I am interested in buying a car with a salvaged titel - I am in CA. It is in great condition and drives perfect plus I am getting it for a real, real cheap deal - so yes I want it! The owner is a real good friend of my uncle and that's why I am not concerned of any hidden problems! He is driving it on the roads and everything and has licence plates, so I assume I don't have to go through the endless procedure of getting it inspected and allowed to be driven? - Am I right with that?
Whoever out there who has bought a salvaged car in the past, can you share with me the "paperwork" details I need to know.
Anything special with the DMV I have to look out for?
What about the insurance?
thank you for sharing your knowledge!
2007-01-18 08:49:31 · 6 answers · asked by nicoinla 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
From my experience, it would have to be a VERY good deal!!
First of all, find out the blue book for the car that is not salvage, you should be paying below HALF of that value. Secondly, you will have problems getting full coverage insurance since it is only worth half of what the same vehicle would be worth if not salvage. Third, is the title already marked salvage? If not, that could cause a few problems in getting the title transferred. And fourth, There can be many problems down the road that will not be evident right away such as bad allignment causing you to wear out tires very quickly, as well as wireing problems if part of another car was welded on to this one. I would tell you not to do it.
2007-01-18 08:56:09 · answer #1 · answered by not4u2c_yet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is not too much to worry about with a Salvage title vehicle. As you said you know the owner and he is a friend. You should ask though, how the vehicle became to have a Salvage title. It's important to know where the vehicle was damaged and maybe even who repiared it incase any problems arise it may be easier to detect in the future. Salvage vehicle are 50/50, if the vehicle was repaired the right way then there is a good chance it will last a long time and be a good car. You defentily want to know it's history if possible that way you are not left with any doubts about the car. As far as paper work goes, you might need to get it smogged through a local shop, and make sure you go to a shop or dealership you trust. once the vehicle passes smog then you will need to get an insurance. Most insurance if any will not give you full coverage since the vehicle has a salvage title-thats' the only downfall-other than that you take that paperwork to DMV and they will have it registered-good luck, alex
2007-01-18 17:00:52 · answer #2 · answered by oaklandr8ers24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since it has already been inspected after it was repaired, you are correct in that it does not have to be inspected again. You can go change the title just like any other car, with a bill of sell and proof of insurance. Speaking of insurance, you can only get liability, and in some cases, some insurance companies will not insure the vehicle at all. So check with your insurance company prior to the purchase. Speaking of the purchase, you will not be able to finance your purchase through any bank or credit union, so it will have to be a cash sell.
2007-01-18 16:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by rex_rrracefab 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IM PRETTY SURE U KNOW WHAT A SALVAGE CAR IS SO LOOK THIS IS THE DEAL YOU CANNOT GET FULL COVERAGE ON A SALVAGE VEHICLE ONLY LIABILITY THEY ARE LEGAL SO NO YOU DONT HAVE TO GET IT CHECKED OR ANYTHING ONLY SMOG CHECK IF IT'S TIME AND THE DMV TELLS YOU TO GET ONE AND YES ALL SALVAGE CARS CHEAP IN PRICE THEY EVEN LOOK BRAND NEW SOME CARS GET SALVAGE IF THEY WHERE CRASHED EVEN JUST A BIT SO YOU MIGHT GET LUCKY AND BUY ONE OF THOSE CARS OTHER TIMES THE CAR GETS FIXED COMPLETELY IF THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD BUT IT'S DRIVEABLE SO THE CAR IS LEGAL LIKE I SAID THE JONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE INSURANCE
2007-01-18 17:10:10 · answer #4 · answered by GIGGLES 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You would be better off contacting the DMV or going to their website, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/.
As for insurance, they will want to know if it has a salvaged title, which yours will. No big deal, they'll insure it.
2007-01-18 23:28:37 · answer #5 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go and go for it...I had a salvage honda and it lasted me well over 6 years. I live in Cali also and I am currently looking for another vehicle...so please let me know if they have any more deals for salvaged cars.
rex has really good advice...
brimama132@yahoo.com
2007-01-18 16:59:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