Can I reverse a CA salvage title?

ckissick · 12-03-2007, 07:21 AM

I've tried the search function to no avail. I also tried the DMV website and found nothing.

My 1970 911E has a salvage title. There's no evidence of a wreck or flood damage. The PO never knew why it had a salvage title. The car is in very good condition.

Can I get the salvage title removed by the CA DMV?

legion · 12-03-2007, 07:28 AM

I could be salvage because the cost to fix a scratch exceeded its value.

And I wouldn't try to get that reversed. You could find yourself the victim of a lawsuit in the future if you do...

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

I think the only way to find out is to (gulp!) walk into the DMV and start getting shuttled around from window to window....good luck with that!

I've never heard of anyone trying this but the answer ought to be VERY interesting. Not to mention, if you pull it off....what will your insuracne company do? My guess would be they'd STILL only insure it at a reduced value no matter what you tell them.

P.S. Legion's right. You'd have to divulge that it ONCE had a salvage and once you do that you've lost all the value of having done it!

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I think it's a lot easier to scrub a title in Texas, so you might want to team up with someone there.

One of the reasons (I'm told) to never buy a car from TX.

legion · 12-03-2007, 07:37 AM

There are people who specialize in "title washing". They usually end up in jail. It's an art akin to money laundering.

I'm sure the DMV will treat you like you have just sprouted a second flourescent pink head that spouts show tunes...

Palum6o · Palum6o's Garage

At some point in the car's history, wouldn't there have bee a reported event?

MattKellett · MattKellett's Garage

If there's no damage to the car, I supect the car could have been a thieft recovery. This would give it a salvage title.

As to having the salvage removed from the title, I think you are out of luck in CA. I am not sure of the states invlved in this, someone mentioned Texas, but I've heard when a salvage vechile moves to one of these states, the title no longer says salvage.

Matt

legion · 12-03-2007, 08:02 AM

But a simple Carfax will show that the car's title was washed.

tcar · 08:06 AM

Can't do a carfax on cars older than '81.

Must have the 17 digit VIN.

Superman · 12-03-2007, 08:23 AM

I know a guy who washed a title here in Washington State. No trickery. It's just a matter of passing a WSDOT or WSP inspection. Lights work, brakes work, etc. Fairly easy, he said. But yes, the salvage title will be part of the vehicle's history, and all this should be disclosed if the car is sold.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 12-03-2007, 09:02 AM

you can do it in CA. Just a lot of time and frustration involved..

Superman · 12-03-2007, 09:33 AM

BTW, I recently heard of a 993, badly bent in a collision, that was restored so well it won a national concourse event outright. So while it is true that crash evidence usually exists after a "repair," there are folks who can "restore" a car beyond the ability of experts to detect.

ckissick · 12-03-2007, 10:39 AM

Thanks for the advice, all. I suppose if I ever do sell it, the buyer will just have to shrug off the salvage and consider the car as it is. That's what I did when I bought it from a friend.

Zeke · 12-03-2007, 01:54 PM

The reason for salvage titles is obvious until it doesn't work. In my case 4000K worth of damage to my truck gave me a salvage title. If I had a new(er) truck, that wouldn't have happened. Same damage on various vehicles produces different results. Where's the parity in that?

AFA theft recovery, that's a plausible answer as to why the '70 E has a salvage title. So, no wreck, a perfect car and it has to have a salvage title. Well, that's BS to me. However, if we didn't have these laws, the crooks would be running more rampant than they already are.

Seems to me that an "appeal" to the title would be a fair thing. Let us know if you find out anything. And, according to Grady Clay, for money, the CA DMV will do a deep search on the car.

In conclusion, if the car does not have an original engine, or trans, or has had an extraordinary repair that cannot be detected, it might still be best that these laws are the way they are. It wasn't fair to me, but maybe next time it will work for me.

I'd buy a salvage car in a heartbeat IF I could determine why the ST and IF I could get comprehensive and collision ins, which thru my current ins co (USAA), I can't.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

"Depreciation", "book value" and "total loss value" are concepts invented to accomplish exactly three things:

1. Make money for insurance companies
2. Make money for banks
3. Keep people buying new cars