Car Title Types Explained
The title brand is one of the most important factors in any auction purchase. It determines whether you can drive the vehicle, how you can insure it, and what it will cost to make it road-legal. This guide covers every title type you'll encounter on AutoRetta.
Quick reference
Understanding the risk scale
The risk level shown on each title reflects the typical complexity and uncertainty involved in purchasing that title type — not necessarily the cost of the vehicle. A "high risk" title can still be a good deal if you know what you're doing.
Low Risk
Moderate
Caution
High Risk
Parts / Export Only
Detailed breakdown
Clean / Clear Title
Low RiskNo brands on record. The closest thing to a regular used car at auction.
A clean title means the vehicle has never been declared a total loss, branded as salvage, or flagged with any major negative history by a state DMV. The vehicle may have had accidents or repairs — a clean title only confirms the vehicle was never totaled by an insurer.
- A clean title does not equal a clean history. Always run a VIN check (Carfax, AutoCheck) regardless of title status.
- Some states have higher total-loss thresholds — a vehicle that would be salvage in one state may carry a clean title from another.
- Clean-title vehicles at salvage auctions may still have significant damage not yet reflected on the title.
Salvage Title
CautionAn insurer declared it totaled. Can be repaired and retitled — but there are steps.
A salvage title is issued by a state DMV when an insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss (repair cost ≥ threshold, usually 70–80% of ACV) and takes ownership. The state then brands the title "Salvage" so future buyers know the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle cannot legally be driven until it is repaired and passes a state inspection.
- Total-loss thresholds differ by state — the same car could be "salvage" in one state and "clean" in another.
- Structural damage (frame, unibody) is expensive to repair correctly and may affect long-term safety.
- Airbag deployment adds significant cost — replacement airbags, sensors, and control modules can exceed $3,000+.
- Budget for inspection fees and potential re-inspection if the vehicle fails the first time.
- Some states have a waiting period before you can apply for a rebuilt title.
Rebuilt / Reconstructed Title
ModerateWas salvage, has been repaired, and passed a state inspection.
A rebuilt (sometimes called "reconstructed") title is issued when a previously salvage vehicle has been repaired to a roadworthy standard and passed a state DMV inspection. The "rebuilt" brand stays on the title permanently — it cannot be washed clean — but the vehicle can be registered and legally driven.
- Quality of the rebuild varies enormously — there is no standard for HOW well a vehicle must be repaired, only that it meets minimum safety specs at inspection.
- Ask for or look up the original salvage auction records, photos, and repair invoices if available.
- Rebuilt title vehicles sell for 20–40% less than equivalent clean-title vehicles at retail — factor that into resale calculations.
- Some lenders won't finance rebuilt-title vehicles, which can affect your buyer pool if you resell.
Flood / Water Damage Title
High RiskWater intrusion was severe enough to total the car. Electronics and structure may never fully recover.
A flood title (or flood-branded salvage title) is issued when an insurer totals a vehicle primarily due to water damage. This includes vehicles submerged in floods, hurricanes, or storm surge, as well as vehicles with significant interior water intrusion. The flood brand is a specific subset of salvage.
- Modern vehicles have 50–150+ electronic control modules. Water damage to even one can cause cascading electrical failures that are nearly impossible to diagnose or cost-effectively repair.
- Mold and biohazard contamination in HVAC systems can persist for years and affect air quality inside the cabin.
- Rust progresses from the inside out — frame rust and hidden corrosion may not be visible at the time of purchase but will worsen.
- Salt water (storm surge, coastal flooding) causes exponentially more damage than fresh water.
- Be skeptical of flood vehicles listed as "runs and drives" — many temporarily operate but fail within months.
Non-Repairable Title
Parts / Export OnlyThe state has determined this vehicle cannot be legally repaired and put back on the road.
A non-repairable title (also called "parts only" in some states) is issued when a vehicle is so severely damaged that the state has determined it should never be retitled for road use in that state. It is a permanent brand. The vehicle can be dismantled for parts or exported, but cannot be driven on public roads in the issuing state.
