Title Information

Each state has various rules regarding vehicle titles. Make sure you understand the issues related to a given type of title within your state prior to purchasing a vehicle with anything other than a clean title.

Vehicle title is determined from the legal status of the title, obtained from either a statement by the seller or from the actual title document. NOTE: Vehicle history records may exist in 3rd party databases (CarFax, etc.) or other external sources, which HAVE NOT altered the legal status of the vehicle title!

Clean Title

A clean title, or clear title, is assigned to a vehicle with no previous Salvage notations. Please note that some clean or clear titles may have a salvage history. To check the history of your vehicle please visit carfax.com

Theft Title

This is a variation of a clean title for a vehicle which was stolen but recovered. Usually these types of titles will have some type of "theft" brand on the title.

Rebuildable Salvage

A rebuildable, or repairable, salvage title is assigned to a vehicle that has been salvaged but can be repaired. The vehicle may be retitled and resold but will carry this notation. Many states have sub- classes of salvage such as: Fire, Vandalism, Collision, Theft or Flood.

New York 907A

A New York 907A is an ownership form assigned by an insurance company to a vehicle that has been declared a total loss from Fire, Vandalism, Collision, Theft or Flood in New York State. Most other states including Pennsylvania will not accept a New York 907A as proof of ownership. Upon purchasing a vehicle with a NY 907A you must first make an appointment for a Salvage Vehicle Inspection in New York, instructions can be found here: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/salvage.htm and http://www.dmv.ny.gov/salvexam.htm. After you have passed the New York Salvage Vehicle Inspection you will be mailed a New York Salvage Certificate which you can take to your state to complete the reconstructed title process.

Damaged Title / Rebuilt Title

A general term for a rebuildable vehicle with salvage history.

Salvage Receipt

A term used by some states, such as Texas, to denote a salvage title.

Unrebuildable / Junk Title

This term denotes an unrebuildable vehicle. Vehicles possessing a Bill of Sale can be exported but the purchaser should determine their countries or states laws and how they handle these types of documents.

Bill of Sale

An Unrebuildable Salvage title is assigned to a vehicle that has been declared a total loss resulting from Fire, Vandalism, Collision, Theft, Flood or other occurrence that CANNOT be repaired. Due to excessive damage it is saleable only as parts. The vehicle can never be re-titled or re-registered. These vehicles are often listed as "EXPORT ONLY"

Scrap Title

A variation of the unrebuildable salvage / junk title. The vehicle is useful only as parts or raw materials but some states and countries will accept these documents as proof of ownership. It is up to the individual to determine if they can use these types of documents.

Certificate of Destruction

A variation of the unrebuildable salvage / junk title. The vehicle is useful only as parts or raw materials, again the individual must determine if these types of documents are acceptable in their final destination or country.

YOU MUST CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE RE-TITLING PROCESS FOR SALVAGE VEHICLES/REBUILT TITLES.THE PROCESS FOR SALVAGE TITLE VEHICLE EXAMINATION VARIES FROM STATE TO STATE AND COUNTRY TO COUNTRY. ALPINE AUTO GALLERY ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON ITS WEBSITE ,BUT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILTY OF THE PURCHASER AND OR HIS AGENT TO VERIFY STATE AND COUNTRY SPECIFIC LAWS..

Vehicle Title procedures in USA state-by-state

Vehicle Title Information