Considering a 2017 BMW 330i (Repairable Write-Off) – Advice?

LKozahry on 17/03/2025 - 14:09

Hey everyone, I’m looking at a 2017 BMW 330i LCI Msport (F30) that was originally listed at AU\$19,000 in Brisbane but I’ve managed to talk the seller down to AU\$16,000 in cash. I’ve wanted a 3 Series for a while, and this one looks really clean in all the photos—Alpine White, black Dakota leather interior, 96,000 km, full Msport package, and apparently full BMW service history. The seller claims everything is “immaculate,” it comes with 6 months rego, and it has all the bells and whistles (HUD, lane assist, 19” Msport wheels, LED headlights, etc.).

However, after calling, I found out it’s a repairable write-off. I did a PPSR check and it shows two notations on the NEVDIS record:

  • QLD, 15 May 2024, Repairable Write-off

    • I03B (Impact | Driver side | Light panel)
    • I04A (Impact | Driver rear | Heavy panel)
    • I05B (Impact | Passenger rear | Light panel)

  • QLD, 01 Aug 2024, Inspected

    • I03B (Impact | Driver side | Light panel)
    • I04A (Impact | Driver rear | Heavy panel)
    • I05B (Impact | Passenger rear | Light panel)

It’s not reported stolen, but clearly it’s been in some sort of accident(s) that led to it being written off, then inspected for roadworthiness. The seller says it’s all fixed, drives perfectly, etc.

My questions:

  1. Does a repairable write-off automatically mean I should walk away?
  2. Is there a chance the car could still be decent if the repairs were done properly, especially if I can confirm it’s been inspected and re-registered?
  3. What extra checks would you recommend? Should I demand receipts/photos of the repairs or get a professional inspection?

I love the idea of owning a 330i with these options at a reduced price, but I also don’t want to end up with a lemon that’s going to give me endless trouble or be difficult to insure/resell. Any thoughts, experience, or advice from those who’ve dealt with repairable write-offs (particularly in Queensland) would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance! Find the listing with the pictures of the car below.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/9375336589190735?r…

Automotive BMW Car

Comments

  • boomramada on 17/03/2025 - 14:14

    Does a repairable write-off automatically mean I should walk away?

    Check with your insurer, if you can insure it, then what going to happen if you try to re-sell it one day?

    2017 BMW 330i

    So what is your actual saving based on the car that hasn't written off?

    • Kozahry on 17/03/2025 - 14:19

      Yes I can insure it and to buy it normally would probably be around $23,870 – 29,480* so I would be saving like 10k roughly. that being said his listing didnt say it was a writeoff until i called him and asked if there had been any accidents. He said it was written off when he bought it and it has been his main car he was driving for about 11 months since then. He also said I can arrange a return policy where if anything major happens to the car within 3 months or 5000 km i can return it and get my money back.

      • boomramada on 17/03/2025 - 14:23
        +25

        You are asking the question from the wrong forum;

        • Not a Toyota
        • EU out of the factory warrenty
        • Written off

        The standard response will be RUN, but it's your call :)

      • spackbace on 17/03/2025 - 14:23
        +20

        He also said I can arrange a return policy where if anything major happens to the car within 3 months or 5000 km i can return it and get my money back.

        Yeah… don't believe a word of that

        Yes I can insure it

        Who insures write-off vehicles these days?

        • brendanm on 17/03/2025 - 16:12
          +1

          Everyone insures repaired write offs as far as I can tell. It will obviously be for a lower value.

          • JDMcarfan on 17/03/2025 - 16:51
            +1

            @brendanm: its usually only 'market' value and not agreed
            so prepared to get reamed if you ever need it (given they'd use its WOVR status to lowball)

            • brendanm on 17/03/2025 - 17:24

              @JDMcarfan: I've had agreed value quoted on one I was looking at. Not sure if others would do the same.

          • Poor Ass on 18/03/2025 - 09:59
            -1

            @brendanm: lies

            • brendanm on 18/03/2025 - 10:01

              @Poor Ass: Why on earth would I lie. I was looking at buying a "vandalised" vehicle that was the exact spec I wanted from auction. Called Shannon's, told them the story, they said that's no problem at all, and gave me an agreed value range that they'd insure it for.

