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Purchasing Damaged Car?
A friend of mine owns an auto and impound shop. He knows I am looking for a new car and showed me one he has in impound. It's been there for a while and the owner never came to get it. Has some damage to the front end, cracked windshield, and needs air bags replaced. He said he would fix it for me and just charge me for the parts and have his friend who does body work repaint it for me.
Downside he said is that it would be issued a "reconstructed title", and I would have to fill out a lien form to get the title in my name at the DMV. Is it even worth going through with it? I don't know too much about cars, and except for the front end damage it looks new. Interior is perfect.
I don't plan on reselling the car, but driving it until it quits on me (like my current car is doing), so I don't care about it's resell value. Expert advice is appreciated ;-)
3 Answers
- 7 years agoFavourite answer
SAME AS A SALVAGE TITLE in other states. Insurance companies are required to change the title to
reconstructed title, salvage or whatever, The law causing it is to make any future purchaser of this vehicle (INCLUDING YOU) aware that it had enough damage for the insurance company declare the car a total loss. meaning cost to repair is more than price to replace it to them.
have your friend verify the frame or no major damage has occurred. Then get the total amount of cost for you to get it on the road. See what an undamaged one is worth, decide then. Value is only hurt when you try to sell it. Could be a real steal or lemon. How reliable a friend ? Car parts price have huge mark ups, that is where your friend will make his money. friend or not get written, binding estimate. Not all damage can be seen, using used airbags etc cud save tons. replacing the entire front end is called a front end clip much cheaper from a salvage yard than individual parts. good luck
- tom7railwayLv 77 years ago
This is not an expert question. If your friend's ' mechanic can get the car safe so it passes whatever test there where you live for such things, it sounds like a very generous offer you'd be foolish to turn down.
I'd be more worried if you didn't know him very well and he was trying to sell it to you for a profit.
You couldn't insure it unless it was passed fit, so if the insurance company thinks it's ok, it is.
Unless you can afford a new or nearly new car, whatever you buy will have the exact same risk you have with this car, only you'll pay a lot more.
