The scoop on Salvage titles...

In looking for used Tacoma options; I've run into lots of 'Salvage' titles... I guess there are a lot of people that end up with bent Tacomas... But this is not my point....

This is >>>> - "Back in the day...", a Salvage title meant that at some point someone had written the vehicle off - slight damage would NOT cause a vehicle to be designated as Salvaged...

These days I see lots of comments like:

"It is a Salvage title, but only the fender cover was damaged... this is as good as new"...

"Salvage Title, Due to driver's door being dented / scratched - no real damage"

Are these people utterly full of it?? (My guess would be this...) However, there is a chance that things have changed since I've left the country... Has there been a change in the definition of what a 'Salvage' title designation is, and how this designation is determined?

My experience is from California / Massachusetts up to 2011 - but I imagine it must be a pretty uniform definition across the country...

Thanks for any insight you may be able to provide!

 

People lie. Stay away from salvage titles. They might look like a bargain now, but is it really worth the risk? and that same diminished value that looks like a great deal now, will bite you in the ass when you try to sell or trade because then you will be stuck trying to convince someone else to buy it.

If you are still set on buying one, you really need to know what you are looking at. Tacomas seem to get totaled easily from minimal body damage if the frame is bent. This doesn't mean that it can't be fixed, but the math prices it out of the repair economics for a for profit body shop. A skilled tinkerer can swap the frame for a fraction of the price working in their back yard. A shady curbstoner would repair the frame against Toyotas recommendation and tell you that it is ok. Buyer beware!

 

Write off rates used to be around 50% of book/market, now they've upped that to the 60-70% range. They were written off because the cost to fix their damage is close to what they're worth. Insurance companies aren't writing off vehicles to sprinkle little hidden gems in to to the used vehicle market, they know what they're doing.

 

I drive a salvage title. Bought it at a salvage auction, did the repair, passed DOT inspection. I have less into mine with all the modifications I wanted than buying one non-salvage with no mods. I agree with above if buying one that was repaired do some research from searching the VIN to get an idea of what damage was prior to the repair. Some should be sent to a salvage yard for parts. In my 35 years of driving, I have kept all my vehicles 15 to 20 years. So for me, resale value is meaningless. Only draw back of salvage, in my opinion, is you are in another collision, insurance only pays partial and not a full replacement. At least that is the case for my USAA.

 

I would never buy a salvage vehicle that has been "repaired". I would (and have 3 times) buy salvage vehicles that are wrecked. If you buy them wrecked and fix them yourself, you can control the quality of parts and workmanship that goes in to them.

 

Agreed - I am not interested in buying any salvaged vehicle, I am curious as to what this means these days since I see these seemingly bogus claims. Just - updating my dated experience...

Thanks for the update - This is consistent with my experience. So this guideline would mean that these are in fact VERY bogus claims being made. I guess the change is that people are apparently willing to make bigger lies these days!

 

There's Hawks that scoop them up and flip them for a quick buck pre repairs, they want you to believe it's just a scratch.

 

nothing wrong with buying one and fixing it yourself, with the intention of driving it into the ground.

 

If it says salvage on the title, then 'dents and scratches' don't really apply. Sadly, we know there are many oblivious people buying these things daily not REALLY knowing what they have bought. I completely agree with comments above thou...if you know what you are buying and the downsides to owning salvage, have at it.

 

Yes it's easy to find salvage titled Tacomas (or other vehicles) that has only minor scratches and dings for sale.

They were storm/flood damaged. Beware.

 

What is permitted to “repair” a vehicle has changed. In the prior century, my friend had a car he wrecked. They (all authorized by his insurance company) cut the car in half. Took his rear and welded in a front clip from another wreck. Coat of paint and gave it back to him. You didn’t drive above 50 mph, it shook like a vibrating bed. Can’t do that any more.

 

I agree - If you are able to see what you are buying - and have the time and skills to perform the repairs - then these may be a great opportunity. I would not want to buy someone else's unknown botched-up mess.

 

My old neighbors only purchased salvage title cars that had been fixed. They were not car enthusiasts, so little things didnt matter much to them. I inspected all their cars and generally there was some shady work done to repair them, but overall the cars would last them a few years then they would sell and buy another one.

 

No such thing as door ding salvages. X2, people lie.

I would only buy a salvage if I saw it before the rebuild and had the capability/tools to rebuild or after rebuild it was and should be priced at 40-50% of regular book.

 

Anyone selling a newer salvage vehicle who tries to tell you it just need a bumper and fender, and now its all good is a flat out liar. For a newer Tacoma, you're nearly guaranteed the frame is bent for them to salvage it. But, that doesn't mean it can't be repaired or replaced. You can find yourself a good salvaged vehicle. I own one and saved around 35-40% from similar clean title vehicles.

If you're a buy it off the lot kind of guy, stay away. A salvage purchase is for the DIY guy. Be prepared for a lot more investigation work and don't accept anything the seller says as fact.

I wouldn't even consider buying one if they can't provide photos of the vehicle BEFORE the repairs were made. Once you've seen how bad it was wrecked, do an extremely thorough inspection of the repair work. See how deep they went on the repair and find where they cut corners to save a buck. If you have no experience repairing vehicles and recognizing a bad repair, pay a reputable shop (not associated in any way to the truck) to do the inspection for you.

 

Copy and paste the VIN and search for images... after you see actual photos of the vehicle damaged before it was fixed. Some of these “good as new” vehicles were really fucked up(more than just a small dent haha)

 

I paid cash for my salvage title truck a few years ago at auction. Has hail damage but structurally it’s perfect. I wouldn’t buy a salvage title from a dealer. Buying at auction is better because you can see what damages are present rather than going off claims of what might have been done properly.

 

Depends on why its salvage and what exactly was damaged (sometimes it flood damage STAY AWAY from those at all costs) and what your particular wants and desires are. Some dealers wont take it as a trade and with people being able to do their own title research they may also shy away from one as well. But if you're planning on running the wheels off of it yourself and ok with there possibly being underlying issues of some sort shoot for it. Id never buy one myself unless it was for parts but that's just me.

 

To me, It depends on why it was salvaged. I’ve owned a salvaged title car before but I knew why it was totaled and who fixed it.

 

My crv was deemed a total loss because the hood slightly bent. Radiator cracked. And the grill cracked. So yea.... It can be deemed salvage for minor shit