Vehicle salvage title process ?? Update

[wzuber]

Hi all,
So... since my truck was totaled by the insurance Co I decided to buy it back and repair it. It's done being repaired and now I need to title it but I don't fully understand the process and am hoping someone here has this experience to help me navagate in this process as efficiently as possible.
I know it has to be inspected by either CHP or DMV. I have blank copies of the REG 343 form, my original title/ pink slip etc.
Do I need a temporary operating permit to drive it to the inspection appt.?
TIA

 

[rivermobster]

Register Your Revived Junk or Salvage Vehicle - California DMV

Collect and submit documentation for registering revived, junk vehicles and total loss/salvage vehicles that have been restored.

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[blownbullet]

You will need a smog check and California has dropped its brake and lamp inspection now are you are required to do a vehicle safety inspection good luck with that. Hopefully your car is older and has no OBD 2 connector. new vehicle safety systems Inspections include all lights all lenses. No cracked windshield. No broken mirrors all seatbelts. The vehicle is repaired correctly. No airbag warning light no oil leaks no transmission leaks tires to be good brakes to be good no tire pressure monitoring lights, spare tire no worn or damaged suspension components shock, absorbers ball joints, etc. any fenders panels or bumpers missing or damaged You can find a complete list on the California bureau of automotive repair website and yes, the DMV will need to do a Vin verification on your vehicle.

 

[timstoy]

Call your insurance company and make sure they will insure your vehicle with a salvage title. Some insurance companies will not insure salvage vehicles or may charge you a higher premium.

 

[wzuber]

Call your insurance company and make sure they will insure your vehicle with a salvage title. Some insurance companies will not insure salvage vehicles or may charge you a higher premium.

You will need a smog check and California has dropped its brake and lamp inspection now are you are required to do a vehicle safety inspection good luck with that. Hopefully your car is older and has no OBD 2 connector. new vehicle safety systems Inspections include all lights all lenses. No cracked windshield. No broken mirrors all seatbelts. The vehicle is repaired correctly. No airbag warning light no oil leaks no transmission leaks tires to be good brakes to be good no tire pressure monitoring lights, spare tire no worn or damaged suspension components shock, absorbers ball joints, etc. any fenders panels or bumpers missing or damaged You can find a complete list on the California bureau of automotive repair website and yes, the DMV will need to do a Vin verification on your vehicle.

Thx, all of that stuff is fully functional and in good or new working order.

 

[wzuber]

Call your insurance company and make sure they will insure your vehicle with a salvage title. Some insurance companies will not insure salvage vehicles or may charge you a higher premium.

My agent stated they will insure it, no problem. A higher rate for a vehicle with a deminished market value due to the title status? Sounds about right for cali.....
( but i hope not) Thx

 

[boatpi]

See the post above he pretty much nailed it look at the link it’s brake inspection, lights emissions, and they’ve been verification that could be done in person with the DMV at the time you registered you can’t use auto club. You have to make an appointment after you have that stuff done, make sure the vehicle looks right when you do take it in.

They’ll give you all the documents they may may give you an sign off in an application for a salvage title not the actual salvage certificate, which just looks like a title anyway either way you have to go to the DMV.

The technical term is a revived salvage vehicle.

 

[wzuber]

thanks guys, do I have to get a "day pass" type deal to drive it to the DmV or CHP for the inspection?

 

[Willie B]

thanks guys, do I have to get a "day pass" type deal to drive it to the DmV or CHP for the inspection?

… My ‘99 expedition that was totaled, still had the plates on it with current registration… so I just drove it to the DMV for the Vin verification… my smog guy checked whatever else was necessary… It seems to me that the brake shop that I use may have done a brake insp… if yours still has the plates, DMV will give you new plates… new registration and a salvage title mine was probably April 2024… try to do it all at the DMV… Kind of one stop shopping…

 

[Blue Oval]

My bodyshop manager bought a wrecked Excursion. It has an orange title in the state of Michigan. He finished it, got it insured and some kid ran a stop sign. Insurance company paid him off. He fixed it again and just reinsured it. Years ago insurance companies would only sell PL/PD on orange titles. Apparently that changed.

 

[OCMerrill]

Salvaged titles are a thing especially in CA. I was hell bent on buying a 2012-2018 Vette and was shocked how many had a salvage title yet wanted money very close to a non salvaged car.

