What is Salvage title?

Don’t Let This Misconception About Salvage Cars Stop You from Buying One

By Mike Richards Updated: 05/22/2019 Posted: 05/19/2017

Although salvage car auctions are popular all over the country, many people don’t ever consider them because of the following misconceptions we’re about to dispel.

They’re All Completely Totaled

Given the name, it’s easy to see why many people mistakenly think that salvage cars for sale must be complete garbage. If more people knew how good some of these vehicles were, you’d see even bigger crowds at auctions.

Now, to be fair, there are definitely going to be some salvage cars for sale at every auction that really can’t be driven ever again. They’re literally being sold for parts or to be turned into scrap metal.

This isn’t a fair generalization of all salvage cars, though. Again, while some repairs may be necessary, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for an embarrassment on wheels.

You Have to Immediately Bid on What You See

There are certain auctions out there where you don’t get an opportunity to inspect an item before you begin bidding. Shows like “Storage Wars” have become so popular that many people mistakenly think this setup applies to salvage cars for sale, too.

In reality, you definitely get to inspect the automobiles. You can even pull vehicle histories on them, as well, for information that wouldn’t turn up during an inspection.

Beginners Should Not Buy Salvage Cars for Sale

Here’s another big reason more people probably don’t consider salvage cars for sale when they’re in the market for a new car. Perhaps it’s because they think they can’t inspect them and, thus, would need a veteran’s eye to quickly size up a vehicle with one glance.

It could also be that people aren’t confident about the repairs or even believe they’ll need to do them themselves.

There’s some truth to this, but it’s overblown. You’ll want to do your research about the types of vehicles you have in mind. For best results, go to one or two auctions before you ever bid. Get a feel for how they work and for what to expect and you’ll do a lot better.

You’re Not Going to Be Able to Get Insurance

If you already have one, you should definitely speak to your insurance company before buying a salvage car. They could turn you down, though. This is a definite possibility with salvage cars.

That’s because the reason they have this classification is due to damage that’s so bad the insurance company would rather sell it than try paying for repairs.

That being said, there’s always an insurance company that will offer you a policy. Most of them may tell you that you’ll need liability insurance after the repairs are done, but then you’ll be good to go.

Hopefully, you found the above educational and feel a lot better about your prospects with salvage car. Still, if you’d like further help getting a vehicle that’s well below the typical price, let Auto Auction Mall. Tell one of our agents what kind of vehicle you want and how much you’re willing to spend. They’ll do the rest by scouring auctions all over the country and even handling the bidding.

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