Salvage to rebuilt title

[rhanna]

Does anyone have experience buying a salvage titled jeep and obtaining a rebuilt title?
I'm looking at some of the jeep online that have salvage title and it doesn't seem like there is much wrong other than a bent fender lets say. Is it as easy as replacing the fender, documenting the work and submitting the paperwork. Assuming a reasonable state and not California.

 

[BC Moto]

In california you car can have a salvage title and still be operated. Some other state a salvage title is not allowed. You then have to get it fixed and then inspected by some authorities like chp who do brake and lamp inspections. Some of the vehicles that get salvage title are still good cars and only get a salvage title due to the amount needed to fix. Alot of others cars in commiefornia get salvaged because it was stripped completely

 

[Jeff Lundberg]

Does anyone have experience buying a salvage titled jeep and obtaining a rebuilt title?
I'm looking at some of the jeep online that have salvage title and it doesn't seem like there is much wrong other than a bent fender lets say. Is it as easy as replacing the fender, documenting the work and submitting the paperwork. Assuming a reasonable state and not California.

In Virginia, you make an appointment for an inspection with the DMV for which there's a $125 fee. You need to show proof of current state inspection, and any receipts for parts. If it passes, you are issued a REBUILT title.

 

[B00mb00m]

My Jeep was salvage purchased from auction. In WA you go to state patrol and you have to have receipts for all parts that you replaced to show you didn’t use stolen parts. They inspect then issue a new title that is rebuilt and bobs your uncle. It can’t look wrecked either, you have to fix everything.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Does anyone have experience buying a salvage titled jeep and obtaining a rebuilt title?
I'm looking at some of the jeep online that have salvage title and it doesn't seem like there is much wrong other than a bent fender lets say. Is it as easy as replacing the fender, documenting the work and submitting the paperwork. Assuming a reasonable state and not California.

Might be worth it to check with your insurance before grabbing it. Often it’s more expensive and good luck if even a fender bender happens and you hope it gets repaired.

I would also check the value of it according to the bluebook/NADA.

The money you put in it to fix it might not be worth the total vehicle value.

I highly doubt a bent, crumpled fender totaled it, there’s more there.

Cosmetically it was the only exterior thing wrong in my last Jeep crash; a wrinkled right front fender. Ending up needing a frame, (visible wrinkle) a transfer case housing that was shattered, and a new axle that was bent just enough not to notice but def bent when behind the wheel driving down the road. It ended up totaled as the repair cost was more than the value of the Jeep.

 

[dmcgill3]

My jeep was totaled in and accident, I bought it back with salvage title. Once I completed the rebuild I had to take my receipts for parts and since I done the work myself a spreadsheet with work hours estimate on it to the DMV and get an inspection. After that I waited about 6 weeks for the new repair title to come in the mail. This was in Kentucky I am sure each state is very different.

 

[Fouledplugs]

My jeep was totaled in and accident, I bought it back with salvage title. Once I completed the rebuild I had to take my receipts for parts and since I done the work myself a spreadsheet with work hours estimate on it to the DMV and get an inspection. After that I waited about 6 weeks for the new repair title to come in the mail. This was in Kentucky I am sure each state is very different.

Did your insurance policy change at all?

 

[Fouledplugs]

It can’t look wrecked either, you have to fix everything.

I like that

 

[dmcgill3]

Did your insurance policy change at all?

No, I still have full coverage and the other party was at fault in the accident, so my insurance didn't change. Now I am certain the value of the jeep would definitely be harder to come to an agreement on now with the repair title.

 

[Fouledplugs]

No, I still have full coverage and the other party was at fault in the accident, so my insurance didn't change. Now I am certain the value of the jeep would definitely be harder to come to an agreement on now with the repair title.

Yea seems like you’re paying for coverage for the value before it was totaled. But maybe the overpayment may give you some leverage if something was to ever happen and a claim needed to be made. Hoping that doesn't happen, hate seeing TJ’s/LJ’s wrecked.

 

[SPECWAR]

I have a salvaged/rebuilt Ohio title. No issues with State Farm with full coverage.
My 06 is exceptionally clean, and straight, and I don’t understand the salvaged/rebuilt paranoia here.
I suppose everyone is married to a virgin too😏.

 

[AndyG]

I have a salvaged/rebuilt Ohio title. No issues with State Farm with full coverage.
My 06 is exceptionally clean, and straight, and I don’t understand the salvaged/rebuilt paranoia here.
I suppose everyone is married to a virgin too😏.

I grew up around auto body and it is a funny stigma-

The first thing you do is think categorically we’re talking about vehicles with a frame- not creamed unibodies-

If the frame has no serious damage the vehicle is worthy of consideration for somebody that is not afraid of a salvage title-

And to make it even a little bit sweeter a TJ will be totaled by an insurance adjuster faster than a loose track bar causes death wobble- I think the biggest reason for that is the fact that they are out of production and they’re not astronomically expensive coupled with the insurance adjuster’s concern of expensive 4 wheel drive parts- A good example is a transfer case gets damaged pretty quick in a front endcollision if the driveshaft is driven into it.

you have to know the laws in your state- For me it is about a mindset. I don’t I have to have every jeep to have a perfect title at the same time I don’t always have to buy a salvage title (have had 2 tjs and other rebuilds)...It just gets down to being a good value or not to me - The Auto Rubicon I found with 70,000 miles and $9800 that was ready to go was astounding. I enjoyed every minute of having it.