              Feel free to call them and ask yourself, it's not hard.

        • iDroid on 17/03/2025 - 17:03
          +2

          I've purchased back 2 of my own write-offs (hail damage).

          Never had issues insuring them.

      • Murkymerv on 17/03/2025 - 15:13
        +9

        BMW repairable write-off , any thoughts 🤔
        Keep walking and don't look back !

      • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 15:43
        +12

        He also said I can arrange a return policy where if anything major happens to the car within 3 months or 5000 km i can return it and get my money back.

        biggest red flag here mate.

        he's promising things he doesn't have to follow through on.

        He knows the car is crap, and he knows it will fall apart, so he's giving you a promise that legally he doesn't have to adhere to

        I guarantee you that once you give him your money, he's blocking you and you'll never hear from him.

        run.

      • brendanm on 17/03/2025 - 16:12
        +8

        Lol, driving it for 11 months? It's only had its VIV check in August, August to now is not 11 months.

        Also, there is no way in the world.you are veer getting your money back from someone like this.

      • miwahni on 17/03/2025 - 21:55
        +8

        Ad says one owner. Car is 8 years old but he's had it for 11 months? What else is he lying about?

        • Poor Ass on 18/03/2025 - 10:01

          owner and his invisible mate

      • Poor Ass on 18/03/2025 - 09:59

        who can you use that would insure repairable write offs?

      • MrTweek on 18/03/2025 - 10:36

        tbh, the fact that they are selling it again after 11 months makes wonder if there is something wrong with it that's too expensive to fix.

        Definitely get a professional inspection done at least. It costs like $350, but can save you a lot more than that.

        • spackbace on 18/03/2025 - 13:38
          +1

          They're selling it because they're the flipper. Likely own the panel shop does, or mate/relative does

  • apsilon on 17/03/2025 - 14:18
    +4

    Resale value will always be lower. As long as you're paying around 20% or more under market value and it all checks out (yes you should get receipts and have it checked) and you're happy with it then go for it.

  • lachhelix on 17/03/2025 - 14:22
    +13

    I'm of the opinion that if the seller tries to "hide" or doesn't specify that they're selling a WOVR car that you run far away - there's a reason why they haven't said anything

  • Boioioioi on 17/03/2025 - 14:29
    +20

    Run for your life. Repairable write offs are questionable often, if done well it could be okay but more often than not they are not.

    This seller has 2.8 star facebook rating, with numerous 1 or 2 star reviews. Nowhere in the ad does it mention repairable write off. If they're trying to hide that, what else are they trying to hide? Based off the reviews it looks like they do this kind of thing often. Go on their profile and look at sold listings, lots of euro cars. I'd say they make a business of flipping cars. Combine that with the poor reivews and I'd say this car has gremlins swept under the carpet.

    I can see a P plate on one of the pictures - car has probably been thrashed.

  • Fredfloresjr on 17/03/2025 - 14:30
    +3

    Ensure you have enough Panadol for headache before making that Decision. Good luck OP.

  • Drakesy on 17/03/2025 - 14:31
    +1

    The crash is going to be the least of your worries.

    That car's 8 years old, just be sure to have $2k a year in repairs set aside :)

    Oh and the lube for the reaming.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 15:42
      +2

      2? wait until the 'twin turbo' blows up.

      • Drakesy on 17/03/2025 - 15:56
        +4

        Surely that means you have one for redundancy!?

        right!?
        RIGHT!?

    • tenpercent on 17/03/2025 - 15:44

      What part of the car is the "reaming"?

      • Drakesy on 17/03/2025 - 15:56
        +1

        The entire thing really.
        But largely concentrated in the engine bay and transmission.

  • barge-in hunter on 17/03/2025 - 14:35
    +4

    (In Vic at least) it's a legal requirement for them to disclose it prior to the contract of sale being signed.

    Definitely a red flag if they haven't disclosed it early.

    My main concern would be the quality of the repairs - heavy panel damage is difficult to repair properly. Bear in mind that it was written off because the insurance company believed the repair cost was more than the car was worth (minus scrap value).

