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This is not a re-builder!! Vehicles get totaled for a number of reasons. Most often because the cost of repairs will exceed two-thirds of book value of the car. Some are thief recovered after the claim has been settled with the insured. (These seldom have any damage to them). Older cars will total quicker because of the lower book value. Vehicles with dual airbags, total quicker because of the high price of replacing air-bags, control modules, clock springs, and other misc. sensors. In some cases, just both air bags going off will total a vehicle. Two main reasons are cost of repairs and structural integrity of the of vehicle. Of course the vehicle shown above is an extreme case which would never be consider, but a vehicle that has been in a storm or hail damage may be repairable. Most body shops, in order to do insurance work, have frame machines, alignment equipment and qualified personal to make sure the structure has returned to its original pre-crash condition. If a vehicle has been side swiped, changing a fender, door and maybe a quarter panel would not effect the structural part of the vehicle. Vehicles often get hit in the front, which often requires the changing of hoods, radiators and supports, which if repaired properly, will make a good vehicle again. Why should I buy a rebuilder? The price. If you are rebuilding yourself or having a body shop do it, you should estimate the cost, and if it can be done for less than wholesale value of the vehicle, than maybe this is the way you should go. Some body shops like to have rebuilders to keep their help busy in slow times. They will often allow you to get your own parts and they will put them on at a reduced cost. But don't expect them to drop their regular insurance work and work on yours at a discounted rate. Used parts help save you money and by recycling of used parts, you are helping the environment. Everyone is driving with used parts. I bought my first rebuilder in 1973, and have been driving them ever since. When my wife complains about me loaning a car to a friend, I tell her that they probably will not hurt it worse than it was. You can't say that about a new car, they depreciate fast along with your money. As a used car dealer, I have always had trouble buying used cars at auctions and other places, because you are always wondering why they were getting rid of this automobile. What is the truth about the vehicle's history? But with rebuilders, you know they were driving them when the accident happened. I have had very few surprises with rebuilders. The damage you see is usually the only problems the vehicles have. Draw backs to a rebuilder In Kansas, and most states, any vehicle that has been totaled by an insurance company for whatever the reason, they will have what we call a branded title. This title will say across the top "Formerly Salvage" and lower "This vehicle is no longer titled as a non-highway vehicle due to vehicle being salvaged or totaled." This of course does not effect the driving of the vehicle but lets the person buying be aware that for some reason it was totaled by an insurance company. Of course you could still be buying a vehicle that was totaled, even if the title didn't say that. If someone bought the wreck before it got to the insurance company, the title would be clean. I'm not for misrepresenting the selling of any vehicle. But if you are comfortable buying a damaged car or truck, you should be fully aware of the repairs and not have to pay full retail price. Sometimes banks won't loan full value, but my experience has been, they welcome them, because you are usually buying below book value. Let's face it, new cars depreciate fast and are a bad investment for most people. Tips for Buying a Rebuilder Don't let someone pressure you into a sale before you have had a chance to "count the cost." If you are buying a vehicle that has not been repaired make sure you get some quotes as to the final cost and then see if you still have enough cushion for cost overruns. We usually figure around 500 to 1000 for things we didn't foresee. I've been rebuilding cars and trucks for 28 years. The key to a satisfied customer is a quality job. Make sure you use a shop with a good reputation for rebuilding and get you estimates from him. Someone trying to sell a wreck can throw out some figures, but don't trust them. If you are the picky type, (the one that complains about every little paint chip), go buy a over priced new car, because you'll never be satisfied, but if saving money and transportation is what you are after, a rebuilder could be just what you are looking for. |
