About how much does a salvage title change value?

https://www.dmv.nh.gov/node/2486#:~:text=A%20%22Salvage%20Title%22%20certificate%20will,been%20declared%20a%20total%20loss.

As I mentioned for my 2012 VW Golf R I paid $13k when the book value was $18-20k. 50% devalue seems crazy to me but each state handles it different.

Here in NH they have to pass a stringent inspection but they are good cars. Cannot get a loan from a bank but insurance is no issue.

As far as "forever vehicle" I don't car if we drive this car into the ground. I bought the thing last November and have certainly got my 13 grand back in fun. 400+ hp in an AWD 3400# car? Yes please.

preach (dudeist priest) said:

 

As I mentioned for my 2012 VW Golf R I paid $13k when the book value was $18-20k.

The above actual purchase jives with estimates of 25% to 40% off retail (or 75% to 60% of full retail) as mentioned in earlier posts.  

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

In my experience many / most insurance companies won't write comprehensive or collision coverage on a rebuilt title vehicle, but will provide liability and take no exception to legally registering the vehicle in accordance with the given state's procedure.

The value of a salvage/rebuilt vehicle is highly variable.  That's not your main issue.  The real issue is that if you ever do resell it, you've effectively reduced your market to about 5% of the normal market.  95% of the population that is looking for that exact car will not even vaguely consider it... won't email or call, they'll just completely ignore the ad.

That's where the real price hit comes.  Since you're reducing your market to a few people, you have to accept whatever they offer.

I had a rebuilt GMC Sonoma ZQ8.  It had been sideswiped and I was one of the estimators who looked at it.  I ended up buying it from the shop that re did it.  It was cosmetic only.  I knew it was a wonderful truck, but try getting anyone to even listen to the story.  It took me a year and a half to sell it, and I had to deliver it 400 miles just to get rid of it.

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

I'm not doubting you, but I just went through this with GA. 
 

Motor Vehicles was VERY clear that the insurance company had retained ownership, and that NO ONE else could rebuild. Professional rebuilder agreed, and said a salvage title was nearly impossible (refused the job). Insurance company had no interest in releasing title. 

Must have been something unusual about that particular situation.  My Boxster is a rebuilt title here in GA, had no issues...beyond the fact the DMV is slow as berkeley.  

As the insurance company, we want to sell salvage vehicles ASAP, we do not want ownership of them.  We ride Coparts' butt to sell our cars quickly.

My '04 Jaguar XJ8 has a rebuilt title.  It was repaired a number of years ago.  Here in NY, I had no trouble insuring it (Comprehensive) or registering it.  The PO was able to give me the paper work, but was not required.  It's a car I really wanted.  I did get it for a good price, and I'll worry later when it's time to move it on.

If you have an old enough vehicle they don't even bother branding the title.

My 98 Ram was totaled earlier this year, when my son rear ended someone. I chose to keep it and there was no title change required. The registration stayed in effect and the insurance company just removed the comp and collision coverage.

We were able to replace the nose and put it right back on the road. 

I wonder what the most common types of buyers of branded title cars are... The few times I've inquired on salvage title cars that were supposedly minor/cosmetic damage only, I asked for photos and/or documentation of the damage, and proof of repairs performed. Even better would be photos of the car disassembled to the point of showing any possible hidden damage as well. None had, or at least was not been willing to share, even the slightest sliver of useful evidence. In those instances where the minor/cosmetic damage line is actually true, it seems to me that this would be a significant help in demonstrating the retained value if selling to more knowledgeable buyers... Even if it might likely scare away the suckers.

Driven5 said:

I wonder what the most common types of buyers of branded title cars are... 

Pretty close to 50% of total loss vehicles sold by Copart are bought by overseas buyers.  The rest are split among a wide variety of people.  Salvage yards, mom & pop dealers, hobby flippers, etc...  Who buys those cars once they are converted to branded title...who knows.  Me, for one.

Other than Copart, the other large operation is IAA (Insurance Auctions of America.)  I have a location near my home and I buy cars out of there.  I would be the hobby flipper mentioned above.  As you watch the online auctions it does not say who the bidder is but it gives the city, state of the bidder.  Or, country if out of US.  It is surprising that even out of Cleveland Ohio metro, just about anything with an international appeal gets bid one from foreign countries.  I'm taking especially, 4-Runner, Tacoma and similar. 

I see mostly central African countries and Caribbean Island countries. 

Everything gets at least a few hundred dollar bids from Convoy, GA the home of Pull-a-Part who has a Cleveland, OH presence.  Also, everything gets bid on from Antioch, TN the HQ of LKQ (the nations largest JY chain.)