I bet the path to place it back on the road is easier than one thinks.

 

[Willie B]

Salvaged titles are a thing especially in CA. I was hell bent on buying a 2012-2018 Vette and was shocked how many had a salvage title yet wanted money very close to a non salvaged car.

I bet the path to place it back on the road is easier than one thinks.

… In addition to my Expedition and my Lance camper… my Allstate insurance totaled my Dodge Ram 2500 diesel… I was supposed to get paperwork from Allstate to do a salvage title on the Dodge… There has been a dispute over the value of the Dodge… And a year later I still haven’t gotten the paperwork to do a salvage title… I probably should not have cashed the initial check. Allstate sent me for the Dodge…. I simply got tired of the hassle…. And cashed the check instead of continuing the argument of the value of the truck….

 

[rivermobster]

When I worked at Lexus of Glendale, we had a car towed in missing the interior.

Of course insurance totaled the car.

And of course, the customer bought it back and fixed it!

Totaled doesn't always mean crashed.

 

[Blue Oval]

Years of going to the auction. Lane #1 always was full of shifty characters. It was the repo lane. Those guys from Detroit would go nuts when a wrecked car would come thru. Major wrecks would come thru with green titles. Repos that had been wrecked that had no insurance. They luv them, cobble them up, no carfax report.

 

[wzuber]

Salvaged titles are a thing especially in CA. I was hell bent on buying a 2012-2018 Vette and was shocked how many had a salvage title yet wanted money very close to a non salvaged car.

I bet the path to place it back on the road is easier than one thinks.

I'm not certain but I think an airbag deployment renders a vehicle as totaled/salvage? Maybe it has to do with total value like any other scenario?

 

[LazyLavey]

Many years ago, a certain ethnicity was buying up (or acquiring in other ways ) salvage MBZs, taking them to Washington State and register there. Apparently WA at the time had no salvage titles. Then they could bring the car back down to CA and reg w/o the salvage. Don't know if WA still has that policy..

Most cars weren't damaged, mostly like theft and stripped.

Glendale/Hollywood body shops were running amuck.....

 

[GreenEnergy28]

One thing to make sure of, the door tag must be in place and legible. The tag on my 2001 Ranger was worn and you could barely read it. Guy at the DMV told me I had to get a replacement in order to complete the VIN verification. I got lucky when I went back inside to ask how to proceed with that. The lovely lady behind the counter processed my forms and issued me the new title and registration.

 

[tobya666]

Just went through this myself last year. Biggest tips: make sure everything looks right: no cracked lights, no warning lights, clean windshield, the whole deal. DMV loves giving people a hard time if it even looks slightly off. I didn’t need a temp pass since my tags were still current, but if yours aren’t, better call and ask. Also yeah, keep that door tag clean and readable. Learned that the annoying way.

 

[nordictom]

I just finished a salvage title revival on a truck I bought, not quite done yet thought. CA DMV said it is taking 60-90 days for Sac HQ to review the paperwork to issue a salvage title.

FYI, as of Sept 2024, CA DMV calls the Brake & Light inspection a Safety Inspection, even though when they gave me my paperwork it said Brake & Light Inspection. I noticed someone already indicated that. Be aware, the shops that do this, are very picky. mine had a very small crack in the taillight lens, almost invisable. Shop failed me. They even checked the dome light, but when I told them that's not a safety item, he let it go.

NT

 

[wzuber]

One thing to make sure of, the door tag must be in place and legible. The tag on my 2001 Ranger was worn and you could barely read it. Guy at the DMV told me I had to get a replacement in order to complete the VIN verification. I got lucky when I went back inside to ask how to proceed with that. The lovely lady behind the counter processed my forms and issued me the new title and registration.

Door tag was in great shape before it went to the bodyshop and I assume they masked it when repainting the doors, fender and cab but I'll check for sure, thx for mentioning that. Did they require you to show them all the receipts for all repairs? Any before and after photos?

 

[wzuber]

I just finished a salvage title revival on a truck I bought, not quite done yet thought. CA DMV said it is taking 60-90 days for Sac HQ to review the paperwork to issue a salvage title.

