A Rebuilt Salvage Title is a Certificate of Title with the word “Rebuilt” on the front of it. This means that the vehicle had previously been totaled by a Insurance Company because of an accident, theft, fire or flood. The vehicle was repaired or “rebuilt” inspected and approved by a DMV compliance examiner so it could be re-registered, insured and legally driven on the roads and highways again. If the title says rebuilt then the rebuilt application and inspection has already been done. If the title says “rebuild able” or “salvage rebuild able” then the application and inspection still has to be done before you can get a title.
Applying for Rebuilt Salvage Title
Being in the motor vehicle title business, you’d be surprised how many people I talk to that have acquired a salvage rebuild-able vehicle but procrastinate their intentions of getting a rebuilt salvage title even after spending their time and money to repair it. One of the main reasons for this could be because of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Rules and Regulations governing the rebuilt title procedure. The application for a rebuilt salvage title can be long, tedious and intimidating to those that dislike paperwork. Also it is recommended to get the initial application done right the 1st time because DMV charges $40 initial fee to review the application and if the vehicle fails inspection, there will be a $20.00 fee charged for each additional inspection needed until it passes.
What classifies as a Rebuilt Salvage Title?
Salvage titles involved accidents that largely refer to motor vehicles, mobile homes or vessels. Even those burnt in fires, carried away by floods and badly damaged are inoperable and totaled by an Insurance Company. Re-issuing a car title with the word “Salvage” or “Salvage Rebuildable” after declaring it inoperable. Stamped on the front of the title or in a conspicuous place.This means that you cant drive or operate on any roads or highways in any State. This however does not mean that vehicles with this type of salvage title becomes junk compared to vehicles with a certificate of destruction do.
Rebuild-able Salvage Title Differences
According to section 319.14 (1)(c)(3) of Florida Statutes, a Rebuilt title refers to a vehicle re-built from “salvage” or “junk”. There are different types of Florida salvage titles stamp with the salvage label.
You can now rebuilt after completing the application process and passing inspection by a Florida DMV compliance examiner:
- Total Loss – Titles labeled as total loss prior to January 1, 1990.
- Salvage Rebuildable – Titles labeled as “salvage rebuildable” after January 1, 1990.
- Salvage – Most common title label for salvage rebuildable titles.
Titles labeled as salvage UN-rebuildable, usually get a certificate of destruction. These motor vehicle titles are no longer valid and none rebuild-able. The vehicle is therefore only good for parts, scrap or a use to rebuild another vehicle (section 319.30(3)(b) of Florida Statutes).
Buying or Selling a Vehicle with a Rebuilt Salvage Title
Those person or company that has the name in the Salvage Title can only apply. You must obtain this rebuilt title status BEFORE registering the vehicle and legally operated on roads or highways. .(Section 319.14(1)(b), Florida Statutes, provides that no person shall knowingly offer for sale, sell, or exchange a rebuilt motor vehicle until the department has stamped in a conspicuous place on the certificate of title for the motor vehicle words stating that the vehicle has been rebuilt). Doing so is a felony punishable by law. Tip* You can transfer the salvage rebuildable title into your name and then apply for a rebuilt salvage title afterwards.
Read our article “What is a Salvage Title to find out more details about how to pass inspection and get a rebuilt title in Florida.
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