Is a salvage title bad? What it means before you buy
A salvage title is issued when an insurer declares a vehicle a total loss — usually because repair costs exceeded 70–90% of its value after an accident, flood, theft or other damage. A rebuilt (or "reconstructed") title means a salvage vehicle was repaired and passed a state inspection to return to the road.
The risks: hidden structural or flood damage, safety systems that were never properly restored, much lower resale value, and difficulty getting full insurance coverage or financing.
When it can be worth it: a salvage/rebuilt car can be a bargain (often 20–40% cheaper) if the damage was cosmetic or minor, it was professionally repaired, and a trusted mechanic inspects it first. Always get the title history and an independent inspection.
Run the VIN on CarLogs and unlock the full history report to see title brands, salvage and total-loss records before you commit.