Damaged car on the road
What is Salvage title? US States Rebuilt Title Rules

Are US Damaged Cars Good for More Than Parts? 

By Mike Richards Updated: 08/17/2022 Posted: 10/16/2015

When you are searching for vehicles, you might come across damaged cars for sale that has salvage titles. You might be wondering if these are actually worth your time. And whether you should consider buying the US damaged cars parts. The truth of the matter is that it really depends on the vehicle and what type of damage it has. It also depends on what you want to do with the vehicle.

 

Getting the Vehicle on the Road

One of the common questions that people have when it comes to damaged cars for sale is whether they will ever be able to get them on the road again. Many times, it is possible, but it really depends on the condition of the vehicle and the amount of money that you are able to spend.

Even though it’s possible to save a lot of money when you buy these types of vehicles, there’s a chance that the amount of money you need to spend on repairs would entirely negate the amount you saved on the cost of the car.

When you are buying, you need to research the vehicle you are considering and understand everything that’s wrong with it before you place your bid. You will want to make sure that you are choosing a vehicle that, even with your repairs cost estimate. Its price is still low enough that you will be saving money.

You also need to consider the title of the damaged cars for sale. A damage car may have have  a salvage title because the damage was severe (though that is not always the case) and this means you will not be able to get insurance for the vehicle until you repair it. After the repairs, you will be eligible to receive a rebuilt or reconstructed title for the car. This will allow you to get on the road, but you should be aware that in many states it will always carry ‘rebuilt’ in the title. Find information on Rebuilt Title Laws for Each US State.

Getting insurance after you rebuild the vehicle should not be too difficult, at least for liability insurance.

This covers the damage that you do with the vehicle to other people and property when you are the cause of an accident. Insurance companies have no problem offering this type of insurance.

However, they are stricter when it comes to full coverage, and will find that many insurance companies will not provide this type of coverage. Other insurance companies may be able to provide coverage, but it can sometimes be difficult to determine the value of the rebuilt vehicle. You should make sure you speak with the insurance companies about what they can offer before you even buy a vehicle, just so you know what type of coverage you will be able to get.

One of the other things to note is that the resale value of the damaged cars for sale in the USA, even after they’ve had all of the repairs they need, tends to be low. This is because they have the rebuilt title, so people know they’ve been damaged in the past. Even if they are in better condition than they’ve ever been, the value will tend to be low in many cases.

If you are able to prove to the buyer the work you put into the car, you might be able to get a better price. However, it’s not something that you should rely on. For many people who buy damaged cars for sale, this doesn’t really matter, as they are buying a vehicle that they plan to keep for a long time.

 

Using the Car for Parts

If you are buying damaged cars in the USA for the parts they offer, and you won’t be trying to rebuild the vehicle, there’s no problem buying them. You can buy them and strip them for the parts you need to work on your own vehicle or to sell. If you do this, you will want to make sure you keep the bill of sale for the vehicle, as you will need it to show where you’ve received your parts.

Some of the damaged vehicles will even have a status of “not repairable”, so they can only be used for parts. When you are buying damaged cars for sale in the USA, this is a designation you will need to watch for. You need to know how you can use the vehicle that you buy, either for repair or just for parts.

 

Are They Worth the Trouble or Not?

Is it a good idea to choose damaged cars for sale or not? As long as you are able to put in the effort to learn as much about the vehicles as possible so you know what you are getting, then it definitely has the potential to be a good purchase. When you buy using this method, it allows you to save a lot of money, and get the type of vehicle you want.

Of course, you should rush into it. Consider your budget for the vehicle, repairs, and other costs. Get estimates for the repairs, and talk with insurance companies to understand your coverage options.

Researching before buying damage cars for sale will ensure you are making good decisions.

Find information on Rebuilt Title Laws for Each US State. Explore our Vehicle Auctions, as well as finding more information about How These Auctions Work.

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