If you are interested in purchasing a vehicle from a used car dealership, it is important to gain access to all the information and records on that vehicle. Not all vehicles put up for sale at dealerships, private sales, and online marketplaces are in good shape. Some of these vehicles have been in severe accidents that may have led to serious damage. These damages can lead to a vehicle having a rebuilt title or salvage title, which may lead to a reduction in the vehicle’s value. In this article, we would be looking at how much a rebuilt title affects a vehicle’s value.
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What is a rebuilt title?
A rebuilt title is given to a vehicle that has previously been issued a salvage title and been deemed a total loss but has been fixed and has met the requirements of the state DMV. In other words, before a vehicle is issued a rebuilt title, it must have been issued a salvage title.
A salvage title is issued to a vehicle after it has been involved in a severe accident and deemed a total loss by an insurance company. Salvage-titled vehicles are then totaled, and the fair market value of the cars is sent to their owners and the vehicles, after which they are sold for parts or repaired. Salvage vehicles are not legally allowed to be driven in most countries, but after extensive repairs, they may be issued rebuilt titles when they pass a certain safety test at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The rebuilt title takes the place of the salvage title, allowing for the vehicle’s road-legal operation. It’s crucial to keep in mind that a rebuilt title signifies that the vehicle has previously suffered substantial damage, which may have a huge effect on its dependability and worth. A vehicle with a rebuilt title may lose up to 40% of its value because of the significant damage it underwent.
ALSO READ: Differences Between A Salvage Title and Rebuilt Title
How to get a rebuilt title for your vehicle
A rebuilt title is issued on salvage-titled cars after extensive repairs to warn buyers and sellers that the vehicle was once deemed a total loss but is safe to drive now. Getting a rebuilt title for your vehicle is a lengthy process but if these steps are followed closely, you may be able to legally drive that vehicle on the road soon or resell it if you want. Here are the steps to follow to get a rebuilt title for your vehicle:
Step 1: Get the vehicle repaired
The first step to getting a rebuilt title for your vehicle is getting the vehicle repaired. Salvage vehicles are mostly seen as worthless and sold for parts in the used car market. If you are determined to get the most out of a salvage-titled vehicle you got from an auction or online marketplace, you’ll have to carry out extensive repairs and bring every mechanical and electrical component to good working condition.
Step 2: Keep your repair receipts and get documents in place
During repairs, ensure to collect all receipts and documents related to the repairs of the vehicle. The receipts serve as proof and will make your application for a rebuilt title authentic. Ensure to keep your vehicle’s receipts for parts, labor, and any other work that was done on your vehicle. If you are sure of your vehicle’s condition and safety, you will need to have the following documents to successfully apply for a rebuilt title:
- – Proof of ownership such as a certificate of title or bill of sale
- – Completed application for rebuilt title certification
- – Receipts for the repair work. (All receipts must be provided)
- – Photographs of the vehicle in salvage condition
- – Inspection fees and other fees
Ensure that these documents are in perfect shape and reflect every change made to the vehicle, as your application could get rejected if the documents are incomplete.
Step 3: Submit an application to the DMV in your state
When you are sure of your vehicle’s safety status, you can submit an application for a rebuilt title to the DMV in your state. You may be asked to provide information such as the make and model, the VIN, and the extent of damage that led to the vehicle being salvaged.
Step 4: Have the car inspected
After your application has been approved, you will have to carry out an inspection to determine the vehicle’s safety status on the road. Be aware that you may need to tow your vehicle down to the venue for the inspection if it is illegal to drive a salvage-titled vehicle in your state.
Step 5: Wait for the title
After your application has been submitted and the inspection has been completed, you’ll have to wait for the DMV to process your application and issue the rebuilt title.
As soon as the title is issued, you may now drive your vehicle comfortably on the road like every other car. You may decide to sell a rebuilt vehicle also, but generally, the value of a rebuilt vehicle depends on the extent of damage sustained and some other factors, which we will have a look at in the next section.
