All cars on the road have a car title, there are different types of title and the way title are branded is a function of what the cars has been through in the past.
Car titles are meant to reflect whether a car is in good condition or whether it has been involved in one mishap before in the past.
A car with a clean title, means that the car is in good shape, with nothing wrong with the car.
A car that has one problem or the other will have a dirt or branded car title. Car titles differ from state to state. However, the guide that we provide here will go a long way in letting you know what type of title you have what kind of title you should look out for when you go car shopping.
What is a Car Title?
A car title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a car to a business or individual. You need a car title to sell or buy a used car. If your car doesn’t have a clean title, it doesn’t mean it cannot be sold, you can still sell a car with auto title loans other than a clean title.
Salvage, Junk, and Totaled Title
Any car with a salvage, junk, or totaled title means that the car has previously been involved in a serious accident that led to severe damages or it is an old car that has not been properly maintained. These cars will cost more than their value to repair them because more than 75% of their value has been depleted as a result of the accident. When a car is severely damaged, your insurance will declare the car a total loss. This type of cars will fall under any of the three categories here depending on the laws and guidelines in your state.
Lemon Title
A lemon title is issued to a car with major mechanical problems. Most times, these problems are design defaults from the manufacturer and not due to wear and tear arising from driving the car. There are stringent conditions that your car has to satisfy before it will be considered as a lemon, some of these cars might still be under warranty.
Lemon laws are not available in all states.
Flood Title
Cars branded with a flood title are cars that have been damaged by flood in the past. These cars were previously caught in a rainstorm, flood, flash flood, or hurricane. Although, your car is designed to handle a little bit of water but in the cases of floods and other natural disasters it can get damaged severely. Take a professional mechanic along with you to inspect a car branded with a flood title before buying.
Rebuilt or Reconstructed Title
A junk or salvage car that has been repaired and passed inspection is branded with a rebuilt or reconstructed title. Once the car is in good shape and certified to be roadworthy again, then it can get a rebuilt title. Check with your state agencies to learn more about regulations regarding rebuilt or reconstructed title.