Rebuilt Title

SSSilverado23 · August 16, 2012

I found a duramax that i absolutely love for sale. called the guy up. Has everything i could want. Then he says rebuilt title. I know this isnt a good thing but is it necessarily a bad thing? Does it kill all value of the truck or does it just tell someone its been wrecked. The guy told me he had to replace the fender and a few other minor parts. He got it at an auction with a rebuilt title. Should i just steer clear or is it not end all on this truck? Thanks for the help.

tyhuck · August 16, 2012

I bought a Jeep that had one. Turns out it was a recovered theft, but the insurance had already payed it off so it was automatically sold as "salvaged". Ide find out how long its been since it was declared rebuilt. If it was recently, Ide personally pass it by. If it was a few years ago, then its probably a safe bet the other owner fixed any problems by now.

It was hard for me to get financing because my credit union ran a carfax and didnt want to finance it. The worst problem I had came to resale. Most people were scared off when I told them about the title. Some people claim that you cant get them insured fully, and others say it knocks the value down by like 1/2. I had full coverage and sold it for just under blue book.

Thats my experience, but you should definately consult your insurance agent and financial institution of choice on the issue.

kstruckcountry · August 16, 2012

You never know for sure really. Some are even totaled by hail, or theft, or other things that don't really have any effect on the vehicle once fixed. Honestly I'd take his word for it if it was me. I'd also make sure I got a heck of a deal on it, because you won't be to get near as much for it if you sell it, even if it's in perfect shape.

Duelin · August 16, 2012

What are the laws in your state concerning Rebuilt Titles. In the state that I live in the body shop has to be licensed by the state to rebuild and be issued a Salvage Title (Salvage Rebuild License). Not every body shop is licensed to do so. And after a vehicle has been rebuilt it is taken to the state for inspection. And when the state inspects it you need all the documentation. Which includes proof of purchase from salvage company. Pictures showing damage. Sales receipts for all parts. If parts are used you need the VIN# of the vehicle they come off of. And after the go completely thru the vehicle and inspect all of the repairs then a Salvage Title is issued. After you pay the inspection fee. Not sure what that is now. It use to be $50. Then you take it to an inspection station and have the safety and emission inspection done. A friend of mine does a hand full of these a year. He will usually sell them at about half of what book value is.

kstruckcountry · August 16, 2012

It sounds like the owner has been driving it and it's his truck. If so, he obviously didn't have an issue titling or registering it.

SSSilverado23 · August 17, 2012

Here is the link to the truck. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/3187803284.html

asc08 · August 17, 2012

I just did a quick KBB price check on that, and it shows private party sale, in excellent condition is $26,800. That is with a clear title. If it were me, I would not pay nearly book value on a salvaged vehicle.

You could do a little research and see how long ago it was 'totaled' and find out why. As was stated, it may have been stolen and paid off by the insurance company, and while it was stolen, the fender got crunched. Or, a few years ago, when the value was say $30k, it had $25k in damage, and the insurance company totaled it.

Your insurance company may be able to help, or if you can get the Carfax, call around to see if you can get any more information on it.

The other questions are what hoops do you need to jump thru to get it registered, inspected and insured.

Unfortunately, too many people will minimize the original damage to keep a potential buyer interested.

Beer Belly · August 22, 2012

Funny that this should come up. You might want to check your local DMV on titling it. I'm now trying to help a friend title a car in CT that he bought from his Cousin in NC....who bought it from a used car dealer....who bought it from an Auction House with a Salvage Title. Here in CT they need the Insurance Adjusters Report from the Insurance Co. claiming the loss.....called NC DMV, and they gave me the Insurance Co. name....called them, they can't give the info to a third party....called the Auction House....they had to look into the archives to find it (4 years ago)....they found it and Faxed it (THANK YOU !!!).....now CT wants to know...who repaired it.....where did the parts come from...including part numbers, or VIN numbers if used parts....been working on this for 3 weeks...thought we had it, but now finding out the owner retained the totalled car, and not sure who repaired it....cannot get owners name due to confidentiality laws....I would never by a car with ANY title issue...EVER....at least not in CT

