Rebuilt Car Title: What It Is, Pros And Cons As A Consumer
By Mony Shah Getting rebuilt or salvaged cars is one of the best ways to buy a cheap used car. These days, there are a lot of reputable websites, such as cars4.bid selling or auctioning such vehicles at low prices. But what exactly is a rebuilt car? And is it a good idea to buy them even though they do not cost much?
The Rebuilt Car
Whenever you see a car labeled as rebuilt, it simply means the insurance company has considered it a total loss and the car has undergone repairs for resale. This is why they tend to cost less than other vehicle types, particularly those with a “clean” title. It is also worth mentioning that once a car has a rebuilt title, it can be challenging to insure. Another thing you should also be aware of is that once a vehicle has been rebuilt, it should undergo a thorough inspection before being allowed on public roads. These issues can make you rethink buying a rebuilt car, but it is not always dark and gloomy. There are benefits to purchasing a rebuilt car besides saving money.
The Pros
- Cheaper – Cars with a rebuilt title sell for much less than new cars. You could easily save thousands of dollars. When you weigh the cost of repairs against buying a new one, you’ll quickly realize you can have it looking as good as new without spending even half what a new car would have cost.
- Damage is not always as bad as it looks – If the vehicle in question still has a sound structure and only needs other repairs, then it’s still good. The car only becomes completely unworthy when it has been in severe damage.
- They are thoroughly inspected –Â You might think driving around in a rebuilt car is scary, but it does have to pass a strict inspection to be considered roadworthy. This means you don’t have to dread thoughts of the mechanic skipping or brushing over certain parts of repairing the vehicle. They must ensure that the car they are building is insured and perfect for the road.
In addition, you can put your mind at ease by looking at the damage report from the DMV or the car reports and then at the repair list to ensure everything that was a problem has undergone repairs. Additionally, you can always have a mechanic inspect the car before you buy it to make sure everything is intact.
Cons
- Difficulty getting it insured – As mentioned earlier, getting insurance for your vehicle can be challenging, even if it is now in good shape. Some insurance companies consider cars with a rebuilt title as hazardous. This means they are more likely to get significantly damaged in an accident. There are also instances where an insurer may fail to sell collision or comprehensive insurance to cover car damages but agree to sell you liability insurance, which helps cover damage to other people or their properties.
- Car history – Even after the inspections, the damages the vehicle has suffered in the past can still haunt the car. Mechanical issues may seem fixed but later show up and cost you much more. Flooding is a type of damage to be particularly cautious of. You might miss it initially, but it may end up causing corrosion, electric system failure, or engine problems.
Conclusion
The best advice we can offer you when buying rebuilt cars is to make an informed choice. This means you need to evaluate the damage and determine whether it’s worth salvaging. There’s no better way to do that evaluation than with the help of a mechanic. So, take one with you to inspect the car before you make the purchase.
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