Community Forums

vernthompson · 04-06-2018, 08:58 AM

Anyone have any thoughts on salvage titles. Here is a beautiful Tiffin and what was said about it. It’s beautiful and the ad makes it sounds great. What should I be concerned about? Thanks.

LJowdy · 04-06-2018, 09:24 AM

You didn't post the ad

garykk · 04-06-2018, 10:39 AM

First thing that comes to mind is insurance..Most insurance companies will not insure salvaged vehicle. Usually listed in exclusions.

Mr_D · 04-06-2018, 10:51 AM

Most people can write a great ad, but the actual condition may be far different. I would never buy anything with a salvage title.

momdoc · 04-06-2018, 01:32 PM

I am not sure you can even register a vehicle after it has been issued a salvage title. I may be wrong and this only applies to "junk titles" but you might wan to check with your local DMV on this before even thinking about the insurance issue.

kerryvan · 04-06-2018, 04:09 PM

Insurance will be an issue, and loans against it will be improbable. You can get tags but some states require an inspection first. Resale is unlikely.

mbridinger · 04-06-2018, 04:35 PM

I have bought a few vehicles with salvage titles. Great value and never a problem with insurance. I only bought vehicles that the previous owner provided pictures of the damage. There are a bunch of water damaged vehicles from Houston around, those I would stay away from.

Old-Biscuit · 04-06-2018, 04:46 PM

Savaged Title means Insurance company wrote it off as a total loss...which could mean it was trashed or that cosmetic repairs cause more then 60-65% of value (not sure of % used anymore)

Excellent shape...one has to wonder if it was a FLOOD Victim.
A little clean up and looks GOOD............then corrodes/deteriorates from within/from below

Need to dig into WHY it has a SALVAGE TITLE.

Otherwise PASS!

TonyMac · 04-06-2018, 05:03 PM

Look for delaminations in the exterior panels, look for evidence of water damage. Ask straight out "What was the damage that caused this rig to be totaled?" and record the answer. Look for evidence to support or disprove the answer. Lying is a sign of something worse than you'd want to deal with.

That said, I bought a 2013 Linclon MKX with a salvage title; love it. My 74 Vette has a salvage title; it's restored to coolness. Heck, I had to put thousands into a vehicle that had depreciated to about zero, a 55 Belair, I guess you could say it was salvaged, but it's worth well over 20k. So salvage is in the eyes of the beholder.

TurtleKent · 04-06-2018, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vernthompson

Anyone have any thoughts on salvage titles. Here is a beautiful Tiffin and what was said about it. It’s beautiful and the ad makes it sounds great. What should I be concerned about? Thanks.

Is that the one in the Dixie RV flood? Insurance totaled it out. People smarter than us(insurance) decided it was not economically repairable.

dkrobath · 04-09-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleKent

Is that the one in the Dixie RV flood? Insurance totaled it out. People smarter than us(insurance) decided it was not economically repairable.

Somebody bought it..... went fast. Would like to have seen it. Big risk for $190,000 but who knows. Wish the buyer luck.

Roadwarrior7 · 04-13-2018, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleKent

Is that the one in the Dixie RV flood? Insurance totaled it out. People smarter than us(insurance) decided it was not economically repairable.

Untrue.
The Dixie RV flood damage nearly 300 units. The insurance company made a decision to call all of them flood damaged without inspection. Some units were in as little as 12 inches of water.

BTW, they didn't issue salvage titles, they issued destruction titles.

Scott

TonyMac · 04-14-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadwarrior7

Untrue.
The Dixie RV flood damage nearly 300 units. The insurance company made a decision to call all of them flood damaged without inspection. Some units were in as little as 12 inches of water.

BTW, they didn't issue salvage titles, they issued destruction titles.

Scott

Never heard of a destruction title, what's the difference? I have several vehicles with salvage titles.

Waiter21 · 04-14-2018, 08:03 AM

Over the years, I've purchased several cars with salvage titles.. Salvage usually means it will cost more to fix it than what its worth.. (Some states issue Salvage and/or Rebuilt titles, same/similar things)

In Ohio, before Salvage title is issued and plates can be purchased, they require a VIN and safety inspection. (lights, brakes, etc). I've had cars done at the dealer, $50

Advantage - substantially lower purchase price..
Disadvantage - substantially lower selling price.

When I bought the cars, I want to know why the salvage was issued. Damage, photos, history..

What repairs were made, if any.. Fire or flood damage is very difficult to mitigate. The main issue will be corrosion in electrical connectors, wires, etc..

No problem getting insurance, it will be a like vehicle or cash. i.e. Salvage value, not a new car. Check with your agent on how they insure Salvage titles.

When we were looking to upgrade our MH a couple years ago, I ran across a very nice DP that had a frig fire that was totaled. The seller wasn't willing to negotiate a price and was asking almost as much for for the totaled unit as a similar used unit.. After going back and forth several times we walked away..