The Ultimate Checklist for Buying a Salvage Vehicle

Buying a salvage car may look like a great deal because you are buying it at a really cheap price compared to the cost of other used vehicles. A salvage car is one that has been totaled by the insurance company post-accident or damaged in a natural disaster. In most cases, these are repairable and can be your companion on the road for years.

People buy salvage cars not only because they can't afford a brand new or a pricey used car but for many reasons. They might use its parts in other vehicles or sell off the functional parts to make more money. Whatever the reason behind buying a vehicle with a salvage title, you need to be careful about the purchase.

Here's the checklist of how to buy a salvage vehicle:

• Have a rough idea of the model, make, and year of the car that you want to buy. Also remember that the older the car, the more maintenance it will require.
• Look for online bidding sites for repairable salvage vehicles. There are many websites where you can participate in an auction, bid for the vehicle, and make payment in case you win it.
• If you are not sure what vehicle you are looking for or don't know where to find it, see if there's a collectors club nearby. The club members will tell you great things about cars and may be a reliable source on where to buy salvage vehicles.
• When you have shortlisted a vehicle, check for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A VIN allows you to get a detailed car history report.
• Verify the maintenance records, towing events, theft data, and other historical vehicle listings through the VIN data.
• Inspect the car thoroughly before purchasing it. If possible, take a trusted mechanic along to do the inspection.
• Make a list of the repairs that he recommends be made in the car and calculate how much it will cost in terms of money and time.
• See if it is easy for you to find the replacement parts for the car. As said above, the older the car is, the harder it becomes to find parts. If you are unable to find the parts, the car might remain a garage display for you.

Many believe that buying a vehicle with a salvage title is a waste of money, but it isn’t provided you know what you are investing in. Choose the buying source carefully, don’t get obsessed with bidding and winning, do a background check of the vehicle, and take advice from an experienced car mechanic.