- You cannot legally drive this vehicle on any public road in the state that issued the title.
- Do not confuse non-repairable with rebuilt — once non-repairable, there is no path back to road-legal status in most states.
- Confirm parts availability before paying a premium — the value is only in the harvested components.
- Export regulations vary by country — research your destination market before purchasing for export.
Certificate of Destruction (COD)
Parts / Export OnlyIntended to be destroyed. The most restrictive title brand — parts or scrap only.
A Certificate of Destruction is the most severe title brand. Some states specifically issue CODs (rather than standard non-repairable titles) for vehicles they want to see scrapped entirely — not just parted out. The vehicle is intended to be crushed or destroyed, with the title surrendered to the state upon destruction.
- Verify the title type carefully — the distinction between "salvage", "non-repairable", and "COD" matters enormously for what you can legally do with the vehicle.
- Some auction platforms list COD vehicles without clearly flagging the title brand. Always read the full title status on the source listing.
- There is no path to road use — do not purchase one expecting to rebuild or export for road use.
Lemon Law Buyback
ModerateA manufacturer repurchased this vehicle from its owner under lemon law. Lower risk than salvage — but still branded.
A lemon law buyback title (sometimes just called "lemon") is issued when a manufacturer repurchases a vehicle from its original owner due to persistent defects covered by state lemon laws. The manufacturer must disclose the repurchase and the state brands the title accordingly. The defect(s) may or may not have been repaired before the vehicle was re-sold.
- Find out what the original defect was. A minor infotainment bug is very different from a transmission or engine issue.
- Ask whether the manufacturer actually repaired the defect before resale. Request any available repair records.
- Some lemon law buybacks have very low mileage and may represent genuinely good value — evaluate case by case.
- The lemon brand can affect financing and resale, similar to a rebuilt title but to a lesser degree.
Which title is right for me?
I want a daily driver with minimal hassle
Look for clean or rebuilt titles. Rebuilt can offer great value if you verify the repair quality. Avoid non-repairable and COD entirely.
I'm a mechanic / rebuilder looking for a project
Salvage and rebuilt titles are your sweet spot. Flood is possible if you specialize in it. Always account for the full cost of rebuild + inspection + re-title fees in your max bid.
I want to harvest parts or export
Non-repairable and COD titles work here. Confirm parts availability and export regulations for your destination before bidding.
I'm not sure about a specific listing
Open a support ticket and we'll help you understand the title status, what it means for your use case, and what questions to ask the auction house before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a salvage title ever become clean again?
No. Once a title has been branded "salvage" it permanently becomes "rebuilt" (or sometimes "reconstructed") after repair — never clean again. Anyone offering to "wash" a title is describing illegal title fraud.
Does a rebuilt title affect my car's resale value?
Yes, typically 20–40% less than an equivalent clean-title vehicle at retail. The exact discount depends on the make, model, quality of the rebuild, and your local market.
My state has a different name for one of these titles — what gives?
Title branding terminology varies by state. "Non-repairable" in California is "Junk" in some other states. "Rebuilt" is "Reconstructed" elsewhere. The concepts are the same — always verify with your local DMV if you're unsure.
Can I get a loan to buy a salvage or rebuilt title vehicle?
Many traditional lenders (banks, credit unions) won't finance salvage or rebuilt title vehicles. Specialty lenders and some credit unions do. A cash purchase is common in the salvage auction market.
What is "title washing" and why should I care?
Title washing is the illegal practice of re-registering a branded vehicle in a state with looser titling laws to remove the brand. A thorough VIN history report (Carfax, NMVTIS) will usually reveal the original brand even if the current title appears clean.
Title laws, thresholds, and inspection requirements vary significantly by state and change over time. The information on this page is a general guide only — not legal or financial advice. Always verify the current rules with your state DMV and consult a licensed professional if you are unsure about a specific purchase.