Should You Buy a Car With a Rebuilt Title?
What might seem like a good deal now could turn into a headache later
When it comes to buying a used car, you may have to make compromises on details such as mileage, color, and condition. Often deals that look a bit too good are that way for a reason. In such cases, it is possible that you’ve found a vehicle with a rebuilt title. Should you haggle accordingly or just walk away altogether?
The first thing to know is the difference between a rebuilt title and a salvage title. If a car has a rebuilt title it means it once had a salvage title because of a crash, fire, flooding, or other significant damage, but it has since been rebuilt by a mechanic and should be road-ready.
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You also want to consider resale value. If you plan on keeping the car for only a few years, you should know that selling a car with a rebuilt title usually isn’t easy. Some dealerships will accept a rebuilt title as a trade-in, but you should expect a low offer because the dealer will most likely send it straight to auction. And while you might be tempted to buy such a car in today’s high-demand, low-supply market, conditions will (hopefully) change in the years ahead. The next buyer may have many better-quality options.
The bottom line is that it’s usually not worth buying a car with a rebuilt title. In terms of safety, value, and avoiding any hassles, stick with a good used car that has been inspected by a trusted mechanic and has a clean title.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from an episode of “Talking Cars.”
