Some people tend to think that when they buy a used car, and they discover that it has a salvage title, this is a death knell. However, there are numerous reasons that a car might have an auto salvage title, and not all of them are negative. Throughout the course of this brief guide, you will learn of a few reasons that a car might have a salvage title.

The Car Is A Restored Antique

A restored antique with a salvage title isn't necessarily something to get excited about – but it certainly can be. Many of the times that a car seems like a restored antique but comes along with the caveat of a salvage title, means that many of the major components, such as the transmission and engine block, aren't originals. If possible, you should attempt to get a bill of sale for every major component that is present in your car, including the chassis, body, and engine related subassemblies.

The Car Was Once Totaled

A car that has been considered "totaled" by an insurer doesn't necessarily mean that its body has seen extensive damage. However, this doesn't mean that its innards have not seen extensive damage. A salvage title could very well be indicative of the fact that the car has seen extensive damage in its day, and many of the parts that are integral to a solidly running car could have been mangled if the car was considered totaled. Much like the case with an antique car, it is in your best interest to ask for a bill of sale for all of the major components involved in the construct of your car.

Stolen and Recovered Vehicle

A salvage title might be indicative of the fact that the car was stolen and subsequently recovered. This happens more often than you think. In 2010, there is a car stolen once every 33 seconds. Many times, when a car has been stolen and recovered and has an auto salvage title, it is in perfectly good working condition, and very well may not have had any of its parts stripped during this time. Many times, an auto insurance provider will give the vehicle a salvage title since it will allow the owner to get back onto the road in many cases.

Hopefully, this brief guide has given you some idea about why a car you are interested in buying has an auto salvage title. Contact a business, such as Fox Valley Iron Metal & Auto Salvage Inc, for more information.   

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