business or land use contract defining the business operations as that of sale and repair of heavy equipment vehicles.

The Rebuilder/Dealer must also provide ICBC with proof, satisfactory to ICBC, of a contractual arrangement with a properly licensed autobody repair facility which demonstrates the Rebuilder/Dealer's intent and ability to rebuild vehicles. If the business is conducted from more than one location then the Rebuilder/Dealer must hold a valid current business licence or land use contract from each location.

"Wrecker/Dismantler" shall mean a person whose business is that of substantially wrecking, dismantling or disassembling and offering for sale the salvageable parts of a motor vehicle.

The Wrecker/Dismantler must hold a current and valid business licence if generally available in its location and be authorized to operate under its zoning requirements or have a land use contract from the local municipal or regional authority which defines the business operation as a motor vehicle Wrecking or motor vehicle Dismantler or such other wording acceptable to ICBC to define the business operation of the Wrecker/Dismantler as that of substantially wrecking, dismantling or disassembling and offering the salvageable parts of a motor vehicle for retail sale to the public. If the business is conducted from more than one location then the Wrecker/Dismantler must hold a valid current business licence or land use contract for each location.

"Steel/Scrap Metal Recycler" shall mean a person whose primary business is that of compacting, shredding or otherwise processing for destruction metals for resmelter, recycling or resale. The Steel/Scrap Metal Recycler may not sell second hand motor vehicle parts with the exception of vehicle batteries and tires which may only be sold through the wholesale tire and battery market and not to the public at large.

The Steel/Scrap Metal Recycler must hold a current and valid business licence if generally available in its location and be authorized to operate under its zoning requirements or have a land use contract from the local municipal or regional authority which defines the business operation as that of a Steel Recycler or Scrap metal Recycler or such other wording acceptable to ICBC to define the business operation of the Steel/Scrap Metal Recycler as that of compacting, shredding or otherwise processing for destruction metals for resmelter, recycling or resale. If the business is conducted from more than one location then the Steel/Scrap Metal Recycler must hold a valid current business licence or land use contract for each location.

“Body shop” is defined as a person who is authorized to supervise or perform repairs to reconstruct or rebuild a total loss vehicle to meet all reconstruction/rebuilt inspections as set out and prescribed by Municipal, Regional, Provincial, State and Federal Statutes, Regulations and Standards.

The following is the criteria for a Body shop to purchase salvage from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (“ICBC”):

The following documents must be provided:

  • Copy of current Business Licence or Land Use Contract defining the business as that of Body shop or other wording acceptable to the Corporation. (If business conducted from more than one location, copies of business licences are required for each location.)

  • Copy of B.C. Provincial Tax Registration or applicable Tax Registration

  • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation and/or business name registration with the Registrar of Companies for the Province of B.C. or applicable jurisdiction

  • Photographs that clearly depict the:

    • Shop

    • Office/Reception area

    • Signage

A Body Shop must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Possesses a valid business licence or land use permit for the area in which the business premises are located, if required by law;

  • Operates an existing full-time vehicle repair business during normal business hours namely, eight hours between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 days a week;

  • Signage

  • Provides an adequate warranty on repair work performed;

  • Must comply with applicable regulations for handling and disposal of hazardous and special waste;

  • Possesses tools and equipment sufficient to perform safe, quality repairs;

  • Complies with all regulations regarding compulsory trade certification in the jurisdiction of the business location;

A General Public Company must hold a current and valid business licence, if generally available in its location.