  • Kozahry on 17/03/2025 - 14:37

    Interesting thanks for all the responses guys I might give the car a test drive just to see if its good I have a friend who's a mechanic who specializes in BMW but it seems maybe best if I dont get this.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 15:41
      +6

      a test drive won't tell you if there's anything wrong with the car other than "it starts and moves".

    • Boioioioi on 18/03/2025 - 08:47
      +2

      The other consideration, if you can't afford to buy the BMW without the discount for being crashed, you probably can't afford to buy a euro car in general. The upkeep is quite expensive. I too bought a euro car which I could just afford because it was cool. It was definitely cool but far out the upkeep was insane! Constant money pit.

    • pwnd on 18/03/2025 - 12:09
      +1

      Everyone is telling you to walk away and yet you still waste further time by wanting to look at it.
      Car looks filthy inside, with caked up gunk in the centre console.
      Back pannel allignment is shot, so repairs have been done cheaply and to a poor standard.
      If your budget is around $20k, owning a used European vehicle is not for you, as your maintenance and service costs will be a significant percentage of your purchase price.

  • LanceVance on 17/03/2025 - 14:37
    +3

    I wouldn't get too much additional comfort from a full BMW service history. BMW is one of those brands that thinks having 20-25,000 km's between services is perfectly fine, knowing that the initial owner likes that convenience and they likely won't be affected by it is they'll roll into the new model in 5 years before the problems surface.
    A car from these brands may have the appearance of being serviced 'perfectly' in the manufacturers eyes, but from the perspective of mechanical longevity this is very much not the case.

  • brendanm on 17/03/2025 - 14:50
    +11

    Sellers name is basically what I expected. Backyard car dealer selling repairable write offs on marketplace.

    Edit - and it's in Logan 😂

  • MS Paint on 17/03/2025 - 14:52
    +5

    Lol. FFS.

  • Bargainitis on 17/03/2025 - 14:59
    +1

    I would suggest you save up a bit and get a non-repairable write off. 330i is also quite a common car so you should have plenty of choice.

    Its just not worth the hassle and when / if the car has issues, you wont be kicking yourself on why you bought it despite all the advice not to.

    • djsweet on 17/03/2025 - 16:56
      +1

      Personally I’d prefer a repairable write-off than a non repairable one.

      • Bargainitis on 17/03/2025 - 17:33

        haha my bad… that was bad grammar.

  • jv on 17/03/2025 - 15:29
    +4

    🏃

  • TrdiK89 on 17/03/2025 - 15:36
    +1

    you should buy it but not for that price which you will need all the money for proper maintenance on it and it will never be 100% like it was when it left factory when new

  • SYLTB on 17/03/2025 - 15:37
    +5

    No matter what the forum folks say OP will buy this heavily write off car. Human is interesting creature!
    He has already decided and here he is justifying his wrong decision!

  • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 15:41

    The seller claims everything is “immaculate,”

    Yeah this is always a read flag. A car with 100k km on it, especially a crappy 3 series, will always have issues. As you've found out.

    are you young?

    Because you're going to be spending a lot of money to maintain this car. Hope you have 5-10k put aside for the first 6 months with all the issues you're going to get from this.

  • Peza on 17/03/2025 - 15:54
    +2

    I would run..

    You are saving a few pennies now for likely loss of many dollars later.. plus the constant 'what if' that you have to endure during ownership…

    I don't change cars often, but with any decent purchase I do make, I make sure I see value in the trade.
    Drop the attraction to the car, take a step back, and ask yourself - what advice would you give to your mate if he came to you with this issue? (based on all the facts, FB rating, the non-disclosure, seems to flip cards, the P plate etc - quite a few red flags).
    The only positive is the price which isn't exactly loose change either for an 8yr old written off BMW. You could go half way and keep an eye on some of the auction sites which are usually unregistered (lloyds, pickles etc) or go private and try negotiating (in the hope you find someone who just wants a car gone)

    If the car is valued at 23,870 – 29,480, then finding a decent one (low miles, decent int/ext, mechanically checked) somewhere at that low range would be what you expect to spend - otherwise that car isnt for you.

