- Ohio allows refurbished cars to be titled as "Rebuilt Salvage."wrecked car image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
A wrecked car can be repaired and restored to a road-worthy condition. But what happens to a vehicle when the insurance company deems it unworthy of repair or a total loss? The car can be restored to road-worthy condition and issued a "Rebuilt Salvage" title. Ohio has strict guidelines for a vehicle with a salvaged title. Ohio salvage vehicle laws do not ensure the safety of the vehicle. The laws are necessary to keep stolen automobile parts from being sold and used in other cars. - A car with a salvaged title must be inspected before the state of Ohio will issue registration and a license plate to the owner. The owner must present and application for inspection, the salvage certificate of title, receipts for the "major component parts" used in the repairs and the inspection receipt.
The inspection application is available from any Deputy Registrar's office in Ohio. The inspection receipt is available from the Department of Public Safety Office in Columbus, Ohio. If the replaced parts were purchased through a private individual, a notarized bill of sale is required for the parts at the time of inspection. Receipts from businesses do not need to be notarized.
Major component parts include the engine, transmission, frame, doors, hood, hatchback, air bags, bumper, dash, tailgate or rear door, front fenders and rear quarters. Purchased parts valued at $100 or more may also require a receipt. The inspector has the right to request a receipt for any other part that has a questionable origin. - The inspection of a salvage title vehicle is to determine ownership of the vehicle and the parts used for repair. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the inspection doesn't ensure the safeness of the vehicle. The vehicle must be road-worthy at the time of inspection, and no parts may be missing. The paperwork must be in order and reviewed prior to the inspection. The vehicle will not be inspected if there is any missing or incorrect paperwork. During the inspection, any part of the vehicle that has a vehicle identification number (VIN) that appears altered or stolen will result in the vehicle being seized and held as evidence.
The inspector may require that you remove certain parts of the car for a more complete inspection. There are times when you may be asked to leave the vehicle overnight at the inspection sight. - Once the vehicle passes inspection, you must surrender the salvage certificate of title to your local clerk of courts. You will be issued a "rebuilt salvage" title for the vehicle. The title will state in bold black letters "Rebuilt Salvage" for the remainder of the life of the vehicle.
- Section 4505.11 of the Ohio Revised Code states that an insurance company that declares a car unworthy of repair may elect to pay the agreement settlement and allow the owner to keep the vehicle. Before the insurance company pays any money to the claimant, the owner must present a salvage certificate of title for the vehicle.
A vehicle that cannot be salvaged must have the title marked "For Destruction" on the face of the title and then given to the clerk of courts for cancellation. A vehicle marked for destruction may only be sold for parts or scrap metal. If you are caught driving a vehicle marked for destruction, the penalty is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than six months.
Driving a vehicle on the road with a salvage certificate of title has a penalty of up to a $2,000 fine and/or imprisonment of not more than one year.
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