Car title check: salvage, junk & rebuilt

A vehicle's title brand is a permanent flag on its record. Knowing it before you buy is essential — a branded title dramatically affects value, insurability and safety.

Common brands

Salvage — declared a total loss by an insurer (usually heavy damage or theft-recovery). Not roadworthy until repaired and re-inspected.
Rebuilt / reconstructed — a salvage vehicle repaired and passed inspection. Legal to drive, but worth less and needs scrutiny.
Junk — fit only for parts or scrap; must not return to the road.

How to check

Title brands travel with the VIN. A history report (or a title-check service) will show any brand recorded in any state. Decode the VIN first to confirm identity, then check the title status.

For a free technical decode of any VIN (make, model, year, plant, specs), use the official NHTSA VIN decoder.

A rebuilt-title bike or car can be a bargain if repaired properly and priced accordingly — but never buy one without documentation of the damage and repair.