    Also constantly check places like https://prestigeautotraders.com.au .. I have found their prices pretty reasonable for a dealer, and stock is always moving

  • pegaxs on 17/03/2025 - 15:57
    -1

    Advice? Yeah, stop posting troll threads… no one willingly considers an ex-written off out of warranty BMW, FFS.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 17/03/2025 - 15:59

      teenagers who think they can "fix it" or "won't happen to them"

  • Kozahry on 17/03/2025 - 16:10
    +3

    Yeah after consideration not gonna buy this car thanks all for the insight.

    • spackbace on 17/03/2025 - 16:25
      +1

      Google the vin, you may find the original auction listing showing damage

      • Wiadro on 18/03/2025 - 00:35

        Nah they auction sites take the listings down as soon as they are sold.
        Impossible to find unless you have access to their internal systems

  • Financefiend on 17/03/2025 - 19:54

    Nothing screams a fake or secondary profile like having only 22 Facebook friends. I know teenagers that don’t even use Facebook that have more Fb friends than that. You could try calling his work and get a reference from his boss (Fb says he’s a Sales Engineer at SouthWest BM in Salisbury, Brisbane), but Fb Marketplace ratings from his buyers tell you all you need to know

    • bobbified on 17/03/2025 - 23:05
      +3

      he’s a Sales Engineer

      is this a new title that dodgy salesman use? lol

    • JIMB0 on 18/03/2025 - 08:13

      A decent sales engineer makes too much money to be bothered with flipping written off cars to suckers.

    • mckaul on 18/03/2025 - 11:04

      Is this someone from a dealership flipping unsellable trade ins?

  • Euphemistic on 17/03/2025 - 20:23

    Just dont. Repairable write off means it is likely to have been purchased for flipping after a quick repair regardless of what the seller tells you.

    There are plenty of other cars out there

  • Powderhound303 on 18/03/2025 - 07:59

    Ok the short answer is stay away from these cars.

    You will never be sble to sell them and they might have a fatal weakness which injure you in a car accident.

    They’re cheap for s reason and a write off for a readon,

    Stay away from rwo, you will be in a world of hurt.

    Also an old BMW is going to break down and cost big $$ to repair. Just buy a new car, modern tech, under warranty. No worries for you.

  • flywire on 18/03/2025 - 08:13

    Do you know what a 103B, 104A and 105B are?

    Also an old BMW is going to break down and cost big $$ to repair.

    More of a concern if it is the case than any resale value.

  • BrettSh on 18/03/2025 - 08:45

    Yeah… nah

  • afah0447 on 18/03/2025 - 08:54
    +2

    A wise man once told me, if you cannot afford to run and maintain a new BMW, you definitely cannot a second hand one!

  • THICKnSLOW on 18/03/2025 - 09:42

    Covid prices ended when the pandemic ended

    • Poor Ass on 18/03/2025 - 10:03
      +1

      not for Toyota

  • greatlamp on 18/03/2025 - 09:48

    Buy something older if you can't afford it. The bargain is the car owned by an executive, with full service history, who is upgrading because they bought a new car. Not the car owned by a hoon that crashed it and has now been repaired.

    The km travelled are a proxy for the condition of the car, but don’t ignore the more obvious signs of a poor condition car just because it has low kms.

    I suggest looking for a model that is more expensive will have been owned by someone that could afford to maintain it. It is also important to assess who the previous owner is. You can't do that when you buy a repaired wreck.

    You will need to spend a couple thousand per year in maintenance regardless which model you buy, might as well buy something that is worth maintaining.

    This is an example of what you are after. 6cyl engine. Stock and unmodified. Service history. You can get a very good used BMW, but not for under 20k. https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2015-bmw-2-series-m…

  • 91rs on 18/03/2025 - 10:02

    "The seller says it’s all fixed, drives perfectly, etc." - Of course he does, he wants to sell it.
    If its 1 owner as stated in the fb ad (if it can be trusted as its also listed as 9600km not 96000kms), I'm guessing he's been paid out, bought it cheap, had a cheap repair done and then trying to profit off it a second time.

    I'd steer so far away from anything that's a repairable write off, not taking the risk that in the off chance there is a big accident that the repair isn't done right and someone in the car dies, all because you wanted to save a few bucks.

