what does it mean when people are talkin about salvaged cars? whats the disadvantage of having a salvaged car?

 

CA DMV says:
Total Loss Salvage Vehicle

A "total loss salvage vehicle" is a vehicle (other than a nonrepairable vehicle*) that has been wrecked, destroyed, or damaged to an extent that the:

registered owner,
leasing company,
financial institution, or
insurance company which insured the vehicle,
considers it uneconomical to repair the vehicle, and because of this, the vehicle is not repaired for the vehicle owner at the time of the event resulting in damage.
This type of vehicle cannot be sold or transferred without first obtaining a Salvage Certificate.

* A nonrepairable vehicle is a vehicle that cannot be restored to highway use. This type of vehicle has either been stripped or burned or has no resale value except for parts or for scrap.

What Is a Salvage Certificate?

A Salvage Certificate is issued in lieu of an ownership certificate for a vehicle that has been declared a total loss. This certificate can only be requested in the name of the registered owner or insurance company. The Salvage Certificate becomes the ownership document.

Why Do I Need a Salvage Certificate?

You need the Salvage Certificate as proof of ownership. If you sell or otherwise transfer the vehicle, you must release ownership of the vehicle on the certificate and give it to the buyer.

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Basically, a salvage title vehicle will be worth much less than a comparable vehicle with a clean title, and you know that has already been in a serious accident, been stripped by thieves, or had some other very serious damages.

 

To determine the disadvantages to having a salvaged car, you must know first WHY the car was salvaged. A theft recovery with replaced parts isn't going to be a big deal. My own car falls under this circumstance.

If it's been in a wreck...stay away.

It will also sometimes be harder to get it financed, and will also sometimes be harder to insure.

The resale value will also take a bit of a hit.