How to Check for a Salvage Title
To check for a salvage title, read the vehicle's physical title and look at the brand field, a salvage brand means an insurer declared the car a total loss, usually when damage exceeded about 75% of its value. Confirm the vehicle's identity by decoding the VIN, and verify title brands through the federal NMVTIS database via an approved provider. A branded title can cut a car's value by 20–50% and may hide safety-critical damage.
Common Title Brands
- Salvage, total loss declared by an insurer; not roadworthy until rebuilt
- Rebuilt / Reconstructed, a repaired salvage car, re-inspected and road-legal
- Flood / Water Damage, high risk of electrical and mechanical faults
- Junk, legal only for parts or scrap
- Lemon (Manufacturer Buyback), repurchased for repeated warranty defects
How to Verify a Title Brand
- Ask the seller for the physical title and read the brand field
- Decode the VIN to confirm the vehicle's identity and specs
- Run the VIN through NMVTIS via an approved provider
- Have a mechanic inspect for hidden structural or flood damage
Is It Safe to Buy a Salvage or Rebuilt Car?
It can be, if the repairs were done properly and documented and an independent mechanic verifies the work.
It can be, if the repairs were done properly and documented and an independent mechanic verifies the work. But branded vehicles carry higher risk, are harder to insure and finance, and always sell for less, so proceed carefully and negotiate accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a car has a salvage title?
Read the physical title and check the brand field, and verify through the NMVTIS database. Decode the VIN first to confirm the vehicle.
Does a salvage title lower a car's value?
Yes, typically by 20–50%, and it can complicate insurance and financing.
Can a salvage car be made road-legal again?
Yes. After proper repairs and a state inspection it may receive a rebuilt title, but it never returns to clean-title status.
Related Guides
Sources: NMVTIS · NHTSA vPIC.