We get this question almost every week, partly due to the relaxed laws in Oregon. If have been looking for cars online or even at used car lots in the portland area (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Clackamas, 82nd or McLoughlin), you’ve probably run into cars with either a “Salvage Title”, “Marked Title”, “Branded Title” or something along those lines.
Car sellers are becoming more creative with their descriptions about their vehicles and more so, with their Titles, especially if it is not a Clean/Clear title. We’ve even seen people describe their cars having a “Clean Title with a Brand” or something similar to that.
Salvage/Branded titles usually mean the Car has been considered a TOTAL LOSS by the Insurance company (Greater than 70% Loss in Car Value) and have either sold the vehicle back to original owner or put it in a Salvage Auction (Copart or Insurance Auto Auctions) to sell the vehicle to either private party buyers or used car dealers who then fix the vehicle and either keep it or try to resell the car. Many, if not all, Cars with salvage or branded titles will not be approved for a car loan either, regardless of your credit score or standing. Many people end up thinking its their bad credit that prohibits them to buy a car with a bad title, but its more likely than not the actual car itself.
Many times cars with Salvage/Branded titles are not fixed properly – either due to cost savings or cutting corners in the repair process or buying aftermarket body parts rather than OEM parts. This then leads to improper fitting on the vehicle and you end up with a vehicle that was not even aligned properly, let alone what other damage it incurred.
If you are looking to buy a car with a Salvage/Branded title, we Highly Suggest getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection before buying the Vehicle. Many times, we’ll be able to dig up old photos of the vehicles in their damaged state. You would be shocked.