Factors that affect a vehicle's value with a rebuilt title
Cars with rebuilt titles for sale are usually cheaper and more affordable but they are only recommended if you know how to deal with a vehicle with potential defects and safety issues. Some of the factors that affect the value of a rebuilt title include:
- The extent of the damage
- The quality of the repair work
- The age of the car
- The demand for the car
- The location of the sale
The extent of damage
The extent of damages the vehicle sustained before it was repaired significantly affects a rebuilt-title value at a used car dealership. For example, a car that just had some parts replaced after a minor accident will have more value compared to one that had a severe accident requiring major replacements and extensive repairs.
ALSO READ: Is It Better to Buy a Used Car Compared to a New Car?
The quality of the repair work
The quality of the repair work is another important factor that affects the value of a rebuilt title. Salvage and rebuilt-title cars are often expected to malfunction in the future, but with good repairs and replacement, that risk can be reduced to a minimum. Once this risk is eliminated, you can be sure that your rebuilt and retitled vehicle will have more value in the used car market. If this repair work was done by a reputable mechanic or dealer and the vehicle is in good shape, then you can be sure of that. If the car, after repairs, is in bad shape, the mechanical and safety systems could be compromised in the future, and this greatly reduces the vehicle’s value.
The age and mileage of the car
The age of a car, as well as its mileage, are also key factors in determining how much a rebuilt title affects a vehicle’s value. A newer vehicle with lower mileage and a rebuilt title is more likely to cost more than an older one with more mileage.
The demand for the car
This is a natural law that has been accepted by the world today. When demand for a specific car brand and model increases, the value increases. This increase in value doesn’t affect just newer models; it also has an effect on titled vehicles. Some car buyers may even be tempted to pay the fair market price for cars with rebuilt titles for sale, regardless of their rebuilt-title status.
The location of the sale
Another factor that affects the rebuilt-title value is the location of the sale. Cars with rebuilt titles may be worth more in areas with a higher demand for used cars or in areas where the cost of living is higher.
Tips for buying a car with a rebuilt title
If you are interested in the purchase of a rebuilt-title car, then you must be prepared to do your homework and expect potential issues. To guide you and make the process easier, we have compiled these tips for buyers interested in getting rebuilt titles. They are:
Get a detailed vehicle history report
Before purchasing any vehicle, you must be aware of its condition and history. With a vehicle history report, you can gain access to all records on a vehicle and easily determine which vehicle suits your needs more. A vehicle history report from Detailed Vehicle History is concise and comprehensive, and it clearly provides vehicle information to car buyers to make their search a lot easier. The information contained in a vehicle history report from Detailed Vehicle History includes:
- – Auction records with more than ten photos
- – Accident history
- – Damage history
- – Sales history
- – Vehicle specifications
- – Service history
- – Maintenance history
- – Theft records
- – Title-brand history
- – Lien and loan information
- – Open recalls, and more.
These are some of the details you can find in a vehicle history report from Detailed Vehicle History. This way, you can verify the vehicle’s condition and make the best decisions. If you are purchasing a rebuilt vehicle, you can easily discover how to decode classic car VIN numbers and gain access to the full vehicle history of your classic vehicle.
Get the car inspected
If you are willing to purchase a vehicle with a rebuilt or salvage title, it is recommended that you carry out an inspection of the vehicle. Check the vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems and ensure that they are in working condition. A rebuilt-titled vehicle is most likely to have hidden defects, so be sure to check properly and identify any.
Negotiate properly
A rebuilt-title vehicle costs significantly less than a used car with a clean title due to the severe accidents they underwent. Compared to used cars with clean titles, one with a rebuilt title would have 20–40% less value. This should be remembered when the time for negotiations comes, as there are some unsuspecting customers who have paid more than necessary for used cars because they negotiated wrongly.
Rebuilt-titled cars are good options for car buyers seeking really affordable vehicles, but they must be ready for potential issues when the time comes. These vehicles are also good purchases for car buyers who are professional mechanics or know one. To help purchase a vehicle with a rebuilt title, be sure to generate a vehicle history report with Detailed Vehicle History. With a vehicle history report, you can easily identify hidden defects and potential issues. You may also have a good idea of the vehicle’s market value. If you are purchasing a salvage-titled vehicle, be sure to get a professional mechanic to spearhead the repair process so that the rebuilt title will be issued in no time.
