How to Get the History on a Salvage Title

Totaled cars are sometimes repaired, then assigned a salvage title.

Many state DMV offices do not provide a title history for vehicles. In the case of a salvage title, however, you shouldn't buy without checking the title history. A salvage title belongs to a car that was once declared "totaled" by an insurance company, usually when the cost to repair the vehicle reached about 75 percent of the overall value. In these instances some people might still try to repair the vehicles. Those that are repaired are issued a salvage, called "branded" in some states, title.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle Identification Number

Instructions

1. Call your local DMV and ask if it offers a title check history service. Likely, the answer you'll get is, "No," and the representative will direct you to an online vendor. Occasionally, however, the DMV may be able to provide a limited title check for a small fee.

2. Visit an online vendor. Two of these vendors include CARFAX and AutoCheck. You can find many others online. The best way to find a trusted service is to call your local DMV and ask the representative what service they recommend.

3. Insert the car's VIN, vehicle identification number, into the online service tool. The VIN can be found either on the title or on the dash of the car on the driver's side. If you don't know the VIN and don't have the title, the person who does should give it to you. However, no law requires him to give you the number. Alternatively, no law keeps him from giving you the number.

4. Pay the online fee. All online vendors will accept a credit or debit card, which is why it's safer to use the agency that the DMV recommends. After paying the fee you'll need to wait a number of days or weeks for a report, depending on the vendor you use. This should give you a complete history of the salvage title.

References

• CARFAX: Salvage Titles
• Utah DMV: Salvage Vehicles and Branded Titles
• AutoCheck: Title Brands - Salvage