Just saw this ad in offerup selling a 2019 Fit with less than 2,000 miles for $10,500 salvage title.
The guy has a licensed body shop and texted me all these photos..

 

That's a great deal so long as everything is fixed. Check AHM for warranty.

 

Well, you would know what you are getting into.
It's a salvage title, and will always be so.
That immediately lowers it's value and resale value forever, and makes insuring it more difficult.

Salvage titles don't happen unless a vehicle is damaged so severely the insurance company declares it a total loss.
However the vehicle might look, or whatever the Body Shop may say, you can never really fully know the possible extent of the damage or how well it may or may not be repaired.

Personally, if I could afford any other type of vehicle purchase I would avoid the risk.

 

You have to accept the risk. If you believe the car is ok, then it’s a good deal. Totaled just means insurer doesn’t think it can be repaired economically; but offer a smaller shop can.

Make sure Honda sensing has been recalibrated. A lot of the totals we see are pushed over the edge by the cost of front sensors; you can repair the car cheaply without them but .... it won’t work of course :P

 

You have to accept the risk?
No you don't...you can walk away from the deal.

If you believe the car is ok, then it's a good deal?
No...what the OP believes about the car, has really nothing to do with whether it's a good deal. If the OP KNOWS the car is OK...then it MAY be a good deal, but I believe with a salvaged vehicle, you can never really know. But almost everyone who get's stuck in a bad deal....at some point felt it was a good deal.

Totaled just means insurer doesn’t think it can be repaired economically; but offer a smaller shop can?
An insurance company is probably just looking at averages and spread sheet figures, but bottom line, they don't feel it's in their best interest to repair the vehicle. I don't think they care whether that repair is from a large shop, small shop or the Keebler Elves, body shop division.

That's the whole problem with a Salvaged Vehicle. You really don't want it repaired by some "small shop" that may or may not be repairing it to acceptable standards.

If the OP wants to do this deal?
Well a lot of people do buy salvaged title vehicles. But I think a lot of people get suckered in by the cheap buy in price, followed by the vehicle being newer.
All that is fine, as long as people honestly know what they are gambling on.

IMO that Honda Fit is being sold for $10,500 with a salvaged title, NOT because that makes it a great deal, but because that's what the seller is hoping they can get for it. The seller obviously paid less for it, put their time, labor and materials into it, and still they hope can sell it for $10,500. I doubt that price represents a loss for the seller.
As a salvaged title, even in best case scenario....the vehicle is repaired excellently, it's always going to be worth less than any counterpart with the same age and mileage, and often insurance companies are hesitant to insure a salvaged titled vehicle. All new vehicle depreciate in value quickly. A new vehicle with a salvaged title, it's value melts like the Wicked Witch of the West after a bucket of water is thrown on her.
Worst case scenario? Or worser case scenarios, you discover the vehicle isn't repaired so excellently and then are stuck with a vehicle in which you can't do much.
The scary thing, is vehicles can be restored to LOOK great, but there can be a myriad of problems beyond the cosmetic that can make a vehicle dangerous, and not a good deal at any price.

But that's just my opinion.

IMO unless you have body shop experience, and can really evaluate both the original extent of damage, the work needed, and the quality of the work done? It's best to avoid these deals.

 

I'd ask for pics with the front bumper removed ... how does it look UNDERNEATH the bumper cover?

bumper beam = bent?
how does the radiator supports look?
does anything appear missing or repairs appear rushed?




here's how mine looked when it got salvaged. it was just the right amount of dmg in just the right places, to declare it a total loss. IMO, it was worth a shot and I went for it (ymmv). If I can get a solid 4 yrs or 120k ish out of it, I'd consider myself happy.



NOTE: I personally would not pay 10k. 6-7k .... now that's more like it

 

That's a good point - look at the range of used Fits that are selling at private and dealer and ask at least $2-3K below that. There's going to be $2-3K in work if the salvage rebuild doesn't go well (as planned) from a frame, transmission, etc. point.

 

FWIW, my seller wanted $6999 with 23,500 miles. (I was able to talk that down a little)

 

Well I just saw this listing when I was trying to help a co-worker look for a used card under $10k. It's tempting but I told her that its a salvage title and there's a lot of risk buying this kind of car.

 

10k to spend? plenty of options.... w/o having to resort to salvage title:

https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars...81474979918891

(funny, honda fit is on there!)

 

Each salvage case is different. I once bought a salvage Toyota Corolla wagon that served me well for many years. Had it inspected before I bought it to make sure there were no hidden issues, and apparently there were none. Car died on its own.

Having said that, I'd pass on this one, if only because of the ongoing issues with the GK5 that are seemingly not resolved. If I'm taking a chance on a salvage vehicle, I don't want to deal with the injectors, starter, and VTC actuator. Door leaks in the newer models are also a concern.

 

I paid 12K for a 2018 Sport with 3000 miles on it. Of course, mine is the Orange Fury color which is known to be much faster, more economical and drives the ladies wild.

I had it check out by a 3rd party body shop and mechanic who both said the thought the repair work was excellent. The interior was basically spot less and it had a tiny stone chip or two, but otherwise was perfect.

If the repair is good, and you don't mind that it salvage title then a salvage title can be a good choice. Do realize that if you wreck it, the insurance company will be quick to call it a total loss and often will low ball you on the estimated value.