FYI, as of Sept 2024, CA DMV calls the Brake & Light inspection a Safety Inspection, even though when they gave me my paperwork it said Brake & Light Inspection. I noticed someone already indicated that. Be aware, the shops that do this, are very picky. mine had a very small crack in the taillight lens, almost invisable. Shop failed me. They even checked the dome light, but when I told them that's not a safety item, he let it go.

NT

Did you chose a shop over the DMV for the inspection? Does the DMV not do the inspections anymore? Did the DMV require you to show receipts for all the repairs, parts etc.? I have all receipts but the one for the new tie rod. It's very obvious it's new because it's clean, black etc. And I have a receipt from the alignment shop. I read last night on the DMV website that "if your paid out by your insurance Co. Then the ins. Co. Is required to file the salvage title paperwork". Hopefully that gets processed quicker thru their inside track and business relationship? I guess I'll find out here soon enough. Haha
Did they give you a temp. Operating permit or are you having to wait for them to process all your paperwork? We're you able to schedule your DMV appt. On line or did you just show up and wait in line? I'm trying to schedule online but the system seems to be inoperable currently.

 

[nordictom]

Did you chose a shop over the DMV for the inspection? Does the DMV not do the inspections anymore? Did the DMV require you to show receipts for all the repairs, parts etc.? I have all receipts but the one for the new tie rod. It's very obvious it's new because it's clean, black etc. And I have a receipt from the alignment shop. I read last night on the DMV website that "if your paid out by your insurance Co. Then the ins. Co. Is required to file the salvage title paperwork". Hopefully that gets processed quicker thru their inside track and business relationship? I guess I'll find out here soon enough. Haha
Did they give you a temp. Operating permit or are you having to wait for them to process all your paperwork? We're you able to schedule your DMV appt. On line or did you just show up and wait in line? I'm trying to schedule online but the system seems to be inoperable currently.

I found a shop to do the Safety Inspection. Not sure if DMV can recommend shops. I didn't need to show any receipts.

Here's the process that I used:
Bought truck from Copart
Copart sent me Certificate of Salvage
Went to Costa Mesa DMV to get paperwork started & pay fee's (i didn't have any back fee's, but I wanted to make sure the registration was paid)
I got the truck running ( it was a theft recovery)
Drove it to HB from Devore ( had wife follow me, no permit, no one day move, etc) just bootlegged it home
Took it to Costa Mesa DMV ( no appointment needed for VIN verification) Only DMV or LEO can verify VIN on salvage vehicles.
Took it to Santa Ana Smog for safety inspection (2 times) btw, they submit your pass / fail paperwork to the DMV like the Smog paperwork. you get a copy.
Made an appointment a Costa Mesa DMV, completed the paperwork. A Supervisor needed to get involved, not sure why? ( then the DMV Tech tells me that I need to wait 60-90 days for the title) This is different than past salvage revivals. I usually received a title within a month.

I just drove the truck with no plates, cops and Chip didn't even give a second look. I had all my paperwork with me just in case.

Note: You can ask for a 1 Day trip permit ($27). You can only get the "Red" square transportation permit for Smog or registration issues. Your vehicle is already in the system.

Hope this helps. This is probably the 6th vehicle I bought to do a salvage revival, so I kinda know what needs to happen. Alot depends on who you get as a DMV tech also.

NT

 

[rivermobster]

I'm not certain but I think an airbag deployment renders a vehicle as totaled/salvage? Maybe it has to do with total value like any other scenario?

Airbag deployment (its self)has nothing to do with it.

Now the COST of replacing two or three airbags? That plays into the total cost to repair Real quick!

 

[wzuber]

I found a shop to do the Safety Inspection. Not sure if DMV can recommend shops. I didn't need to show any receipts.

Here's the process that I used:
Bought truck from Copart
Copart sent me Certificate of Salvage
Went to Costa Mesa DMV to get paperwork started & pay fee's (i didn't have any back fee's, but I wanted to make sure the registration was paid)
I got the truck running ( it was a theft recovery)
Drove it to HB from Devore ( had wife follow me, no permit, no one day move, etc) just bootlegged it home
Took it to Costa Mesa DMV ( no appointment needed for VIN verification) Only DMV or LEO can verify VIN on salvage vehicles.
Took it to Santa Ana Smog for safety inspection (2 times) btw, they submit your pass / fail paperwork to the DMV like the Smog paperwork. you get a copy.
Made an appointment a Costa Mesa DMV, completed the paperwork. A Supervisor needed to get involved, not sure why? ( then the DMV Tech tells me that I need to wait 60-90 days for the title) This is different than past salvage revivals. I usually received a title within a month.

