Hey folks,

This is one of those tricky areas where there isn't a whole lot of information available online, so I'll see if any of you can help. I found a 2001 Avant that has the perfect color combo, looks beautiful, and apparently drives beautifully as well (forum member drove and commented on how nice it was) and it only have 48k miles! The downside, it has a rebuilt title. I spoke with the dealer, it was rear impact damage near the driverside rear wheel/fender etc...

Finding out the actual value of the car is tough because insurance companies won't insure the vehicle to its normal bluebook value and I can't get them to tell me how much they will insure it to without actually going through a claim.

Has anyone here had a vehicle with a rebuilt/salvage title or know someone that does/did? Did the car have lots of mechanical or maintenance issues?

Can anyone comment on a typical insured value (20%, 50%, etc...) of a car with a rebuilt title?

Thanks in advance

 

My S4 is a salvage. You have to be REALLY careful to make sure you don't have an major problems. You'll want to get the original cause of the damage and how it was repaired for sure.

My car has had the usual B5 S4 issues, Timing Belt, TBB, Wheel Bearings, Clutch. I was able to get mine insured for the price I paid for it with no problem.

I also plan on driving it until the wheels fall off cuz it would probably be rough to resell beinga salvage and all.

 

What kind of damage did your car go through? Are there any issues that may have stemmed from the accident it was in? I was thinking of keeping this one until it dies, so resale is not much of a concern. Just a little worried about crap like the tires wearing unevenly and stuff like that that wouldn't really be visible from an inspection.

 

think you could find out where the vehicle was fixed? ... and at least see if it was fixed by a reputable body shop... or a dealer.... that i would feel better about trusting..... you'd have to get the car on an alighnment rack to check her out completely...

 

people often forget that an automobile sitting can be just as bad or worse than a car that was driven every day and has 80k miles... seals rot, bushing harden, etcetc...

I don't know what kind of money the dealership is asking but it probably is too much, concidering they have had the car for several months it sounds like. You can go out there and get a near mint condition 2000-2001 never been wrecked for 12-14 grand. So why would you pay more than 10-12 grand for a salvage title I have no idea.

Shawn

 

^ tru dat

 

Mine side swipped another car starting at about the front drivers side door. They replaced everything that was touched. And a HUGE +1 on the alignment rack. I had mine thoroughly checked out and aligned properly.

 

I used to have a car with a salvage title. When I sold the car I was trying to figure out the resale value so after asking everyone else I called my insurance company (American Family Ins). The adjuster for them told me as long as the car has been repaired, the salvage title will usually knock the value of the car down by 15%. Hope this helps.

 

STAY AWAY, never get an salvage titled car. I worked at a huge NY auction site take my word they are never worth it for so many reasons. But that's just my opinion and experience.

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

Audi_ops,

Can you tell me more? Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks.