OT: Salvaged Vehicles

[KMP]

Just curious if anyone knows more about salvaged title vehicles. I've been seeing a lot of vehicles with salvaged titles lately and most often the vehicle damage is as simple as:

CAR WAS IN MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE RIGHT FINDER, HOOD, AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED THERE WAS NO FRAME DAMAGE. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.DUE TO THE FACT CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT SALVAGE TITLE WAS ISSUED.

That was from a 2007 Toyota Camary. How can that little damage warrant a salvaged title? Also, it seems to be prominent in CA - haven't seen so much salvaged in other states. What gives?

 

[Jareth]

Errr, well I guess I get +1 for a non-reef question.

Salvage Titles mean that the vehicle was in an accident and it cost ~80% Actual Cash Value of the vehicle to repair it. I.E. 10k car, 8k repair bill = totalled car.

On a 07 Camary it would take a lot of damages. Tho you can get salvage titles on minor damages those are usually older cars.

 

[KMP]

that's the part i don't get. i always thought what you mentioned; major expense to repair, but on a 2007 camary - no way did the damage described cost over $10K.

 

[KMP]

From DMV website:

Salvaged-Vehicles marked with a "salvaged" brand were involved in an accident or incurred considerable damage from another source, such as a flood or vandalism. This brand includes previously dismantled (junked) vehicles.

Salvage Vehicles
Of all the vehicle brands, Salvaged has received the most attention in the past few years.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs found that more than 700,000 structurally damaged and 150,000 salvaged vehicles are returned to streets and highways every year without a safety inspection, and pose a potential hazard to all of the state's motorists.

A Salvage Vehicle is a vehicle that has been wrecked or damaged to such an extent that it is considered too expensive to repair. The title, license plates, and a required fee are submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and a Salvage Certificate is issued for the vehicle.

A Revived Salvage is a salvage vehicle which has been repaired and reregistered with the DMV.

Be Cautious When Buying a Revived Salvage Vehicle
Although many salvage vehicles are expertly repaired, some vehicles:

Are not properly repaired and/or tested and may be dangerous to operate.
Have been repaired with stolen parts. If the California Highway Patrol or DMV determines the vehicle or its parts have been stolen, the vehicle cannot be registered and the vehicle or parts will be seized.

 

[AJPACINO23]

pmd

 

[Nu2SW]

It can be salvaged if the airbags were deployed, or if it was stolen. If the damage is more then the cost of the car the insurance company can salvage it


Also, if the car was stolen, Ive seen cars get salvaged because of that.

 

[reefer334]

I am an auto collision tech and the damage has to exceed 80 percent of the vehicles value,an 07 would most likely be valued at retail new cst so the damge you described would not total that vehicle.Just because airbags went off in a car does not meen it will automatically total or being stolen for that matter it all stems downt to the 80 percent factor.I fix stolen cars all of the time to put them back to pre theft condition.

 

[pbetito]

Be aware that there has been a ton of Hurricane Katrina cars moved over to California so they can be sold as salvaged. If the car was in a flood the body damage is not the preblem.

 

[robertloop]

Hey guys.. Dont forget there is no longer factory warranyt on salvaged vehicles. Also make sure a qualified tech inspects the vehicle before buying.

 

[KMP]

lots of good info - thanks. does anyone know if a carfax report would disclose more information that the seller?

 

[C4SxM5]

I've dealt in the Salvage car business for a few years now, actually have 2 salvage cars that are currently for sale. Most salvage dealers/sellers don't usually tell you everything that was wrong with the car to salvage it out so its up to you to determine the extent of damage.

The camry you are talking about of course had more damage than was described to you, but not necessary 80% of the value. The majority of insurance companies look up what the car usually sells for at the auctions (coparts/iaai) and add that to your estimate. If it the #'s benefit them to total it out they will, if not, the pay to repair it.

Hope that helps and if you are serious about purchasing a salvage Camry, I have a guy that has several 2006+.

 

[reefer334]

Good point pbieto but flood damage still falls into the 80 percent rule do to all of the damage to the engine ,transmission and all of the electronic systems in the car as well as the onboard computers air bags and so on still considerd body damge or accident related damage.

 

[Solitaryensis]

KMP-
In GENERAL the cost to fix the damage exceeds the value of the car, hence the salvage title. However, given that i used to purchase salvaged cars, there are plenty of cars that make their way in with very little damage (ive seen a less than 6 month old car missing a radio salvaged.) I would be very careful about purchasing a salvaged car though. Ive driven plenty of them with no problems in my life, but you have to really scrutinize the damages and the repairs.

 

[xia]

Banks won't loan you money for salvaged cars, and Insurance will also give you less money for it, if you ever got in an accident.

 

[MandM]

I bought an old 84 Volvo that was salvaged but had been put back to road worthy condition. I got a title report from DMV cheaper than Carfax. It basically got hit hard when it was 12 yrs old and the damage was more than it was worth. I wouldn't touch a salvaged car that new without knowing exactly what happened to it. I bet it was bad.

 

[audio101]

Avoid salvaged cars, my first car ended up having a salvaged title. I ended up totally the car by getting into a tiny little fender bender going about 5 mph. Who ever repaired the car before I bought it used very cheap parts and didn't even do the body work correctly so it was a huge safety hazard. It's just not worth the risk since the quality of repairs is usually very cheap so the seller can turn a better profit.