 

[dmcgill3]

If I recall correctly the biggest expense that led to mine being totaled was the airbags being deployed and the front axle being possibly bent. The airbags I was able to buy as a pair with the control module from a jeep junkyard for a quarter of the price of one new factory airbag, and the front axle I swapped in a HP30 since I was wanting to regear and build it up anyway, for way less than the repair shop quoted.

 

[Mike_H]

I repaired a totaled car that I bought back from insurance once. My brother smucked a deer and we needed a bumper skin, headlights, grill and a hood. Thankfully it didn't move the rad core. In Michigan, the car was old enough that they didn't bother with the SalvageTitle, so when I sold it, it had the original green title

 

[bucky]

Did you google Tennessee Salvage Title? The government web site spells it all out.
My 89 YJ is a salvaged title. Bought it that way in 91. I transferred title and registration to Az because it would not pass smog 15 or so years ago. There were no issues with the transfer. My insurance company will only do liability coverage.

 

[Fouledplugs]

I have a salvaged/rebuilt Ohio title. No issues with State Farm with full coverage.
My 06 is exceptionally clean, and straight, and I don’t understand the salvaged/rebuilt paranoia here.

I guess it comes down to buying a vehicle that’s been through a flood or a collision that’s caused so much damage that the repair carries more cost than the total vehicle worth, you’re upside down at some point.

Buy a salvage vehicle and repair it right and you may end up spending more that it’s worth. Which doesn't make much sense based on the fact that the repairs do not increase it’s value. of course cost can be cut by buying cheaper aftermarket parts from overseas or unknown good/working parts from a donor vehicle like used seat belts, airbags, and electrical parts, etc

And what I hear most is something to the nature of, “the insurance totaled it but it was just the bumper, or just the door, or just a fender.” I find it hard to believe insurance companies are paying for a vehicle and not a fender replacement when given the choice.

Could have something to do with the fact that a repair that replicates OEM fit, finish, and quality just takes a whole lot of time and labor and that adds up quick right after the cost of parts.

suppose everyone is married to a virgin too😏.

Not everyone wants to settle down with the pretty meth head who used to walk the streets every night getting her drug money from “Johns.”

 

[Fouledplugs]

Curious, anyone work in banking/lending? Why do salvage vehicles have such a black eye that the execs set precedent to refuse to finance a lot of them?

 

[SPECWAR]

I guess it comes down to buying a vehicle that’s been through a flood or a collision that’s caused so much damage that the repair carries more cost than the total vehicle worth, you’re upside down at some point.

Buy a salvage vehicle and repair it right and you may end up spending more that it’s worth. Which doesn't make much sense based on the fact that the repairs do not increase it’s value. of course cost can be cut by buying cheaper aftermarket parts from overseas or unknown good/working parts from a donor vehicle like used seat belts, airbags, and electrical parts, etc

And what I hear most is something to the nature of, “the insurance totaled it but it was just the bumper, or just the door, or just a fender.” I find it hard to believe insurance companies are paying for a vehicle and not a fender replacement when given the choice.

Could have something to do with the fact that a repair that replicates OEM fit, finish, and quality just takes a whole lot of time and labor and that adds up quick right after the cost of parts.



Not everyone wants to settle down with the pretty meth head who used to walk the streets every night getting her drug money from “Johns.”

But used is used, right??

 

[bucky]

A blown airbag or seat restraints will cause most if not all insurance companies to total a vehicle. Watch out for the crooks that just put a resistor in the place of an air bag or activated seat restraints to clear any codes.
My 89 YJ was rolled by its teenage driver 1 month after she got it. It was a soft roll and just the hood and front grill were damaged. She was afraid to drive it again and had it totaled by the insurance. A friend of mine had an in with the insurance company so he knew the history. I bought it from him when he upgraded to a salvaged Cherokee. In 31 yrs I’ve had no issues because it was a salvage vehicle. Here in Ca we can have our insurance total a vehicle for almost any amount of damage.
I do not finance toys so I can’t speak about financing a salvage vehicle.

 

[NskLJ]

I grew up around auto body and it is a funny stigma-

The first thing you do is think categorically we’re talking about vehicles with a frame- not creamed unibodies-

If the frame has no serious damage the vehicle is worthy of consideration for somebody that is not afraid of a salvage title-

And to make it even a little bit sweeter a TJ will be totaled by an insurance adjuster faster than a loose track bar causes death wobble- I think the biggest reason for that is the fact that they are out of production and they’re not astronomically expensive coupled with the insurance adjuster’s concern of expensive 4 wheel drive parts- A good example is a transfer case gets damaged pretty quick in a front endcollision if the driveshaft is driven into it.

you have to know the laws in your state- For me it is about a mindset. I don’t I have to have every jeep to have a perfect title at the same time I don’t always have to buy a salvage title (have had 2 tjs and other rebuilds)...It just gets down to being a good value or not to me - The Auto Rubicon I found with 70,000 miles and $9800 that was ready to go was astounding. I enjoyed every minute of having it.

I did all the frame swaps for the body shop when I work at a dealer. I spoke with the owner of the body shop and he said a lot of adjuster will total a vehicle if it nears anywhere near the value for fear of “hidden damage” like a bent frame that wasn’t caught during initial inspection. I think shops also have reputation of lowballing to get the job then hitting insurance with the upswell once hey are into it.
One other thing our parts department would complain about was body shops ordering every little bracket then straightening them and returning the new ones to increase profit.
When I was looking for my LJ I came upon a couple salvage titles and one was just the lower control arm bracket that got damaged. Adjuster didn’t want to mess with the frame. Another one the gas tank got punctured and it was totaled. These pm’s were about 3000-4000 less then non salvage ones at the time.