Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

SShink · 3K+ Club

Buying a used vehicle-Damaged Title Question

SShink · 3K+ Club

I'm looking at an '02 Ford Escape for my son, and I found one that has a 'damaged vehicle' title, not salvage, and I'm not sure what that's all about. The vehicle was in an accident, and the drivers rear frame corner was bent and has been repaired. He has the receipt and has been fully open about it.

Anybody know what this means, and if it will be harder to insure?

Anybody looking for a used '98 Jeep Cherokee for a good high school or cabin vehicle? That's what I'm selling.

Here's the Escape:http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=306731020&dealer_id=505844&car_year=2002&doors=&model=ESCAPE&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&search_type=both&min_price=&dealership_view_name=www.kkautoranch.net&drive=&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&end_year=2013&make2=&engine=&transmission=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&suppressStyle=null&resultCar=null&max_price=&make=FORD&cardist=0

SShink · 3K+ Club

Found this about a 'clear salvage' title:

http://www.dmv.org/mn-minnesota/salvaged-vehicles.php

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Isnt a damaged vehicle title the same as a salvage title?

SShink · 3K+ Club

Chris R wrote:
Isnt a damaged vehicle title the same as a salvage title?

Chris, you must not have looked at the link I posted:

How to Apply for Clear Salvage Status

To apply for clear salvage status, submit the following items to a Minnesota DVS location:

Current Minnesota salvage title if one was issued

Affidavit of Reconstruction

Original receipts for all major replacement parts

Passed salvage inspection report

Payment for $30 Inspection fee and an $8.50 filing fee

When the requirements to clear a salvage title in Minnesota have been met, the vehicle may be subject to branding, and may be branded "prior salvage." If it is branded, each subsequent title issued for that vehicle will also be branded "prior salvage." If a vehicle is not subject to branding, a clear Minnesota title will be issued.

Lost in the 60s · President

5k for a 9 year old vehicle with a salvage title seems rather high. What are similar cars with a clean title and 120k miles selling for ? Salvage cars usually sell for 40-50% less.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
5k for a 9 year old vehicle with a salvage title seems rather high. What are similar cars with a clean title and 120k miles selling for ? Salvage cars usually sell for 40-50% less.

Good question. For a clear title vehicle, they are $300-500 more. I'm going to look around some more. I attached pics of the rear frame repair. The dealer did have receipts for the bumper cover and showed me the MN state inspection. No receipt for the frame repair though.

He would give me $800 for the Jeep, which is pretty good since it's pretty rough cosmeticallly. Everything works other than the AC.

The Escape does ride and drive good, and is in clean shape. I had my son drive it while I followed him, and it tracked straight.

Lost in the 60s · President

SShink wrote:
Lost in the 60s wrote:
5k for a 9 year old vehicle with a salvage title seems rather high. What are similar cars with a clean title and 120k miles selling for ? Salvage cars usually sell for 40-50% less.
Good question. For a clear title vehicle, they are $300-500 more. I'm going to look around some more. I attached pics of the rear frame repair. The dealer did have receipts for the bumper cover and showed me the MN state inspection. No receipt for the frame repair though.
He would give me $800 for the Jeep, which is pretty good since it's pretty rough cosmeticallly. Everything works other than the AC.
The Escape does ride and drive good, and is in clean shape. I had my son drive it while I followed him, and it tracked straight.

I'd have a hard justifying that vehicle for any more than 3.5k. You know you'll get beat to death on the resale when you want to sell it with that title.

Lost in the 60s · President

SShink wrote:
We're not buying this for a long term vehicle. If we get 4 years out of it for him to drive to college out of the city, it will depprecate that much anyway, and the salvage thing may not be that big of a deal at that time.
The gap is really about $1K. Here's the same vehicle/mileage for $5950 http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ctd/2819755072.html
The first one gets rid of the Jeep without having to mess with selling it, which has some value too.

-- Edited by SShink on Saturday 28th of January 2012 04:24:07 PM

-- Edited by SShink on Saturday 28th of January 2012 04:26:55 PM
3.5k plus the Jeep @ 800 = $4,300. Use the salvage title as a bargaining tool. 4.3 is a fair price.

Dave Seitz · Mega Poster

Check the Insurance cost on that first, if it is listed as an SUV ins will be higher then car or truck. Here is the place that I bought my last 2 cars from and though they are higher then some auctions lower mileage cars. They have a Malibu with a light dents and damage for $4850 with 28,000 miles on it and some other low mileage cars. Cars like that Malibu will get him through school and then some he will need really good MPG and that should pull aprx 28-30 easy. Here is the link and if you want me to look one over let me know.

http://www.blrepairables.com/Default.aspx