How to Value a Reconstructed Car

A reconstructed car, such as the one pictured, is assessed and valued by insurance companies and a state's DMV.

Reconstructed cars are vehicles that have gone through extensive repairs before being offered on the market. Car mechanics or individual sellers are able to rebuild vehicles and sell them. The newly reconstructed cars may have been in accidents, from fender benders to total wrecks. Although many mechanics and individual sellers do an excellent job reconstructing these vehicles, there are certain things that you, as the consumer, should look for to determine the value.

Instructions

1. Read the reconstructed title, which is issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The title explains the damage inflicted on the car and all repairs made to the car. The title will explain the car's history.

2. Have an inspector look over the vehicle. It might cost time and money, but it is worth having a state inspector look at the vehicle carefully. Most states mandate some level of inspection before the seller can officially put the car on the market. However, if you are test-driving the vehicle, you can take the car to an auto mechanic or car inspector for added insight.

3. Contact your insurance company. Your insurance company can assess the market price of a vehicle of the same make and model and can compare the price of the reconstructed vehicle to the amount of repairs the car needed. You can then decide if the car is undervalued or overvalued based upon the reconstruction costs.

Tips & Warnings

• A salvage car technically is in the same category as reconstructed car, but the state gives the seller a salvage title. This is because the car is a seized, unclaimed or impounded vehicle that became the possession of a salvage or junk yard. A salvage yard might not reconstruct or refurnish the vehicle if it deems the car suitable as is.

References

• Autos: 4 Things to Know about a Rebuilt Car Title
• Carfax: Glossary: Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title