As Vehicle Damage Assessors (VDAs), keeping up to date with industry standards is essential. One of the most significant documents governing our field is the ABI’s Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motor Vehicle Salvage. The latest salvage code revision, issued in May 2025, brings a number of vital changes that reflect the evolution of vehicle technology, repairability, and environmental responsibility.
Here’s a concise overview of the main updates and what they mean for assessors, bodyshops, insurers, and salvage agents.
1. Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Guidance
The 2025 Code introduces detailed provisions specific to electric and hybrid vehicles. With high-voltage systems now commonplace, it’s critical that assessments factor in the safety, reparability, and recyclability of components such as battery packs and structural battery enclosures.
What it means: Assessors must be trained in handling high-voltage systems and be familiar with manufacturer repair procedures to make accurate and safe salvage decisions.
2. Inclusion of Megacasting Technology
Modern manufacturing methods like megacasting, where large vehicle structures are produced as single aluminium components, are now acknowledged in the code. These parts are typically non-repairable and difficult to replace.
What it means: Greater care is needed when evaluating structural damage. Vehicles with megacast components may be more likely to be classified as Category S or B depending on impact location.
3. Improved Categorisation for More Vehicle Types
The code refines categorisation for a wider range of vehicles, including Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), motorcycles, and other specialist vehicles. This ensures more consistent and fair assessments across all classes.
What it means: Tailored guidance improves accuracy, reducing disputes and ensuring vehicles are categorised appropriately for their type and usage.
4. Clarity on Reusable Parts
There’s clearer direction on which components may be safely reused, with emphasis on ensuring safety-critical parts meet stringent standards before resale or reinstallation.
What it means: Salvage operators and assessors must verify the condition and history of parts before deeming them suitable for reuse, especially in structural or safety-critical roles.
5. High Voltage Battery Handling Protocols
Specific criteria have been added for assessing, storing, and disposing of high-voltage batteries. These procedures are designed to support environmental best practice and maintain safety throughout the salvage process.
What it means: A structured approach to battery assessment is now mandatory. Partnering with authorised recycling facilities will be crucial.
6. Updated Salvage Categorisation Matrix
A revised matrix helps assessors determine the appropriate salvage category using a combination of structural integrity, repair feasibility, and vehicle type. It supports more transparent and auditable categorisation decisions.
What it means: The matrix supports assessors in making defensible, consistent calls, especially on borderline cases.
7. Streamlined Dispute Resolution
The updated code introduces a clearer, more efficient dispute resolution process involving Appropriately Qualified Persons (AQPs). This ensures professional, evidence-based mediation when disagreements arise over salvage categorisation.
What it means: Faster resolutions and less ambiguity in contentious cases, reducing delays and potential litigation.
8. Enhanced Waste Management Considerations
The Code now includes more detailed guidance on waste control and the handling of end-of-life vehicles, particularly in the context of international waste shipment regulations.
What it means: Salvage operators must be aware of and comply with national and international regulations for the handling and movement of salvaged vehicles and components.
The ABI’s 2025 Code of Practice represents a significant step forward in aligning salvage categorisation with today’s increasingly complex vehicle technologies. For damage assessors, staying informed and trained on these developments isn’t just a matter of compliance, it’s a professional obligation.
These changes will not only influence how we assess and categorise vehicles but will also enhance road safety, promote environmental responsibility, and help maintain public confidence in the automotive salvage industry.