The price of a new car can make anyone step back from it and consider a salvage or rebuilt title car. No matter how tempting the thought might be, it is vital to understand the risks that come with it. Your goal is to opt for a salvage title car to save money while avoiding purchasing a dud. Here are some helpful tips for you.

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Understand the word salvage

When referring to salvage title, it is a vehicle with a title that experienced damage that could vary from car to car. These damages are often from fire, flood, or light body damage from a collision which are too costly to fix. It can also mean that repair may or may not have been done. There are vehicles written off as ‘totaled’ since the repair cost or the risk of fixing it is higher than the unit’s value or the customer’s payout. Branded titles are recognized differently in each state, and several states require a rebuilt title to register a car legally.

Find a dealer you can trust

There are salvage title cars bought by someone claiming they have made repairs but cannot offer you a warranty of the work they did in their backyard. You should avoid this if you are serious about finding the right salvage car title for your unique situation. Shop around for a dealer since they can salvage and repair the car to pass the inspection. Opt for a dealer with a specialty in rebuilt title cars and has a reputation for delivering quality work. Looking at the reviews of their past customers can give you an idea of how good they are at what they do.

Learn the exact damage

The next step after choosing the dealer and checking their inventory is to find a rebuilt title car that might interest you. Make sure to look closely and see the extent of the damage. Ask for photos of the vehicle before repairs to determine where the damage is and where to check if the repairs are satisfactory thoroughly. You can also run the vehicle identification number through a car history report service. This will give you a broader understanding of each vehicle, the extent of their damage, the risks, and the potential savings you can get.

Inspect the vehicle with extra pair of eyes

Aside from your own approval, it would be best to enlist a certified mechanic’s help to look at the car to ensure that it is adequately repaired and completely safe. A skilled mechanic can perform a pre-purchase inspection at a reasonable fee. Passing the state inspection will not guarantee that the unit is in the best condition since they can’t catch what a trained mechanic could.

Make sure you can purchase the vehicle

Purchasing a salvage title car is trickier than a clean title car. It would be best if you considered the financing since there are banks that do not finance rebuilt or salvage title cars. In addition, some insurance companies will not insure these purchases, or if they will, it would be at a higher price. You should also discuss warranty policies with the dealership and expect that most of them will offer minimal warranties.

Bonus tip: Consider the resale value

A salvage title vehicle will always have a salvage or rebuilt title even if you repair it to working order. If you are still interested in purchasing a rebuilt car but are unsure what to do to get started, you can begin by looking at our inventory. We have an auto dealership in Salt Lake City and even ship our units to buyers across the country. You can rest assured that you are in good hands with us.

6 Steps to Scoring Rebuilt Title Car