How to Buy a BMW With a Salvage Title

If you are considering buying a BMW with a title that contains the notation "salvage," you should be aware that the car cannot be insured or driven on public roads until a new title is issued, even if it is in roadworthy condition. If you plan to drive the car (rather than use its parts), you should have a rebuilt title issued before you buy it.

Things You'll Need

• Certificate of title
• Vehicle Identification Number
• Repair receipts
• Application for salvage vehicle inspection
• Application for rebuilt title

Instructions

1. Locate the Vehicle Identification Number that is engraved on the car's surface. On a BMW, the VIN will be located on the left side of the dashboard or the right inner fender. Use the VIN to run an online vehicle history report to reconfirm the car's salvage status.

2. Repair the car to roadworthy condition. Make sure that the owner pays for everything, because BMWs can be particularly expensive to repair and the car is still in the owner's name. Make sure the owner keeps the repair receipts, especially for the purchase of parts, because this will be needed to apply for rebuilt title.

3. Navigate to the website maintained by the state office that issues rebuilt titles--the department of motor vehicles or similar agency usually does this. Note the address of a state-certified salvage vehicle inspector in your area, and print both a salvage vehicle inspection report form and an application for rebuilt title (called a "reconditioned title" in some states).

4. Tow the BMW to the state-certified salvage vehicle inspector for an inspection. Bring the salvage vehicle inspection report form. The inspector will fill out the form, sign it and return it to the owner.

5. Fill out the application for rebuilt title, and have the owner sign it. Mail the inspection report, the salvage title, repair receipts and the application for rebuilt title to the nearest state office that handles rebuilt titles. A rebuilt title will be mailed to the owner within few days to a few weeks depending on the state.

6. Pay the purchase price for the car and draw up a bill of sale. Sign the title and have the owner sign it and fill in the odometer reading. Present the rebuilt title along with the bill of sale and an application for new title to the state motor vehicles office; you will be required to pay a small fee. A new title will be issued in your name with the notation "rebuilt" affixed.

Tips & Warnings

• Rebuilt title requirements vary somewhat depending on which state issued the title. Check your state's agency that regulates motor vehicles for more-detailed information.

• You can be ticketed for driving a BMW on public roads before a rebuilt title is issued even if it has been repaired. Don't even drive it to the office to apply for a rebuilt title.

References

• AutohausAZ: How to Find Your Car's VIN
• South Dakota State Government: Rebuilt Title Instructions
• Car Insurance: What is a Rebuilt or Salvage Title?

Resources

• Carfax: Online Vehicle History Report
• The Unofficial DMV Guide: Rebuilt Title