Is it possible to get the salvage status removed from a title? Or is this something that will live with the car's vin for the rest of it's life?

Joker

 

If I remember right--you have to save all receipts that was used to fix or repair parts--then the state police has to inspect it--and if all goes well a new title would be issued by them. But I think it would be traceable--the salvage title that is--even tho it would be clean(title).

 

The salvage title is there for a reason, and it can't be removed. Often after a car is repaired, it's issued a "rebuilt" title, but it's really no different. It's there to protect the buyer. How would you like to pay top dollar for a car only to find out it was totalled and repaired?

 

It depends on what state you live in. Here in Wisconsin it's on there forever. However, in Minnesota it's not required to be on the title at all. Which is why we have alot of used car dealerships on the road between La Crosse, WI and La Crescent, MN. all in Minnesota!

 

Salvage titles are tricky. A car is issued a "salvage" title if an insurance company owns it. In other words if they paid a full settlement to the policy holder and it becomes their property. When they sell it.... it must be branded with "salvage" or other similar headings.

HOWEVER, this doesn't mean the car was wrecked, or seriously wrecked. Hail damage can total a car easily. Given the time and means you can easily repair this and have a "like new" car with a new paint job but still have a salvage title.

On a third gen a shelled motor or shot tranny can actually total these cars.

When a car is wrecked and the insurance company takes possession the car is usually in a kind of "limbo". It came to them with current registration and a good title. They don't want to "re-title" or register the car so they are usually issued a kind of receipt called a salvage certificate. If the car is resold and then rebuilt it goes through an inspection (for stolen parts) and providing you show receipts for the parts used in the rebuild you can re-register and title the car.

It will change from salvage certificate to salvage title. It is a "clear" title but it is considered "branded"........... forever. (legally that is).

 

If you get a car with a salvage title, you're in it for the long haul, as such a title will get you nothing as far as a trade-in is concerned.

 

OK... so what i'm getting is that any car with Salvage on the title is worth what ever i feel its worth to myself, but for anything official its pretty much tainted.

Seems kinda sad that the Blue Book value is so low for these cars... making it easier for the insurance companies to total them off even though they might not have 'total' damage. Guess thats just another one of lifes lessons.

I still think insurance is a product of the devil.

Thanks for the info guys.

Joker

 

My car is a salvage (some lite flood damage original motor had water in the block). The person i bought the car from did a really good job in restoring the whole car. Brand new suspension and all ( car is really tight). The car has no rust and is in prime condition. I have completely gone over the car and cant find any problems ie (rust, dents etc..) I am about to file for the paper work for a salavage title. (NYC) THe title i know would be branded with Salvage/Rebuilt but i dont care. When the car is finished it gonna be one sick @$$Mothaf---er!! SO WATCH OUT!!


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A coupla' more pointless points to ponder....

Most third gen car years are screwed anyway when it comes to trade in or value, especially to insurance settlements.

Case in point: 1986 Trans Am with 100,000 Miles

NADA Retail $ 2875.00
Bank Loan $ 1550.00
Trade In $ 1700.00

Typically a salvage title reduces the value from 20%(my bank) to up to 50% (Kelley Blue Book).

So there are a lot of transactions going on with third gens where the book has been "thrown out" and it's just a matter of what 2 people feel something is worth.

The best third gen I ever had was a salvage title 85 Firebird SE. A one owner car that some kids in Phoenix stole and took it for a joy ride jumped a curb and shelled the tranny. GM quote for a new tranny totalled the car. The owner knew the car so he bought it back from the insurance company for a minimal amount and used the remaining settlement to put in a rebuilt tranny, rebuild the engine, put in a new radiator and A/C compressor.

I bought the car and it was solid, ran well, never a problem and was a tight handler. In this case the salvage title was a blessing to me. I bought the car for $1700.00. Drove it two years and sold it for $2500.00. I put 500 in tires and 70 in a battery and 10 in a CTS in that two years.

You absolutely MUST find the details as to why the car was totalled and carries a branded title. But it may be as good a deal as I got.

 

this bird will carry a salvage title now for the rest of it's life,sure do miss it!

 

fix it up, save recipets & re title it in your state.. some states leave the salvale on it.. if yours does.. title it in oklahoma.. i know for a fact that it goes away never to be know again...(cept for carfax)

 

Now let me scare the "hell" outta' ya'.

This truck has a CLEAR title:

<img src=http://www.gmtips.com/ultra-works/main/dox/bodyshop/clear-title.jpg>

This is a real good example of why what the title says has to be taken with a grain of salt.

I found this on Ebay recently advertised with a clear title. The seller was also bragging that the odometer was still good and had low miles......... in other words.......... a scam just waiting to happen.

 

I think the odometer may be the only good part on that POS:sillylol:

 

A few years back I bought a 95 Formula Convertable, it looked really good, reasonably straight, and only had 9000 miles. When I bought the car it came with a Salvage title (There red or orange here in MI.)

I later found some glass on the floor under the seats, etc. I figure the car was a Theft recovery and the time of 30 days had expired so the Ins company payed off the owner.

When I bought the car I asked a friend who rebuilds totaled all the time. He gave me this information:

When buying a car there are really 3 BIG things that lower the value of the car substanitally.

TITLE: Salvage or Clean
CONDITION: How does it look, drive etc.
MILES: The higher the worse.

In essence if you have more than one of these issues then the car really takes a dive in value. But if you have only one the car will still hold some value, figure that a Good condition Salvage titled car will get about loan value of the car MAX.

Granted, to some a Salvage Title means No way, but to some it does not matter. Its like High Miles, I have no problem with a 100K car, I can fix anything so I do not care. But if a car really looks bad, I will not give it a second look unless it is an easy repair. It really depends on the individual.

My 95 Formula convertable I sold for about 75% of the KBB value, but I made a few bucks on it, and the new owner got a good deal too, everyone was happy...

John