Tag Archives: used vehicles

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. 

emissions test oil change

What to Do When Your Car Fails its Emissions Test

The majority of states in the U.S. require some sort of emissions testing (also called a ‘smog check’ or ‘smog test’), though how often varies considerably. Even though emissions tests are common – most states require them every two years – most people have no clue what to do if they fail.

Since you need to pass your emissions test to get new tags, you’ll want to know what to do if you end up failing your test. Below is more information on this issue and the steps to take. 

Determine the Reason

There’s a reason why your car failed the test, so now it’s time to find out why. By addressing the issue, you can pass your test next time. Some of the most common reasons why cars fail their smog tests are: 

  • Overdue oil change. Dirty oil releases pollutants that can interfere with your emissions test. Fresh, new oil releases fewer pollutants and ensures a cleaner engine.
  • Car exhaust issues. Extreme weather and general wear and tear can cause problems with your car exhaust. Once you fix this issue, you’ll pass the emissions test and enjoy a smoother ride! 
  • Check engine light is on. When your ‘check engine’ light is on, it’s telling you that something is wrong. Take your car into a repair shop for diagnostic testing. While it could be anything, faulty oxygen sensors are common. 

Get an Oil Change, Go for Diagnostic Testing 

If you haven’t had an oil change in some time, you can start there. Your car is going to need fresh oil anyway. If the check engine light is still on, this means that something else is going on. 

Request diagnostic testing at your local auto shop. A mechanic should be able to identify the problem and a course of action. It’s possible that you have a compromised catalytic converter or faulty gas cap, two things that affect smog testing. 

Once you know what’s going on, you can take the necessary steps to fix the problem and pass the emissions test. If you choose not to, you can be fined, and you may not be able to register your vehicle.

While most dealerships are not allowed to sell a car that wouldn’t pass testing, an as-is sale is different. If you purchased a used car from a private seller, schedule a full inspection to make sure your new car will pass testing. 

online car shopping

How to Find Repossessed Cars for Sale in Your Area

Are you shopping around for a used car at a bargain price? With pandemic-related car shortages, even used cars are selling for way more than they’re worth. For the best deals, you’ll want to check out repossessed cars. 

Repo cars are vehicles that the banks have taken back from the owners because they didn’t make their payments on time. Usually, the banks give owners a chance to catch up on their payments, but if they’re unable to do this, the vehicle is listed for sale. 

Oftentimes, dealerships scoop up repossessions at great deals, and then fix them up before selling them on their lot. But because they take some time to clean and repair major issues, consumers are paying more for them.

If you want a true repo car at a heavily discounted price, here are some tips for finding one. 

Online Auctions 

A large portion of repo vehicles make their way to auctions. Auctions are popular because they’re a way to reach a wide number of buyers. There are a number of online auction sites, so you’ll have to do your research to find the best ones. 

Some things to pay attention to include: 

  • Membership or registration fees. Most auction sites require you to have a membership. Even if you can browse the inventory, you’ll likely need to be a member to place a bid. Find out what each membership includes, how much it costs, how often you’re billed and if there’s a contract.
  • Selection of inventory. Ideally, you want to choose an auction site that has an extensive inventory of vehicles. This way, you have more to choose from. Some sites even sell recreational vehicles like ATVs, RVs, boats and small aircraft.  
  • How often the inventory changes. Pay attention to how frequently the inventory changes. The more often it’s updated, the more vehicles you’ll have to choose from, making it easier to find the repo car that you want. 

Police Repo Auctions 

Sometimes, it’s not the banks and lenders that are in charge of repossessing vehicles – it’s the police. This is especially common when repossessions are ordered by the court. However, police stations are unable to keep random vehicles on their lots, so they’re motivated to sell them at deep discounts. 

Lender and Bank Repo Sales 

Banks, lenders and credit unions sometimes also have their own inventory of repo cars. They’re usually hoping to recoup some of their losses, which is why they’re willing to sell them to dealerships and the general public at discounted rates. 

RepoFinder.com makes it easy to shop for bank-owned vehicles. We have repo lists from all over the country. Simply click on the state you live in, and you’ll be provided with a list of banks and lenders in your area. We continually update our inventory, and our membership is just $4.95 a month – no contract. 

Find your repo vehicle at a bargain price today!