I just drove the truck with no plates, cops and Chip didn't even give a second look. I had all my paperwork with me just in case.

Note: You can ask for a 1 Day trip permit ($27). You can only get the "Red" square transportation permit for Smog or registration issues. Your vehicle is already in the system.

Hope this helps. This is probably the 6th vehicle I bought to do a salvage revival, so I kinda know what needs to happen. Alot depends on who you get as a DMV tech also.

NT

Right on, thank you for the insights NT. I'm hoping for a 1 and done type scenario. I'll adjust my expectations now and plan for a couple trips. I'll call my insurance Co in the morning to verify they sent the paperwork as they're required and request a copy of it for my records etc. Can't hurt to have as many pieces in my control as possible.
I'm curious now about the truck you bought. Haha would you care to share on that scenario? Sounds like a potentially good way to get a newer vehicle and save some $$$. Maybe even make a little if so inclined in the right deal? Do you have a dealers license or access to one?

 

[wzuber]

Airbag deployment (its self)has nothing to do with it.

Now the COST of replacing two or three airbags? That plays into the total cost to repair Real quick!

Makes sense, thx for the clarification.

 

[wzuber]

General question on steering wheels...
How interchangeable are they by yr. Model? The wheel on this one is a bit worn and I'd like to change it out but new is no longer avail from the dealerships based on my research. How difficult are the airbag systems to deal with in a swap scenario? Is the bag and wheel a complete unit or are they separate components? Can I swap my AB into a new wheel w/o disrupting the system? When an AB is deployed does that info get stored somewhere if the vehicle is not running?

 

[nordictom]

Right on, thank you for the insights NT. I'm hoping for a 1 and done type scenario. I'll adjust my expectations now and plan for a couple trips. I'll call my insurance Co in the morning to verify they sent the paperwork as they're required and request a copy of it for my records etc. Can't hurt to have as many pieces in my control as possible.
I'm curious now about the truck you bought. Haha would you care to share on that scenario? Sounds like a potentially good way to get a newer vehicle and save some $$$. Maybe even make a little if so inclined in the right deal? Do you have a dealers license or access to one?

I am a Copart buyer. I picked up a 2003 F350 CCSB 4x4 6.0 diesel dirt cheap. The Kicker, the Warn winch on the truck is $2800. I bought the truck by accident, put in a prebid and a few months later Copart emails me to say I won the truck. It's not perfect, but being a 4x4 6.0 diesel I couldn't go wrong. I am going to ship it to m BIL and use it at his ranch in Colorado, when we visit. I don't have a dealers license, but when I see something with a clean title, I will use a broker through Copart, you will just need to pay their fees.

Just a tip.......... don't get caught up in the bidding at Copart. I bought my boat at Copart, after a few runs though the auction, the price dropped alot. I jumped on it at the last minute, hence it was a good deal.

 

[rivermobster]

General question on steering wheels...
How interchangeable are they by yr. Model? The wheel on this one is a bit worn and I'd like to change it out but new is no longer avail from the dealerships based on my research. How difficult are the airbag systems to deal with in a swap scenario? Is the bag and wheel a complete unit or are they separate components? Can I swap my AB into a new wheel w/o disrupting the system? When an AB is deployed does that info get stored somewhere if the vehicle is not running?

Don't even think about it.

Have Louie recover it.

 

[wzuber]

Don't even think about it.

Have Louie recover it.

Does he even know how???
Ya, that or just by a cover and slip it on In the interim. It's not horrible/torn etc.just discolored but it bugs me a bit. The rest of the interior is very clean.

 

[rivermobster]

Does he even know how???
Ya, that or just by a cover and slip it on In the interim. It's not horrible/torn etc.just discolored but it bugs me a bit. The rest of the interior is very clean.

As long as it's not computer related...

Is there anything he Doesn't know how to do??

I'll probably be down there all next week. See ya soon.

 

[wzuber]

Is there anything he Doesn't know how to do??

