Thread:

Would you buy a vehicle with a restored salvage title?

I have the opportunity to go out of state in order to purchase a vehicle in AZ that has a restored salvage title.

I have already spoken to the bank and to my insurance who would both be willing to go forward on the deal.

Before I purchase the vehicle, I will have a mechanic look at it for engine and body integrity.

So the question is...would you buy the vehicle??

I would but I would make sure I have a full understanding of the vehicle prior to purchase. You have to realize that it takes a special person with an understanding quality to purchase such a vehicle so when you go to sell it, it can be difficult if it's not a deal. If it's a car that you plan on driving into the ground, then go for it and just make sure you're purchasing it at a salvage title price.

I would add, I buy, repair and sell these often, i take pics of the damage and repair. If you can show what was damaged and that it was repaired correctly and completely then its a better deal. You can also pull a carfax type report and see if it has been damaged more than once etc. And as the others said the price should be much less than a comparable clean titled car. These are harder to sell, I sell mine to people that like a great deal or a much better deal than they could otherwise afford. Often i get these newer cars and repair them for half the retail value so it can be a big savings and only they know the car was damaged and was a deal...although stay away from water damage cars and I dont like severely damaged bent frame vehicles.

if you can post the vehicle info year make etc and what was the damage and whats the price, that way we could give you more accurate opinions..

A salvage title doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle was physically totaled, it can mean that the cost of repair was more that the insured worth.

We had a '93 Camry that got dented in the front fender...not really that bad at all.

The insurance company "totaled" it, we cash it out and fixed it, and had to get a salvaged title.
There was nothing wrong with the car at all after it was repaired, it was all cosmetic.

Have it checked out and make sure you understand exactly why it has a salvage title.

Originally Posted by thatguy

A salvage title doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle was physically totaled, it can mean that the cost of repair was more that the insured worth.

We had a '93 Camry that got dented in the front fender...not really that bad at all.

The insurance company "totaled" it, we cash it out and fixed it, and had to get a salvaged title.
There was nothing wrong with the car at all after it was repaired, it was all cosmetic.

Have it checked out and make sure you understand exactly why it has a salvage title.

Carfax always... IMHO... They aren't perfect but it's better than simply tossing the dice with NO info...

It all depends on why it was totaled and what you intend to use it for. My last Challenger was totaled. There wasn't a search on it, but it was under water so totaled it.

my F350 is a slavage tittle. i have owned it for 4 years and i have not had a problem with the truck at all.

If it was quality work and the frame is straight. then i would buy another salvage title car.

Originally Posted by Sleek Freak

Showrigger's info. is dead on.

Well, here goes...it's a 2005 Acura RL with 73,000 miles, they want $11,000 for it and bank says it would be worth $19,000 if it weren't for the salvage title. The dealer says no frame damage and that it was the rear passenger door that was damaged...I would still take it to a mechanic and pull a car fax.

Originally Posted by NMJetGirl

Well, here goes...it's a 2005 Acura RL with 73,000 miles, they want $11,000 for it and bank says it would be worth $19,000 if it weren't for the salvage title. The dealer says no frame damage and that it was the rear passenger door that was damaged...I would still take it to a mechanic and pull a car fax.

Besides taking it to a mechanic I would also have it looked at by a reputable alignment shop to make sure the frame is straight.
I would also have an experienced body man take a look to see if it was repaired properly.

Buying a salvage title car requires much more homework to protect yourself. As others have said, resale will be a lot more difficult.

Having said that, I wouldn't buy a salvage title car myself. I think sellers ask way too much for them, more in line with higher mile clean title examples.

I bought a 1983 Mazda RX7 many years ago (1985) at an insurance auction. It was a theft recovery and came with a salvage title. The car had no interior, engine, trans or wheels. I bought everything at a local RX7 salvage and had my buddy that owned a auto body shop do all the work for me including repainting the car. I bought the car for $1500 and paid another $1000-1500 for everything to get it running and drive-able. The only issue I had was that every time I was pulled over by the LEO's in that car they completely went over everything with the car including VIN checking the engine and checking to make sure all the lights and horns worked. It was a royal pain in the ass thats for sure.

On that note: I would only buy a salvage titled car if I knew it was only a theft recovery. WAy too many short cuts that can be done on a car that was involved in a major crash.

I also buy and rebuild cars, but when a dealer is selling one kinda sends up a red flag, most likely they took it in on trade and have no idea what made it a total, but i doubt a rear door would total it unless it was center punched in the side which case i would pass on it. As has been said before do a carfax report, or better yet have them run the report on their dime and see what their reaction is, that will tell you a lot!

Also i have never had any problems getting full coverage on a salvage title car, maybe some states are different but in Ca. no problem