Bidding on a Salvage Car? Know These Damage Statuses

These days, people, especially Millennials, are always on the lookout for good deals that can offer them the most value in the long run. The same principle is true when they are out car shopping. Price-conscious shoppers are now digging a little deeper and now starting to consider buying vehicles with a salvage title.

What Is a Salvage Title Vehicle?

A salvage title vehicle is one that has been extensively damaged, stolen or deemed a “total loss” by its owner’s insurance company and has been rebranded as a salvage vehicle. Usually, the insurance company buys the car off the owner and wants to get rid of the car.

Here is where you come in.

In the past, you needed to have a valid U.S. auto dealer’s license to get access and purchase vehicles from Insurance Auto Auctions or Copart Auto Auctions. However, now, thanks to RideSafely.com, you can bid on thousands of salvage vehicles that are up for auction.

When bidding on salvage cars online, it is very important to understand the various kinds of damage statuses listed under every vehicle.

Learn more about what a Salvage Title actually is?

Here are some of the types of salvage vehicles that you can find online at RideSafely.com

Vandalism

Vandalism is the deliberate damage or destruction of a car. If a vehicle is vandalized to the extent that fixing it up would require more money than what the vehicle costs, it gets a salvage title. In many cases of vandalism, the damage is purely cosmetic and affects only the body of the car. This means that all its internal mechanical components remain intact and do not affect the drivability of the vehicle.

Flood Damage

As the term suggests, this type of car damage is sustained if the vehicle is flooded. This can happen when a car gets trapped in heavy rains and flood or sinks in a body of water. A flooded car receives a salvage title immediately.

Hail Damage

In many cases, damage caused by inclement weather like hail is often purely cosmetic and does not impact the vehicle’s internal functions. A vehicle that has sustained damage by hail is easy to identify as it is littered with dens and pits all over. It will also feature broken or cracked headlights, tail lights, windshield, and windows.

Theft

Different states have different laws when it comes to a salvage title of the vehicle which has been stolen. States like Arizona, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Oregon will automatically brand a vehicle that has been reported stolen with a salvage title, regardless of how much damage it has sustained. In some cases, stolen vehicles may not have any damage at all. Other states assess how much damage the vehicle has obtained during the theft and can then determine whether it deserves a salvage title or not.

Criminal front standing with two suitcases covered by hat and coat with a car behind

Non-Repairable

A non-repairable vehicle has zero resale value except for when they are used as donors for parts or scrap metal. These salvage cars are not allowed by the state to be fixed and driven on the road again.

Front End Damage

As the name suggests, a car that has received significant front end damaged is given this type of salvage title. When buying a car with extensive front end damage, it is important to carefully check the pictures of the vehicle that are available online and determine whether any serious damage was done to the engine or other key components of the vehicle. You can also hire your own independent mechanic to check the salvage car inventory offered by RideSafely.com.

Back End Damage

A car which has significant back end damage is always given a salvage title. Since most vehicles do not have any important components in the back end, repairing this kind of damage is quite easy, quick, and cost-effective. Cars with back end damage can give great value to their buyers.

Minor Dents and Scratches

These types of vehicles usually have a non-salvaged title because the damage is not severe enough to warrant a salvage title. In most cases, these are just used vehicles offered on online car auctions with a bit of wear and tear and which do not have any significant or risky issues that prevent them from going on the road.

At RideSafely, you can bid on all types of salvage cars that fit your budget. You never know, you could find your dream car with only superficial damage at our online auto auctions.