How to Check for a Salvage Title

A salvage title may indicate that your car was once in a serious accident.

A salvage title is a special designation added to a car's title to warn buyers of damage previously done to the car, according to the experts at Edmunds. Most states require a car to have a salvage title when it has been totaled, which is usually when the cost to repair the vehicle is at least 75 percent of the car's total value. Some states also require salvage titles for recovered stolen vehicles. It's important to know if a car you are about to purchase has a clean title, or has a salvage title and may have been totaled in the past.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle VIN number
• Title

Instructions

1. Ask the seller about the status of the title. In many states sellers are required to tell buyers if the vehicle has a salvage title, according to the experts at CarFax. If they are not required to tell you or you think they're lying about the status of the title, avoid doing business with them.

2. Call your local DMV or title office and ask about the distinguishing marks and phrases that must appear on a salvage title. All states require some form of notification to be printed on the title itself. Some states even print salvaged titles on a different color paper than the usual.

3. Examine the title. Look for words like reconditioned, junked, totaled or salvaged. CarFax states that these words are used to indicate cars had suffered heavy damage, or had been stolen in the past.

4. Order a car history report. There are a number of online services offering a full report of all accidents, owners, title transfers, and other important information about a vehicle's past. These reports can be ordered with the car's VIN number.

5. Look for signs of a hidden salvage title. According to Edmunds, some car dealers will move a car to a state with lesser salvaging requirements, and have a normal title issued. If the car was sold in another state then immediately moved back into your state, the car may have had a salvage title at one point.

Tips & Warnings

• Salvage title vehicles are often much less expensive, but also have a low resale value. If you find a salvage title car that you feel has been repaired properly, also consider that it is unlikely you'll be able to sell the car for a fair price.

• If you suspect a car's title may have been altered, bring it to a DMV office or title office. They will be able to spot any signs of forgery or removal of information.

• Do not purchase a car with a salvage title without having it fully inspected by a professional. A mechanic will often be able to tell if the car wasn't fully repaired, which can be dangerous and lead to costly repairs out of your pocket.

References

• CarFax: Salvage Titles and Salvage Title Cars
• Edmunds: Program Cars, Rental Cars, and Salvage Titles