Rebuilt Title
A salvage-titled vehicle that has been repaired and passed a state safety inspection.
A rebuilt title (sometimes called "rebuilt salvage" or "reconstructed") is the title issued when a vehicle that previously held a salvage title has been repaired to road-worthy condition and passed a state-mandated safety inspection. The inspection process varies by state but typically requires submitting receipts for parts and labour, presenting the vehicle physically for examination, and paying a reinspection fee.
A rebuilt-title vehicle can be legally registered and driven, and most states allow it to be insured (though comprehensive coverage is often refused or surcharged). Resale value runs about 20–40% below a clean-title comparable depending on damage severity and rebuild documentation. Lender financing is harder to get; many auto lenders refuse rebuilt titles outright or require much larger down payments.
Rebuilt titles transfer with the vehicle permanently — the original salvage event remains visible on the title and on NMVTIS reports. Some states rebrand more aggressively than others (a Florida rebuilt vehicle moved to Texas may be re-issued as a salvage title in Texas), so buyers crossing state lines should verify treatment with their local DMV before purchase.