How to Buy an Auto With a Salvage Title

Salvage vehicles do not come with a manufacturer warranty.

Automobiles that are declared salvage vehicles by insurance companies are autos which have become severely damaged beyond repair or would take a great amount of money to repair properly. Insurance companies often sell the salvage vehicles to dealers by way of auto auctions and each auto comes with a salvage title. Purchasing a used car with a clean title is a risk in itself, but buying an automobile with a salvage title takes research in order to take the risk out of buying a salvage auto.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle History Report

Instructions

1. Request a CARFAX report or auto history report from the seller or dealer Salvage autos with titles that are listed as salvage have been damaged to the point where the insurance companies have deemed the vehicle a salvage vehicle.

2. Pay cash for the vehicle. Make sure you have enough funds to pay for the entire amount of the salvage auto. Finance companies will not approve any loans for an auto with a salvage title.

3. Obtain a license and registration for your salvage vehicle. Your vehicle must pass state-mandated inspections in order to obtain the proper documentation to be on the road. Check with your state's Department of Transportation website to find out more information.

Tips & Warnings

• Repairs on salvage autos can be performed improperly or with non-manufacture parts. Always obtain a vehicle history report before purchasing an automobile with a salvage title.

References

• Autos: How to Buy a Salvage Title Vehicle

Resources

• CARFAX