How to Get a Rebuilt Title If Your Car Is Totaled

Has your car sustained significant damage, but you are hoping to repair it and get it on the road again? You’ll need to get a rebuilt title to register the car and get a tag at your local DMV. But maybe you are wondering how to do that once the vehicle has been totaled. It can be quite an involved process, but you can come out the other side with a rebuilt title for your car. Follow the steps outlined in this article to get it done.

Obtaining a rebuilt title for your car can be a complex process that involves dealing with insurance companies, repair shops, and government agencies. To ensure that a vehicle with a rebuilt title still meets safety standards, some car owners opt for professional inspection services before completing the process. If you're seeking a reliable service in the Brisbane area, consider choosing Mobile Pre Purchase Car Inspection Brisbane to help you evaluate your vehicle's safety and provide the necessary documentation for a rebuilt title. With their expertise, you'll have confidence knowing your car is in good hands.

What Is a Rebuilt Title?

First, let’s discuss precisely what a rebuilt title is. Your state’s DMV issues your car’s title as proof of ownership of the vehicle. It shows specific information about your automobile, such as the year, make, model, and VIN. It will also list the owner’s name and address and any lien holders if you have a loan on the car. If your vehicle was purchased new or has never suffered any significant damage, it has a “clean” title.

Some cars may have sustained significant damage but have been repaired and are back on the road again. Once the vehicle suffers this damage, it is issued a salvage title. This tells potential buyers that the car has damage and is not driveable. A vehicle is usually considered totaled when the repairs equal 50% or more of the car’s value. When the vehicle is repaired and can be driven again, a rebuilt title is issued, showing that the vehicle has been fixed and is again on the road.

How Do I Get a Rebuilt Title?

The laws for obtaining a reconstructed title vary from state to state, but the general process is the same. First, if you have full coverage insurance, your insurance company will own the car after it is totaled. They will pay you the value of the car, and then they will take ownership of the vehicle. In some cases, you may be allowed to repurchase the car from them at a salvage price if they are willing to sell it. If you don’t have full coverage insurance and want to get the car back on the road with a rebuilt title, then keep reading.

You should first know that in most states, you must go from a clean title to a rebuilt title. When your car is totaled, it is issued a salvage title. This means that it cannot be registered or driven during this time. Now is the time you will want to start the repair process. Ensure the car's repairs are correctly done because your vehicle will be inspected before the rebuilt title is issued. You should have a qualified mechanic or body shop perform the work. Only licensed rebuilders can purchase salvage cars to fix them in some states. If you are not a certified rebuilder, you cannot apply for a rebuilt title for the vehicle.

Once the repairs have been completed, quite a bit of paperwork is typically involved. This is when an application for an inspection needs to be completed. As part of the application, the rebuilder will generally need photos of the vehicle in its wrecked state before the repairs are performed. Receipts for new features and the original salvage title from the car should be included. Several state-specific forms will need to be completed, and then everything will be submitted to the state DMV to schedule the inspection. Note that the car must be towed to the inspection site, as it is not yet legal to drive it on the highway.

At the inspection, the inspector will go through the vehicle and check that all repairs have been completed satisfactorily. They want to ensure that the car is safe to drive on the road, not only for the driver but also for the other vehicles around it. If everything has been repaired correctly, the car will pass inspection, and a rebuilt title will be issued. Once the rebuilt title is issued, the vehicle can be sold to anyone for driving on the road again.

Things to Watch Out For

Be aware that if your car is issued a rebuilt title, you might not be able to obtain insurance because the insurance company cannot verify that it is in safe operating condition. Also, the resale value is typically much lower than the exact vehicle with a clean title. Lastly, the car could have mechanical or other issues that cannot be repaired to its original condition, so you might have to deal with problems with the vehicle for years to come. But, if you are set on getting a rebuilt title for your totaled car, there are steps to get there. Always check the laws in your state before you get started to ensure you fully comply with their rules.