Salvage cars with “clean titles”

Accidents and natural disasters abound every now and then and when these happen, you can expect damages on personal properties like houses and cars For automobiles, if the damage is brutal enough, most car insurance companies will declare them to be ‘totaled,’ This happens when the costs for repair are already equal to 75 to 90 percent of the car’s value. These salvage cars are usually sent to junk yards for those who would want to buy the parts that can still be utilized.

The danger starts when unscrupulous owners secure clean titles that reveal no major damage on the automobile making it into the used-car market. If you want to avoid accidentally buying a flood-damaged vehicle, then it is wise to negotiate with reputable dealers. Another step that you can take is to check the vehicle’s VIN number and tag along a certified mechanic when checking the salvage car that you plan on buying.

Here are some red flags to look for when buying a so-called “used” or salvage car with a clean title. These are:

    * moldy odor or intense smell of deodorizer used to conceal a clear odor problem
    * rust that can be found on its metallic parts such as screws
    * obvious moisture inside the instrument pad
    * debris and silt are evident in places where they should not be found
    * the speedometer reads kilometers-per-hour (KPH) and not miles-per-hour (MPH)
    * water stains are all over
    * discoloration of door panels and seat belts


These are just some of the warning signs you should take note when buying a used or junk car. You should be extra careful especially if you discover that the car has an incorrect VIN and that its price is bizarrely low. Make sure you scrutinize the seller also since most victims succumb to those running newspaper ads and those using cell phones.