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I found a Fit but it has a salvage title. Should I even think about it or keep looking for one that doesn't have a salvage title? I'm an old lady so I am kind of uneducated about this.
Depends on the circumstance of why it was deemed as "Salvage" or "Salvaged/Rebuilt" as well as what state it was deemed so in. Most people hear salvage title and instantly think totalled via crash, flood, or hail right. But... Things like theft recovery and vandalism also a possibly to list a car as salvage depending on the state and their verbiage.
Usually, these branded cars are sold for a substantial mark down compared to an identical model but due to being deemed as a total loss in the methods listed above. With this mark down is indeed a risk. A very good portion of those cars have questionable repairs done that may not meet the manufacturer's criteria SOOO safety indeed may be compromised if a subsequent collision may arise.
It is generally not prefered to acquire a salvage/rebuilt titled car. Adding to that, most banks won't even provide loans for vehicles branded as such and some insurance companies may not even cover the vehicle.
Like Chitown Fit said, I also would encourage taking a pass on this Fit and finding an alternative example with a clean title.
Also to help give you some further input on title status, feel free to give this VIN Wiki video a watch. Its only about 20 minutes but gives a good baseline on the subject.
The car is at a pick and pull here in Texas. It says it has a salvage title and I saw on the vin check it shows that it was in an accident and the air bags deployed.
It was a good price .. under 3000 and 97k and I am just in dire need of a car because I lost my 06 Accord when a dude wrecked it.
Originally Posted by Hootie
Depends on the circumstance of why it was deemed as "Salvage" or "Salvaged/Rebuilt" as well as what state it was deemed so in. Most people hear salvage title and instantly think totalled via crash, flood, or hail right. But... Things like theft recovery and vandalism also a possibly to list a car as salvage depending on the state and their verbiage.
Usually, these branded cars are sold for a substantial mark down compared to an identical model but due to being deemed as a total loss in the methods listed above. With this mark down is indeed a risk. A very good portion of those cars have questionable repairs done that may not meet the manufacturer's criteria SOOO safety indeed may be compromised if a subsequent collision may arise.
It is generally not prefered to acquire a salvage/rebuilt titled car. Adding to that, most banks won't even provide loans for vehicles branded as such and some insurance companies may not even cover the vehicle.
Like Chitown Fit said, I also would encourage taking a pass on this Fit and finding an alternative example with a clean title.
Also to help give you some further input on title status, feel free to give this VIN Wiki video a watch. Its only about 20 minutes but gives a good baseline on the subject.
If you're in a financial and time crunch and need a car quickly, you can take steps to determine if a salvage-title vehicle might be okay.
Most importantly, have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic. Questionable repair work isn't difficult to spot if you know what you're looking for. For example, a person experienced in fixing and painting damaged vehicles can spot a repaired vehicle in a few seconds and determine if the repair work was done correctly nearly as quickly.
If you don't have or can't find a mechanic that you trust to give an honest assessment of a salvage vehicle, you should probably keep looking.
I bought a salvage 09 Sport with 197K for $2800. It runs and drives pretty well. The rear hatch was slightly crunched in and replaced, that was enough to total it but it's fine now. Doesn't even leak.
