DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Help with Rebuilt Titled Cars

Does anyone have any exp dealing with rebuilt titles? I have noticed you can get a great bargain if you buy a rebuilt title compared to an original and was just wondering what the drawbacks of buying rebuilt?

I know being rebuilt means its been in an accident, flood damage, repo, or other various things but did not know how if its been checked out by the State Highway Patrol and they deemed it road worthy with a rebuilt title why does this effect the value so much?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated ?

this should help
http://usedcars.about.com/od/safetyratings/a/SalvageTitle.htm

Get it inspected by someone you trust before you put a penny on it ..... and don't pay more than 30-50% of book if you buy it. (depending on how hot the model is, and how well the work was done, and what other, undamaged vehicles sell for compared to book value)

Sometimes a vehicle can be totaled in a hailstorm, or other event that leaves only cosmetic damage. Other times it can be major structural damage deemed too serious to have fixed. Carfax should be able to tell you which is which based off the VIN.

You will probably have one hell of a time financing a salvage title vehicle, and will probably either have to pay cash outright, or finance it through a higher interest finance company. (if they are even financing salvage titles anymore) Further, you will have an even harder time selling it when you want to do so. It will take you at least 2-3 times as long to sell a "nice" salvage vehicle as it would to sell a high mileage car with some modest damage. Many dealerships won't even take a vehicle with a salvage title in on trade.

Also, keep in mind that salvage vehicles are often rebuilt using the absolute cheapest aftermarket products. Don't expect 2 sided galvanized steel on exterior body panels. You may see premature rust, and other problems, due to the quality of the replacement parts used.

Personally, I wouldn't touch a vehicle with a salvage title unless I could get it for next to nothing, and it was all there and checked out. I am talking no more than a thousand ...... not thousands of dollars.

My advice from years in the auto business. Take it for what it's worth.

Thanks for your thoughts guys I always appreciate coming here to get some answers!

Run away from it most of those cars are nothing but headaches. I have been in the business for over 27 years and I wouldn't let anybody in my family buy one.

Ive read there may be issues with insuring that type of vehicle also. But I have no first hand experience.

Carfax is a joke. A stupid waste of money joke.

And the commercials make me want to throw a brick through the screen.

Carfax is a tool. Like any other tool, it has its strengths and weaknesses.

It certainly can be useful.