Tag Archives: title

newspaper with cars

I Lost the Title to My Vehicle. How Do I Get a New One?

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Losing the title to your vehicle can be a stressful experience, but the good news is that getting a replacement is a straightforward process. A certificate of title establishes ownership of a vehicle, so you will need it when registering or selling your car.

Below is more information about the necessary steps required to obtain a new title for your vehicle. We hope this makes it easier to navigate the paperwork efficiently and get back on track!

Verify Your Ownership 

Before applying for a replacement title, you need to confirm that you are the legal owner of the vehicle. There are different ways to do this, such as by contacting your local DMV or running a VIN check. Keep in mind that most car owners won’t receive the title until they’ve fully repaid their car loan, or they paid cash for the vehicle. 

Gather Required Documentation 

In order to replace a car title, you’ll need to fill out paperwork with your vehicle’s information. Each state has different requirements, so check with yours to know what to expect. In general, replacement title applications require the following: 

  • VIN number
  • Year, make and model
  • License plate number
  • Odometer reading
  • Proof of ownership 
  • Lienholder
  • Driver’s license 
  • Fees – there are fees for this service 

Complete the Title Replacement Application 

Most states allow car owners to apply for a replacement title online, by mail or in person at the DMV. Once you fill out the application, it’s submitted to the local DMV, and you will receive the title by mail in two to six weeks. Most states require the fees to be paid at this time, and a photocopy of your driver’s license to be submitted. 

Browse Repossessed Vehicles with Clean Titles! 

Losing the title to your vehicle may seem like a hassle, but the process of obtaining a replacement is fairly straightforward. Once you have your car’s title, you can move forward with registering or selling your vehicle. 

RepoFinder has the largest bank repo list in America! We have links to banks and credit unions in all 50 states that are selling their repo inventory, including cars, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. Since you are buying the vehicles directly from the seller, you are getting a true repo at a significantly discounted price.

Visit RepoFinder.com today and browse our vehicles. They are in good condition and come with clean titles! 

salvage vs rebuilt title

Salvage vs Rebuilt Title: What’s the Difference?

A car’s title is a legal document that shows the business or person who owns the vehicle. Most vehicles on the market have a clean title, which means the car was never considered a total loss by an insurance company. However, some used vehicles for sale have a salvage or rebuilt title. 

Let’s learn more about salvage and rebuilt titles, the differences between them and what to look for when shopping for used or repossessed vehicles. 

What is a Salvage Title? 

A salvage title is a title for a car that was involved in a major accident and deemed a total loss by an insurance company. Because these vehicles can’t be driven on the road, they appeal to mechanics who plan to rebuild them. Once the work is done, the car will need to pass a state inspection. 

Be aware that every state has different laws about what constitutes a salvage title. For more information about salvage titles in your state, visit your local DMV. 

What is a Rebuilt Title? 

A rebuilt title was once a salvage title, but the vehicle was repaired and can now be driven on the road. For a vehicle to go from salvage to rebuilt status, it needs to be repaired, pass a state inspection and deemed fully functional. 

A car with a rebuilt title costs less than a car with a clean title because there was an accident and extensive damage at one point. But because the vehicle is now safe to drive, you can immediately register the car, put plates on it and get auto insurance. 

Should You Buy a Car with a Rebuilt Title? 

Buying a car with a rebuilt title is not a bad idea. You can save significant money, though be aware that the car will be worth less. But, it’s possible that the vehicle was repaired to the highest standards, so you can get a reliable, safe vehicle for a fraction of the price.

Also, cars with rebuilt titles are ready to register, insure and drive right away. However, it’s important to know that you may not be able to get full coverage with a rebuilt title. Get several quotes from different insurance companies to compare rates, and be honest about the title. 

And as always, we recommend having a full inspection when purchasing any used vehicle, particularly one that has been rebuilt. You want to be sure that nothing was missed during the original repair and inspection. 

car accident

What Happens When the Car You Want Has Been in an Accident?

This entry was posted in Repo Cars and tagged , , on by .

When you start shopping for a used car, you know that you have to be willing to give up certain features. But the hope is that you will get a great car in the end. However, what happens when you find the perfect car and you discover it has been in an accident? Should you move forward with the sale or pick a different vehicle? 

