Diagnosing Automotive Problems

If you've been looking to buy a used car, one of the things you might be noticing in some sale listings is a reference to a salvage title. For drivers who have never purchased a used car with a salvage title before, it can be a little bit confusing. In fact, salvage titles can pose a unique set of challenges for car buyers. Here are a few things that you should know in advance before you settle on buying a car with a salvage title.

What Exactly Is A Salvage Title?

Salvage titles are a specialty car title. They are issued to cars that have been declared by an insurance company to be a total loss. This usually comes following a claim filed due to any kind of accident, whether it's a flood, a tree falling on the car, or even a single-car collision. To declare a car as totaled, it must have sustained damage that will cost more than 50 percent of its actual value to repair. So, keep in mind that any car that's been awarded a salvage title has been heavily damaged in some way.

How Does It Hit The Market If It Was Totaled?

Sometimes, when a car is totaled, the owner or an auction buyer will take possession of the car after the claim has been settled. Once the insurance company pays out on the car, the title they give the new owner has to reflect the condition of the car. Therefore, they issue a salvage title that shows that the car was salvaged from being disposed of. In some states, the salvage title is only available after the car has been repaired to the requirements of your local government.

What Should You Know About Buying A Salvage Title Car?

If you want to buy a car with a salvage title, there are a few things that you need to consider. Each of these things will play a factor in whether or not the car is worth your investment.

1. Ask What The Damage Was: You have to know exactly how the car was damaged before you can make a decision about purchasing it. The more you know about the damage that was sustained, the easier it will be to determine if the car is safe to drive.

2. Know Who Did The Repairs: Ask the seller about how the repairs were done. You need to know exactly who did the work so that you can confirm whether or not the repairs were done safely. Otherwise, you risk driving a car that wasn't properly repaired, that was repaired with substandard parts, or that was repaired by someone who doesn't have the expertise to do it right.

3. Get A History Report: Before you buy the car and apply for the new title, make sure you do a full history report. The vehicle history reports detail every sale, every insurance claim, and any other public records. This report is important, because it helps you identify what other issues there may be.

4. Have The Car Inspected: Before buying any salvage title vehicle, you should have the car inspected by your mechanic. He or she can go through the entire vehicle to make sure that any repairs were done correctly and all of the parts are safe. They can also spot any additional issues that may not have been flagged.

5. Make Sure You Can Insure It: In some states, you can't register or insure a car with a salvage title even after the car has been repaired. Check with your local DMV and insurance carrier to make sure that the salvage title isn't going to be a hindrance to your registration and insurance.