Not if you listen to him and don't know any better....lol
I've known him for about 40 yrs now..
We know each other pretty well at this point.
He's a good dork.

 

[rivermobster]

Not if you listen to him and don't know any better....lol
I've known him for about 40 yrs now..
We know each other pretty well at this point.
He's a good dork.

Man it's gonna kill me to NOT show him this post!

 

[wzuber]

Man it's gonna kill me to NOT show him this post!

Well, don't hurt yourself there bud.

 

[wzuber]

Are you still working on your barge there?

 

[GreenEnergy28]

Door tag was in great shape before it went to the bodyshop and I assume they masked it when repainting the doors, fender and cab but I'll check for sure, thx for mentioning that. Did they require you to show them all the receipts for all repairs? Any before and after photos?

Nope. When I did mine, I had to have the brake and lamp inspection done. Once I had that paperwork I drove straight to the DMV for the VIN verification. Walked out with new plates and current reg. Only problem I had was the door tag since it was a 2001 Ford F-ing Ranger.

 

[rivermobster]

Are you still working on your barge there?

He's been chipping away at it.

 

[braindead]

General question on steering wheels...
How interchangeable are they by yr. Model? The wheel on this one is a bit worn and I'd like to change it out but new is no longer avail from the dealerships based on my research. How difficult are the airbag systems to deal with in a swap scenario? Is the bag and wheel a complete unit or are they separate components? Can I swap my AB into a new wheel w/o disrupting the system? When an AB is deployed does that info get stored somewhere if the vehicle is not running?

I didnt think it was a big deal to swap out. I've done an 07 Exploder and an 02 silverado. Bought both wheels off of car-part.com. I have no idea about swapability, is that even a word?

There was specific instructions online about how to R&R and how to rid the vehicle of electricity so the bag didn't go off accidentally.

 

[wzuber]

Update to my salvage/re-title experience:
I'm at the (hopefully) final stage of this process now that I've completed the safety inspection and smog inspection and ready to head to the DMV Monday morning.
I went on the dmv website and downloaded all the forms I thought I might need from their list of possible forms needed. So far I've only needed their #343 application for salvage title & 488C verification of vehicle forms. I went to the West Covina field office on wednesday 5/7 the last day to get your real ID and the line was long at 8:15 am, they open at 9am. When I joined the line they were already letting people in, there was approx. 100 people ahead of me. Since I was going to be there for this vehicle deal I also got my real ID. The line moved quickly and I was done with the ID process in 1 hr. then in the short line for the title deal and completed that in 1 hr. also. I was quite impressed with how efficient they have their process working there and their attitudes were pretty good considering the circumstances. They don't provided lists of safety inspection shops but a quick call to the bureau of automotive repair (BAR) netted several shops and phone #'s for my area. (pomona, la verne, chino, ontario etc.) After calling around to several shops I learned the going rate starts @ $250.00 for the safety inspection and $50.00 for the smog inspection including certs. Some shops will re-inspect once for free others want $100.00 One shop, Quality Auto Service in La Verne explained the process in detail in a manner that had me understand why it costs so much and why the dmv no longer performs them. In short, it's because of all the new technology in modern day cars and it's only going to get worse with the more "cool" shit they keep creating. I imagine self driving cars (tesla) inspection are going to be a real PIA. Additionally, the test is actually done through the smog test machine that reports directly to the dmv, hence the re-test fee if they input everything as they go thru the test on the first run. The test is about 14 pages and includes such things as measuring the brake pad thickness, tire tread thickness, lane departure light's in your side mirrors, any dash warning lights and related causes etc. I failed with a tire tread issue where the tire was worn on the outer edge from bad alignment and a leaking power steering hose. I reluctantly replaced the tire and replaced both PS hoses since they were aged out anyway. I learned/realised shops include this testing process as a means of driving business for additional repairs as was alluded to above by previous posters experiences. It sucked buying 2 new tires to pass this inspection knowing I was ordering new wheels and tires the following day. (the wheels are on a 2 week back order) The day before I had this inspection done I had replaced 1 tire at a tire shop as it had plastic bumper material stuck in the bead from the car that hit me. I'm looking forward to being done with this process early Monday morning after my last trip to the dmv and surrendering my current license plates with the title for a new legal setup. I hope this info. is interesting and helpful to someone down the road.