Assessment of damage to a motor vehicle

Objective and fair compensation for damages

The methodology of determining the amount of any damage respectivelly damage assessment is very important for an objective and fair compensation for damages.

Assessment of damage to a motor vehicle shall be implemented in several phases, namely:

I phase – determining of the value of the motor vehicle on the day of the damage
II phase – determining the value of the salvaged parts (residues) of vehicle
III phase – determining of the extent and value of the damage to the vehicle
IV phasecalculation of the total damage.

Determining of the value of the motor vehicle on the day of the damage

Determining of the value of the motor vehicle on the day of the damage represent first step  whereby begins damage assessment.

For the determining of value shall be taken the following elements:

  • New purchase price of the vehicle – shall be determined on the basis of market value if the subject model is produced or from the representative Catalogue of the relevant organization.
  • Age of the vehicle and the date of first registration – on the basis of this data shall be carried out the decrease of value by age and category (0-76%).
  • Traveled number of kilometers – a correction of value shall be made in relation to the fact if the subject vehicle has traveled more or less kilometers than the average predicted (± 3%).
  • The general condition of the vehicle – a drop in value shall be determined in relation to the disrepair of the vehicle (± 0-10%).
  • Investment – takeing into account the corrections which affect on the value of the vehicle (+ 0-10%).
  • The manner of exploitation – depending on the purpose of the vehicle it shall be included a drop of the value ​​(0-8%).
  • Earlier claims, the method and the quality of the made repairs – a drop of the value (0-6%).
  • Supply and demand in the market (± 10%).

If by the application of all the listed factors shall be found that the decline in value of the vehicle is more than 80% of the new purchase price, then the vehicle may have a maximum value of 20% of the value of a new vehicle.

Determining the value of the salvaged parts (residues) of vehicle

The value of remains with the damaged vehicle represents the market value of the usable parts reduced for the cost of dismantling, preparation, control and sale with the appropriate taxes.

The value of the parts which can’t be used shall be sold as scrap materials.

Determining of the extent and value of the damage to the vehicle

In determining the scope of damage to a motor vehicle should be determined based on knowledge of the degree of damage to individual parts and parts of the vehicle, technology repairs, as well as the price of spare parts and repairs:

  • the value of replacement parts
  • the value of the works for repairs
  • value of redecorating and
  • consumable materials.

Here it should be noted that in the budget should be calculated and so called reduced value of the vehicle, if the vehicle after the repair can not be fully restored to its previous state.

The calculation of the total damage

The calculation of the total damage to the vehicle is the last phase wherewith the damage assessment shall be terminated.

If the cost of repairs and possibly diminished value of the vehicle are equal or greater than the value of the motor vehicle on the day of the damage occurred reduced for estimated residual value it is about the total loss. In this case, the liquidation of the damage shell be done to the value of the vehicle which shall be usually reduced by the value of the rest.

Otherwise the repairs at an authorized service center shall be performed according to specification of determined the extent and value of the damage to the vehicle.

Also according to the listed methodology shall be done the assessment of the damage in case of theft of the vehicle. In this case, it shall be done estimating of the vehicle’s value on the day of the theft. Damage assessment will be implemented from the authorized person or Expert in the field of traffic and technical professions, according to the special requirements of the interested parties.

Read more:
Compensation for damages caused by using motor vehicles registered abroad »
Compensation in Traffic »
Motor vehicle insurance »

Your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with an asterisk .

Companies Act

Acquisition and disposal of high-value assets

The concept of acquisition and disposal of high-value assets, the procedure for acquisition, i.e. disposal of high-value assets, as well as the consequences of breaching provisions on the disposal of high-value assets, are regulated by the provisions of Articles 470 to 473 of the Companies Act. The cited provisions of the Companies Act apply to…
More info »
Law on Resolving Conflicts of Laws with the Regulations of Other Countries

Conditions for the recognition and enforcement of a foreign court judgment in the Republic of Serbia

A foreign court judgment takes legal effect in the Republic of Serbia after the recognition procedure has been completed by the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia. The procedure for the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments shall be conducted in accordance with: a bilateral treaty, where the procedural rules are contained in…
More info »
Law on Endowments and Foundations

Establishment of endowments and foundations

The Law on Endowments and Foundations (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 88/2010, 99/2011 – other law and 44/2018 – other law) (hereinafter: the Law on Endowments and Foundations) regulates the establishment and legal status of endowments and foundations, their assets, internal organisation, registration and deletion from the register, activities, status changes, supervision…
More info »
Employment Act

Contract with a director who is a foreign national

In certain specialised industries that are focused on international or specific foreign markets, companies often choose to appoint a foreign national to the position of director. Some of the most common questions that arise when making this decision include: Can I freely decide whether the director will be a domestic or foreign national? What are…
More info »
Law on Healthcare

Mandatory conditions for registering a polyclinic

A polyclinic, as a form of private practice, is established in accordance with the Law on Healthcare (“Official Gazette of RS”, nos. 25/2019, 92/2023 – authentic interpretation, and 29/2025 – Constitutional Court decision – hereinafter: the Law on Healthcare) for at least two different fields of medicine or dental medicine. In addition to the provisions…
More info »
Law on Foreigners

Temporary residence in Serbia based on family reunification

Temporary residence in Serbia based on family reunification allows foreign nationals to legally reside in the Republic of Serbia together with their family members. This type of residence is of particular importance because it protects the right to family life, recognised both by domestic legislation and international standards, and helps prevent families from being separated…
More info »
Patent Law

Recognition of the right of priority in the application for invention protection

The recognition of the right of priority in the application for invention protection is determined in the procedure conducted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia, as the competent authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Law (“Official Gazette of RS”, no. 99/2011, 113/2017 – other law, 95/2018, 66/2019 and…
More info »
Law on Strong Alcoholic Beverages

Legal requirements for the production of strong alcoholic beverages

In the positive law of the Republic of Serbia, the production and trade of strong alcoholic beverages are regulated by: The Law on Strong Alcoholic Beverages (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 92/2015), The Law on Food Safety (“Official Gazette of the RS”, Nos. 41/2009 and 17/2019), The Law on Trade (“Official Gazette of the…
More info »