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TorqueDog · 03-02-2023, 02:04 PM

Rebuilt titles can be a funny thing. A car is branded salvage when it is written off by the insurer, but damage isn't the only reason. A vehicle that has been stolen and recovered after the insurance has been paid out is considered salvage before being recertified as roadworthy and given the title 'rebuilt'. And even damage, as with the vehicle you're looking at, that might not tell the whole story either. Parts on modern vehicles are more expensive than they used to be while not necessarily being worth any more, lowering the amount at which point an insurer will say "Screw it, we're not fixing this, take your money". It may be down to a few hundred bucks in repair costs that separates a salvage/rebuilt vehicle from an unbranded title vehicle that was fixed after a similar collision.

A PPI is still a good idea because that's what is going to check overall condition and operation of the vehicle; how are the brakes, the suspension, steering, etc. Is it leaking fluids? Your PPI will look at those things. A rebuilt inspection is making sure that the vehicle has been repaired to a degree that it is safe to operate on public highways again.

Resale is always going to take a hit on a rebuilt vehicle, so if you plan on keeping this thing a long enough time such that resale is a non-issue, get a PPI and go from there. Personally, I would consider a rebuilt vehicle under a few circumstances:
- the repairs have been done correctly
- it passes a PPI with no / minimal acceptable faults
- it is WAY cheaper than similar mileage, condition, and equipment/trim-level vehicles that do not have branded titles

Rebuilt vehicles lose the balance of any manufacturer warranty once the title is branded IIRC, so for newer vehicles this is another reason why it should be significantly discounted.

If the shop you're getting the PPI from is willing, maybe ask them to look over the front end for any signs that the rebuild work was questionable. Lastly, check with your insurer to make sure there's no surprises in insuring a branded title vehicle with them.

03-02-2023, 02:04 PM	#4449
TorqueDog Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Calgary - Centre West Exp:	Rebuilt titles can be a funny thing. A car is branded salvage when it is written off by the insurer, but damage isn't the only reason. A vehicle that has been stolen and recovered after the insurance has been paid out is considered salvage before being recertified as roadworthy and given the title 'rebuilt'. And even damage, as with the vehicle you're looking at, that might not tell the whole story either. Parts on modern vehicles are more expensive than they used to be while not necessarily being worth any more, lowering the amount at which point an insurer will say "Screw it, we're not fixing this, take your money". It may be down to a few hundred bucks in repair costs that separates a salvage/rebuilt vehicle from an unbranded title vehicle that was fixed after a similar collision. A PPI is still a good idea because that's what is going to check overall condition and operation of the vehicle; how are the brakes, the suspension, steering, etc. Is it leaking fluids? Your PPI will look at those things. A rebuilt inspection is making sure that the vehicle has been repaired to a degree that it is safe to operate on public highways again. Resale is always going to take a hit on a rebuilt vehicle, so if you plan on keeping this thing a long enough time such that resale is a non-issue, get a PPI and go from there. Personally, I would consider a rebuilt vehicle under a few circumstances: - the repairs have been done correctly - it passes a PPI with no / minimal acceptable faults - it is WAY cheaper than similar mileage, condition, and equipment/trim-level vehicles that do not have branded titles Rebuilt vehicles lose the balance of any manufacturer warranty once the title is branded IIRC, so for newer vehicles this is another reason why it should be significantly discounted. If the shop you're getting the PPI from is willing, maybe ask them to look over the front end for any signs that the rebuild work was questionable. Lastly, check with your insurer to make sure there's no surprises in insuring a branded title vehicle with them. __________________ -James GO FLAMES GO.