Used Car
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Used Car Inspections
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and Misconceptions
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is Not an Inspection
on the Road Again
Individual Seller?
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2.5 million vehicles are totaled
each year
(Accident & Flood damage). "Consumer
Reports"
Each year there are over 400,000 vehicles that are "Totaled", sold
for salvage, and are now back on the road again. (Hurricane Katrina put in
additional 450,000 vehicles that year) One third of the totaled vehicles on the road today will have no documentation to show that the vehicle
was once declared as salvage. One of the big concerns for used car buyers is the way the used car
industry recycles vehicles that have been totaled back onto the used car lots. These once salvaged
vehicles create a financial and safety risk for the general public.
There are many ways that salvage vehicles return to the road. Here is just one example. A vehicle is declared a total loss by an insurance company, either by collision damage, fire, flood, theft recovery, etc. A total loss means the vehicle can not cost-effectively be repaired to mechanical and/or structural safety standards, and should be cannibalized for parts only. The title is then normally surrendered back to the State, and the State would issue a salvage certificate. The salvage wreck is then sold to a salvage yard or through a salvage auction.
Many of these salvage vehicles will only have the cosmetic parts fixed leaving structural components still damaged and not repaired. While these cars may look good with a fresh coat of paint, they are structurally and mechanically unsound and worth only a fraction of the book value. Once again, these repaired vehicles were declared "Totaled". Today's cars are built using robots to make precise welds. These welds are made in a enclosed environment on perfectly formed metal to create a structural cage designed to protect the passengers. When a vehicle is in an accident, the structural components absorb the energy of an collision by crumpling and deforming the frame to protect the passenger compartment. Once these repair shops have cosmetically repaired these salvaged vehicles (and get them to roll down the street in a straight line), they are ready to be sold in the used car market. But what about the title? A car rebuilt from salvage should have the designation of "Recondition"
or "Rebuilt" on its title. "Reconditioned" or "Rebuilt" means the vehicle was Once these vehicles have a "Clean" title, it is easy to get them to the auctions or sell them directly to the public. These once salvage vehicles can end up at reputable dealerships. Also, there are many used car dealers, wholesalers, auctions, and curbstoners that will sell vehicles that have questionable histories. The incentive is profit. Dealers and individuals can make twice the profit on selling a used car rebuilt from salvage versus a normal used car in good condition. Ultimately, the general public will purchase, finance, and drive these vehicles not knowing that they once were totaled. Recondition vehicles are not recommended for purchase. These cars may have chronic mechanical problems and there is no way to determine if the vehicle is structurally sound. In a minor collision, the car's frame is likely not to protect the passengers. Rebuilt wrecks are not subject to federal safety standards. Totaled vehicles from flood damage may not have any structural problems.
However, these cars will have chronic electrical, mechanical, and rust problems that will
greatly decrease the value of the vehicle.
The only way to determine the vehicle's true condition is by a professional mechanical,
electrical, and frame inspection. Auto P. I. Inspectors are Lemon Detectors®
and will detect if the
vehicle was in an accident, the extent of the damage, and the quality of repairs.
An Auto P. I. professional inspection can determine if the vehicle was in a minor fender bender or
was it rebuilt from salvage, even if the title has been "Cleaned".
Don't Buy a Used Car With Past or Current Problems (512) 454-5999
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However, unethical repair shops and dealers can buy these salvage
vehicles. They will either try to repair these totaled vehicles or they will cut off
or "Clip" the good sections off and reassemble these sections to create a another vehicle.
rebuilt from salvage.
However, these titles can be "Washed" or "Cleaned" by simply
transferring the title back and forth to another state which does not include
"Recondition" or other discrepancies on their titles.