rogerw · December 17, 2012

I have a question I purchased a 2007 chevy tahoe from copart in new york the tahoe was a theft recovery the driver side door handle was brokoen and the key cylinder is missing and the cover on the stearing column was taking apart but no other damage was on vehicle looks new and only has 43000 miles on it and have all the paperwork on it from insurance company,copart auto auctions, and the broker that bought it for me. the question is when the person stole it they removed the vin plate on the dash. can I take the truck to the dealership with all the paperwork and get a new vin plate installed

desrtrat · December 17, 2012

going to a dealer, no..i'm surprised that it was sold without a vin# unless they used the door vin# but can be altered also..best thing is go to the NYS police(troopers) and see what has to be done to re vin the truck. here in CA, the CHP can issue a new/replacement vin#..but be prepared for the worst if there is any questions that need to be answered, or you got ripped off..

good luck

nickvrebel · December 18, 2012

I have a question I purchased a 2007 chevy tahoe from copart in new york the tahoe was a theft recovery the driver side door handle was brokoen and the key cylinder is missing and the cover on the stearing column was taking apart but no other damage was on vehicle looks new and only has 43000 miles on it and have all the paperwork on it from insurance company,copart auto auctions, and the broker that bought it for me. the question is when the person stole it they removed the vin plate on the dash. can I take the truck to the dealership with all the paperwork and get a new vin plate installed

here in Louisiana the state police will engrave the Vin to a permanent part, like the frame. I had a friend with a Yamaha Rhino, I managed to wreck it, requiring a frame replacement. The Vin was on the frame. The shop doing the repair had to arrange for the state police to come perform an inspection and engrave the vin on the new frame. Chances are the vehicle has been already permanently marked when the salvage title was issued.

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hzhardy · December 18, 2012

I have a question I purchased a 2007 chevy tahoe from copart in new york the tahoe was a theft recovery the driver side door handle was brokoen and the key cylinder is missing and the cover on the stearing column was taking apart but no other damage was on vehicle looks new and only has 43000 miles on it and have all the paperwork on it from insurance company,copart auto auctions, and the broker that bought it for me. the question is when the person stole it they removed the vin plate on the dash. can I take the truck to the dealership with all the paperwork and get a new vin plate installed

I use to do rebodies before i joined the military in Oklahoma. Typically if you aquired the vehicle under a remanufactures license you can have them go to the dmv with the sale information and you can get a state assigned VIN. Alot of states quit doing this so you have to check with yours. We had to provide all the reciept for the parts purchsed for the repair that show their origin so we could prove it was not done with stolen parts. When you re-asign a vin you will get a clear title and it is easier to get a loan, there for easier for you to sell it.

Beer Belly · February 16, 2013

Funny that this should come up. You might want to check your local DMV on titling it. I'm now trying to help a friend title a car in CT that he bought from his Cousin in NC....who bought it from a used car dealer....who bought it from an Auction House with a Salvage Title. Here in CT they need the Insurance Adjusters Report from the Insurance Co. claiming the loss.....called NC DMV, and they gave me the Insurance Co. name....called them, they can't give the info to a third party....called the Auction House....they had to look into the archives to find it (4 years ago)....they found it and Faxed it (THANK YOU !!!).....now CT wants to know...who repaired it.....where did the parts come from...including part numbers, or VIN numbers if used parts....been working on this for 3 weeks...thought we had it, but now finding out the owner retained the totalled car, and not sure who repaired it....cannot get owners name due to confidentiality laws....I would never by a car with ANY title issue...EVER....at least not in CT

This update is along time overdue......North Carolina DMV gave the name of the Insurance Co. who claimed it a total loss.....thru them I back tracked who bought it at auction, then who fixed it, and got all the info needed....a big PITA, they had to go into the archives to find everything.