Worried about someone sidling up to you at an auction for written-off vehicles and quietly suggesting the Commodore coming up for bid next might cost you your kneecaps if you put your hand up? Worry no more – Allianz Australia is prepared to let you bid from the security of your own computer.

Playing its part to reduce the trade in stolen motor vehicle parts, Allianz is trialling the online auction of written-off vehicles. The insurer and its auctioneer, Pickles Auctions, will sponsor a pilot project that will only be open to parts recyclers participating in the national parts code of practice.

The code requires members to commit to selling legitimate parts only and to open their books for audit. Allianz says that at present the trade – which is worth up to $300 million a year – revolves around vehicles sold at on-site auctions and there are concerns that criminals can exert pressure to deter bidders from buying the vehicles they want.

Allianz says the online auctions are also expected to be more convenient for regional parts recyclers who currently have to travel to metropolitan centres.

The pilot will start in September and run for six months in NSW and Victoria.  Allianz GM Corporate Affairs Nicholas Scofield says Allianz was one of the instigators of the national parts code of practice, which was launched last year with support from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

So far 200 spare parts recyclers have registered under the code to have their operations audited for compliance.