Anybody ever buy a truck with a salvage title?

BurbMan wrote:
The Car Fax says this one had front end damage

Carfax is a fine tool to learn some stuff about a vehicle but there are all kinds of REALLY bad things that can happen to a vehicle that will not show up. Basically, it has to go through a public database (usually DMV) to show up. One car accidents, flooding and all kinds of other things won't show up. Most insurance companies don't report to DMV or Carfax, etc.

You guys pretty much confirmed what I was thinking...this is the vehicle I was looking at from Auto Z Inc. who says they specialize in restoring salvage vehicles. The Car Fax says this one had front end damage, obviously enough to total it out, so it had to be pretty bad.

It's true that USAA will insure them, but they won't finance them....

Anyways, I found a couple closer than Utah...

Salvage title vehicles are like most questions "it depends"
Like said above it depends on the damage and who and how the repairs were done. It depends if you can absolutely know the facts of these questions.
If water is involved that's another whole can of worms.
I have avoided salvage vehicles and never bought one, mostly because every salvage vehicle has been associated with people who could not give "absolute positive proof of the damage and repair method" or did not care to share the facts.
There will be lots of people who bought and had absolutely no problems with their salvage vehicle, you will also probably hear about guys who do the rebuild and they are top quality vehicles when they are complete.
There are stories/shows on tv where they follow vehicles that have salvage/or should have salvage titles and most of those are horror stories.
I guess its one of those "you pays your money and take your chances"

Every salvage vehicle I've ever seen had small damage to the bed of the truck, or it was just a bent bumper, kind of like EVERY craiglist boat motor "starts on the first pull"

Never purchased a salvage diesel truck, but we have purchased two cars that had salvage titles. Of course did research on why they were salvage vehicles and let my mechanic give them a once over. USAA had zero problems insuring them and they both turned out to provide great service to my kids as their first cars which they used while going to college. Both are still functioning and have over 100K miles, they do not have high resell value, they were passed on to other extended family members.

Well, it’s only is good as the guy who rebuilds it. I’m not a fan of rebuilt vehicles, not saying that they are horrible but sometimes they can have everlasting issues if not rebuild correctly. Also after you purchase one, your pretty much stuck with it. In my experience... it’s a hard sell to another person due the “what ifs.” As many as I have seen over my 46 years of life so far, many are of subpar levels of overall quality after the build. Now the guy who does an amazing, correct... job is on YouTube under VEHCOR. Scott is his name and I’m amazed the amount of professional work that performs. I don’t sell cars, but have spent many of years, buying, fixing and selling them. That not my primary job by my means but a hobby that I really enjoy. That being said I’ve gotten burned several times on purchases and a few “rebuilt” cars as well. So my take is if you are deciding to head in that direction... is to get before and after pics if possible and see who did the work... also have it inspected, call you insurance for any issues with coverage. Good luck !

Older truck I would not hesitate if the price was right. Newer, no bueno!

As others have already posted, check with your insurance agent as some companies will not insure salvage titled vehicles. Also check with your state about licensing the vehicle as some states are very particular about it and some quite casual. As far as I am concerned, I would not buy the vehicle unless I could see pictures of it before repaired, receipts of all parts used to repair it, and get a thorough inspection. I would be especially concerned about airbags.

There are many manufacturers of imported substandard replacement body parts, and inferior repair facilities. I checked the Blue Star inspected vehicles, and the inspection the company was bragging about was not very meaningful in my opinion. It checked for any codes stored, battery, brakes, tires, and glass condition. Looked for visual fluid leaks, and did a test drive.

The potential for a rebuilt vehicle being unsafe or plagued with ongoing issues is great. The resale value for a rebuilt vehicle is very low and some dealers will not even take one on trade, so there are many issue to think about.

I doubt I would purchase any rebuilt vehicle.

Not necessarily a problem. And some (not newer like the one you're looking at) get totaled for a fender bender with airbag deployment. Even though the vehicle isn't structurally damaged at all.
In your case, it may be a great buy. However I would be more wary of a total from front end damage than other types of damage/incidents. Floods and front end damage are the 2 types of rebuilt I would not really consider readily.
I bought a Yukon, rebuilt, back in the day. Saw pictures. Was a soft rollover. Didn't bend any of the pillars and only blew out 1 window. And a bunch of bumps and bruises.
Was a good deal. If the cab had been smashed, no deal.

Didn't have trouble selling it either, just had to price the same consideration as I bought it for.

It depends on how well the repair was done. If it is the rebuilder who is selling it ask to see before photos, and photos of the repairs in progress. I have seen trucks with bent frames have the damaged frame swapped out for a good one. A reputable rebuilder will document the repairs.

Google search for the VIN number, you may be able to find the auction listing it will have photos.

Gary

BurbMan wrote:
Looking at a 2017 Cummins/Aisin, has salvage title due to rebuild after front end collision. Price is $10k below market. Supposedly inspected by a company called BlueStar.

I would stay away,too many potential problems

For shts n gigles
Theres Rich Rebuilt channel who buys salvage title Tesla and makes vids on rebuilding those.