  • Gongxifachai on 18/03/2025 - 10:26

    Disgusts me to my guts that people are scamming people for just 20k..
    Sure its alot of money for the seller too but earned at the expense of other people's hard earned money.

  • Dslrfirst on 18/03/2025 - 10:33

    walk away!

  • maybeamacy on 18/03/2025 - 11:11

    The sellers name is Pharaohz Hitta? Seems legit.

  • SuperMid on 18/03/2025 - 11:25

    Sellers claims its immaculate while its actually a write off. Why would you even bother proceeding after finding this out? Good luck selling it later on down the track as well.

  • Cluster on 18/03/2025 - 11:35

    More red flags here than in a parade in Tiananmen Square. This is a problem car and the seller is trying to get rid of it. Don't buy.

  • eddyah on 18/03/2025 - 11:49

    Thanks for posting the link - I've posted a low ball 12K offer to the seller to help you out on the negotiation - Best of luck!

    /ozbargain-master-race-salute

  • TightAl on 18/03/2025 - 13:27
    +2

    If you can only afford a WRITE OFF, you can't afford it.

    • SuperMid on 18/03/2025 - 17:51

      But its a bmw, it will make op look rich and powerful!

  • Aerith-Waifu on 18/03/2025 - 14:19

    Get a MG with 10 years warranty instead

  • I like GoodDeals on 18/03/2025 - 14:23

    Why do you want to buy an 7+ year old Repairable Write-Off BMW from a Dodgy seller on FB Marketplace with so many inaccuracies?
    This isn't a classic or a rare car, It a 330i. If you are interested in spending your weekends working on the car. Yes, go for it. But Hey, What could go wrong with a 7+year old BMW?

  • Muppet Detector on 18/03/2025 - 14:40

    I'm assuming there are repairable write offs and then there are repairable write offs.

    I can see how a car that is written off because of hail damage could be ok but this car seems to have been subject to damage to three panels on two different sides of the car.

    I mean, what kind of event leads to any car being written off following damage to three panels far less a bmw that could apparently sell for $20,000?

    How did they manage to damage opposite panels on two different sides of the car in one accident and not damage anything else?

    I'd be curious if there was damage to the chassis or anything else that could bent from a car spinning around enough to get hit on both sides.

    If it's one owner, this dude must know the details of the accident. It's not like he can claim little old lady drove it to the shops once a week.

    Selling it in less than one year? Sounds sus to me unless someone died or lost their licence I suppose.

    If they own more than one car, why are they selling this one?

    At the very least I'd get some sort of check (RACQ check?) where they put the thing on a hoist and have a good solid captain cook at things that might be bent and twisted underneath or on axels and tyre bits.

  • Kozahry on 18/03/2025 - 14:57

    Thanks for all the replies guys I have been extremely convinced to not touch this with a 19 foot pole! That being said any recommendations for a fun car under 20k?

    • lachhelix on 18/03/2025 - 15:02

      Skoda octavia RS

      • Kozahry on 18/03/2025 - 15:21

        Thank you! Seems hard to find in Brisbane though

    • somebody123 on 18/03/2025 - 15:59

      Golf R
      Toyota 86

      • spackbace on 18/03/2025 - 16:02

        86 is far from sporty, it just looks it but you may as well be driving a Corolla

  • blitz on 18/03/2025 - 16:08

    He also said I can arrange a return policy where if anything major happens to the car within 3 months or 5000 km i can return it and get my money back.

    Every single thing about this whole idea screams "walk away" and "huge red flag".

  • Muppet Detector on 18/03/2025 - 17:39

    We bought our kids a couple of new lancer sports for about $16k about 6 years ago.

    They're lasting well, look good and seem to be doing the trick.

    The red one goes fastest though.

  • Muppet Detector on 18/03/2025 - 17:40

    any recommendations for a fun car under 20k?

    Define "fun".

  • gromit on 18/03/2025 - 18:51

    Given he has written a misleading Ad, has lied to you on multiple items and these are not small omissions either. I would run the hell away as you can't trust anything else he says about the vehicle.

  • vinni9284 on 18/03/2025 - 19:30

    When you see that the seller is selling 5 or more cars, then you know they're out to flip. I'll avoid it like the plague

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