is it good to buy a car with a salvage title?

Question

i would like to know if it would be good to buy a car that has a Salvage Title ? what does that mean ? why do some cars have salvage title's?

Answer 1

Man there are some bad answers here.

A salvage title is issued after an accident when the damage of the vehicle exceeds 75% of the value of the vehicle. This means the thing was pretty much totaled. Even if it was fully repaired, you never know what could go wrong with it at some point. There are so many parts and it only takes something small to go wrong...

Answer 2

There are a lot of good salvage cars out there but you have to be careful and do you're homework. Some people will very willingly sell you a hunk of junk. I would start by getting a Carfax and determining the history of the car. If it's a salvage, you have to take it down to DMV and go through a complicated inspection in order to have the vehicle issue a "rebuilt salvage" title. If it already has a rebuilt salvage title the process is no different than buying a clean titled car. However, a salvage can mean anything from a flood, theft or total loss. My husband and I have two rebuilt salvage Ford Mustangs and you'd never know it was once wrecked. The engine is sound and the body looks mint. Hope this helps, take care and good luck!

Answer 3

A salvage title represents that the car has been totaled by an insurance company at some point. The most common reason to total a vehicle is when the car has been damaged and the repairs exceed the value of the car. There are people who seek these vehicles out and repair them to a certain degree to use or sale. The quality of a salvage vehicle is always in question so any and all warranties are void.
Really my advice is know what you are getting. In other words test drive the vehicle look it over. Figure out the value of a non salvaged vehicle and compare it against the asking price of the salvaged vehicle and determine if you think it is enough of a discount. Keep in mind a salvaged vehicle will never be as new. Common problems are sticking doors, bad alignment, car doors not sealing properly, not to mention you may find more serious engine and transmission problems latter.

Answer 4

An auto rebuilder will buy wrecked cars, fix them up and sell them to guys like you who are looking for cheap wheels. They apply for a salvage title so they can sell the car after it's fixed. How much it was damaged prior to the repairs, and how well those damages were repaired are the biggest questions. Do you want to buy a car that someone says they fixed...... after it was run into a telephone pole? Or how about a car that spent several days at the bottom of a pond........ was dried out......cleaned up..... and now for sale to you. Lots of cars that were caught in the Hurricane Katrina flood have been salvage titled and offered for sale. Think they might have a few electrical problems... or engine problems??

Answer 5

I would definitely do my homework prior to purchasing a salvage vehicle. A salvage vehicle usually means it has been written off & repaired.

1. Check who did the work. Was the vehicle inspected?

2. Was the vehicle stolen or stolen parts used to repair?

3. Is the VIN # correct (does it have the correct rivets holding it to the body?[below the windshield])

4. How badly damaged was the vehicle?

5. How safe is it?

6. Was there damage to the transmission or engine?

7. Have the air bags been replaced?

8. Are there any liens registered?

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Answer 6

it means its been in a accident thats why its so cheap, DONT BUY IT DONT BUY IT! u never know wha kind of problems salvage cars can have , they may have fixed the body but the engine or somethhing else major will give u problems later on

Answer 7

these cars have been involved in a accident and totaled by the insurance company then rebuilt accordingly...if it passes the state statute it is given a salvage title...

Answer 8

Depends on what your purpose is. If all you want is temporary transportation, it might be okay. But you're rolling the dice. If it's stolen, it can be taken from you without compensation if the owner is discovered. If it's cobbled together from pieces, it could have major structural integrity issues. Is the risk worth the low price? Only you can judge.

Answer 9

No, it could mean the car is stolen, was in a flood, or is pieces together from parts of cars that were wrecked.

Answer 10

one mans trash is another mans treasure