How to Buy a Salvaged Title

Buying a salvaged title vehicle can be a risky venture, but with some effort and research on your part, you can ensure that you are not only getting an excellent deal, but a reliable vehicle as well. Aside from saving money, purchasing salvage vehicles is a form of recycling, as you are reusing cars otherwise meant for the junkyard.

Instructions

How to Buy a Salvaged Title

1

Verify that you are getting a deal. Don't consider any salvage vehicles that aren't more than 60 percent off the Blue Book value. Keep in mind that no matter how good the deal is, you are taking a risk buying a salvaged vehicle, so the benefits need to outweigh the potential downfalls.

2

Research the repair shop because many salvage title repairs are notorious for being of sub-par quality. Check online for customer reviews, and also, don't hesitate to ask the shop for references. If anything seems less than professional about the dealers in question, pass on the purchase.

3

Familiarize yourself with your state's salvage laws. Many states do not require that the salvaged title differentiate between flood damage and damage from a wreck. You do not want to buy a flood-damaged car. If your state doesn't have many laws regarding salvaged titles, perhaps a salvaged title is not a worthwhile investment in your case.

4

Get a Carfax.com report on the vehicle(s) in question using the VIN (see link in Resources). Often, salvaged vehicles are made up of 2 vehicles welded together. Carfax reports are typically around $20 and can tell you not only the conditions under which a car was set for salvage, but also more insight into the reliability of the salvage dealer.

5

Get the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before purchasing. If you do not have a mechanic that you trust, ask friends and family to help you find one. Prior to purchasing the salvaged vehicle, your mechanic can run multiple computer and physical tests to ensure that the vehicle is not only safe, but reliable.