Why do so many people say that buying a vehicle with a salvage title is so bad?

Question

I want to buy a Salvage Tile Nissan Murano, but many people assert that, unless you are in expert in salvage vehicles, DON'T purchase a salvage car? What is so bad about a car with a salvage title when the buyer is very careful? To me, a salvage titled car is nearly half price..so why not purchase one without errors?
Thank You

Answer 1

I purchased a 93' Mazda 626 with a Rebuilt Title. My car was in an accident and sold to a dealer who then repaired it and sold it. It was sold for 1,000 2 summers ago. I purchased it at 500. However I took it to a reputable mechanic to take a look at and give me an estimated expectancy of the vehicle. With no repairs 2 years with minor repairs a LOT of time he said. So I have done minor repairs on it and had it for 1 year no problem what so ever with the car. Personally if you plan to Juice the car for all its got I say go for it. But if you plan to resell it don't buy it. Find out why it was salvaged and then take it to a good mechanic and if there is nothing wrong with the car go for it

Answer 2

Depends what you call "careful".

If your idea of careful buying is running a CarFax, then never buy a used car. :-b

If your idea of careful is asking the owner WHY it's a salvage title, then if the reason is acceptable, crawling under the car looking for evidence of whether that's accurate, and then taking it to a good mechanic for a professional version of that same inspection... then yeah, go for it.

On a salvage title it's ALL about the "why". Flood damaged car, don't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Wreck damaged car, it all depends on how well it was fixed!

A salvage title happens when an insurance company inspects a car, and finds the cost to repair exceeds the cost to replace with a comparable used car. For used car prices they use the "blue book". For repair prices, they use a top-rated commercial shop, using factory approved repair methods and always, brand new parts. (insurance won't pay for used parts, because that causes cars to be stolen to fill the parts orders.)

Obviously you can fix a car a lot cheaper than that. That's why it's possible to have a salvage title car that's been properly repaired. However, salvage title cars can also be IMPROPERLY repaired, or they can be given feeble attempts to repair a situation that is truly hopeless.

For instance, flood-damaged cars can be cosmetically cleaned up so they look OK to a casual inspection, but if a car has been underwater, the electrical system is totally corroded. Since modern engines utterly rely on complex electronics, that car will be nothing but trouble. Post-Katrina, there have been a lot of those.

Answer 3

I own an 03 PT Cruiser with a salvage title. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this car, in fact it looks better than new. A huge oak fell on this car, and I opted to rebuild it when the insurance co totalled it. First thing you need to do is find out who did the repairs, is it a reputable shop? They may be able to give you paperwork as to what repairs were done. Be prepared to keep this vehicle a long time as in most states one cannot get a loan on a salvage titled vehicle. Makes it harder to sell down the road. But if your intention is to drive it until it dies, then buy the vehicle. My original book on my Turbo is 14k, but with the salvage it is half. Dealerships don't want them for trade either. If you trust the repairs were done correctly and have the cash, go for it! Candy

Answer 4

I some states a salvage title means it's only a parts car, and can never to registered for road use. In some states it can be, but only after an inspection which can be costly. A salvage title can be hard to insure, and the resale value is also bad.

Salvage means "This car wasn't worth fixing" basically. Are you knowledgeable enough to know the frame is okay? Are there hidden problems?

Answer 5

they are wrong a salvage car is a car that was in a accident and was totaled out by the insurance company and then purchased by a dealer and fix up to run again most salvage are fine take it to a collision shop and have them look it over before you buy it mine is great and so is my friends and her friend so you do pay less for it and how is the track record of the dealer who is selling it

Answer 6

people just wants a peace of mind... thats exactly why the reason Hyundai does not flood the road even they offers 10yr/10k miles waranty. While the mediocre customer service Toyota did the opposite.
Salvaged title isnt that bad, pay a hundred or two for a mechanic to inspect them for you again, and get an estimate for some fix. It doesn't really matter to me. since the price is halfed. ppl just worried something is broken inside.
But, you MUST inspect them again, because some ppl just put the part together to make it look good after an accident, but the inside is no good.

Answer 7

no one can sell a salvage car ,,,but they can sell a rebuilt ,,,and in order to make it rebuilt it has to go to the secretary of state for a safety inspection ,,,and if the car pass that inspection they will make it rebuilt and issue a rebuilt title ,,,,know any car it could be involute in accident and most off the time they never get report it to the insurance because they didn't have any ,,,,,as long as u pay 35% less off the retail value off the car then u should be fine when u turn around and try to sell it ,,,,,,,,but if the car not fixed u should pay 50% off the value,,,,,,,rebuilt is a great deal for someone is looking to buy a newer car wit less miles and less price ,,,,,,we sell them every day and ppl is happy with them

Answer 8

There is usually something fundamentally wrong with the vehicle that would be very costly to fix, which probably requires taking it back to the dealer which is not going to be cheap.