Believe it or not, 40 percent of cars on the road today have suffered some type of damage. So the chances of finding a used car with a history of damage is not uncommon. If you’re looking for a great deal, it’s important not to discount these types of vehicles. 

Below is more information on buying a car that has been in an accident. 

Determine How Bad the Accident Was 

The first thing to do is find out how bad the accident was. You can get this information from a Carfax report. Minor damage might only be a dent or scrape. But a major accident is a red flag. However, it’s possible for the Carfax report to be inaccurate at times.  

For instance, if there were four cars involved in the crash and three had severe damage, the undamaged car might also get noted as having major damage. This is why it’s important to have the car inspected so that you know what you’re buying. 

Inspect the Vehicle 

Here at RepoFinder, we always recommend having used and repo cars inspected regardless of what the Carfax report says. Most mechanics can quickly identify a car that’s had paintwork. But remember, even if the vehicle was in an accident, it’s not the end of the world. Millions of cars are involved in crashes each year, and with proper work, are perfectly fine to drive again. Which brings us to our next point. 

Find Out Who Did the Repairs 

A major point to consider is who fixed the vehicle, as this will determine the quality of the repair. Your mechanic should be able to tell you how the job looks by evaluating how the paint colors match, how the panels fit together and so forth. If there’s any indication that corners were cut, it’s best to stay away from the vehicle. 

Know the Title Status 

Another important element is the title status. In many states, a salvage title is issued when the damage exceeds the current value of the car. A rebuilt title is issued when a car has been inspected by the state and has met certain safety criteria. These types of titles can never be changed so the next buyer will know that the car has been in an accident. 

Final Thoughts 

So should you purchase a used or repo vehicle that has been in an accident? Maybe. With so many cars being involved in accidents each year, it’s difficult to omit them all from your search. And many of these accidents are minor, with only light dings and scratches, so they won’t affect the safety and reliability of the vehicle. 

As always, the key is to do your research, have a mechanic or someone who knows a lot about cars inspect the vehicle and do a title and vehicle history search. To start browsing for safe, dependable cars at affordable prices, count on RepoFinder. 

car keys in hand

What Happens if a Car Doesn’t Have a Title?

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A car title proves that you are the owner of a vehicle. This is why the team at RepoFinder always recommends buying used vehicles with a title. Otherwise, someone who has the valid title can come and take your car away because they are the rightful owners – even if you paid for the vehicle. 

But what happens if you find a vehicle that you want and it doesn’t have the title? While it’s a risky move, there are some ways you can make a safer purchase. Below are some tips on how to buy a car without a title. 

Get background information 

First, do a little research. Is there a reason why the vehicle doesn’t have a title? It’s possible that the original document was misplaced or stolen. Some vintage cars are also difficult to register and obtain a title.

Here are some questions we suggest asking: 

  • Where did you get the car? 
  • How long have you had the vehicle? 
  • Is there a lien on the car? 
  • What is the VIN? 
  • Who has current ownership of the car? 

Make sure it wasn’t stolen 

It’s important to know that you are buying a legal car. You can use a tool like AutoCheck or Carfax to find out the legal status of the vehicle, as well as other information like its odometer reading, accident history and insurance claims. Additionally, check out the car’s VIN from your state’s DMV. However, be aware that your DMV may not be able to answer all of your questions due to confidentiality and privacy issues.

Get a bill of sale 

As long as there are no red flags, you can proceed with the sale. But, do protect yourself by documenting everything. The first thing to write up is a bill of sale. This will help prove ownership and document other information like if the seller is going to supply you with a replacement title. If this is the case, we suggest putting your money in escrow and not paying in full until you get the title. 

Get a surety bond title 

If the vehicle’s title was lost or stolen, you can request a lost title bond. These bonds protect the DMV from the loss of the vehicle and potential damages, as well as protects buyers from obtaining fraudulent duplicates of titles. Once everything is verified by the surety bond company, you’ll pay a percentage of the bond amount. As long as no issues arise, you can get a clean title in 3-5 years. 

While we don’t recommend buying cars without their titles, there are certain times when it makes sense to do so. When shopping for repo cars, you might find that some have “repo titles.” This is fine – all it means is that the car was repossessed. Once you purchase the vehicle from the bank or lender, the title is transferred to your name. To browse repos with clean titles, visit RepoFinder.com today.