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Failing To Disclose Salvage Title, Rebuilt Title Or Total Loss

When a vehicle’s damage exceeds a high percentage of the value, an insurance company must declare the vehicle a total loss. When that happens, the vehicle must be given a salvage title. Even if the damage for a salvage vehicle is repaired and the vehicle passes an enhanced inspection, the title still must be branded as rebuilt or reconstructed, depending on the state. If the title is branded as salvage, reconstructed, rebuilt or some other title brand showing it was a former total loss, that title brand must be fully disclosed to buyers before sale. This disclosure is important because a salvage or rebuilt vehicle would likely not be as safe in a crash as a vehicle without the damage and because a salvage or rebuilt vehicle is worth far less than a clean title vehicle.

Unfortunately, not all dealerships or car sales companies are upfront when a vehicle is a salvage or rebuilt, as title brand often makes these cars harder to sell. Most traditional car buyers would not, and should not, buy a salvage vehicle on purpose and must be extremely cautious about buying a vehicle with a rebuilt title.

If you find yourself facing an issue with such a vehicle, get the assistance you need from experienced attorney Christina Gill Roseman. At Roseman Law Firm, PLLC, attorney Roseman will use her years of experience handling auto fraud cases to your advantage.

Deceptive Dealership Moves

In many situations that end up involving a salvage or rebuilt title vehicle, the dealership is actively involved in concealing the total loss, rebuilt title or salvage title. Here are some of the many ways that dealerships misrepresent vehicles with title brands:

  • The defect was hidden, the dealership pretending it knew nothing.
  • The dealership pretended that the damage did not result in the car being considered a salvage.
  • The dealership delayed letting the buyer see the salvage or reconstructed title until after purchase.
  • The dealership failed to disclose frame damage, body damage or other damage that should have led to a salvage designation.
  • The dealership moved a car out of state to avoid the salvage label.

There are numerous ways for a dealership to say that a vehicle is not a salvage or offer reasons to delay delivery of the title. Some may even be written into the purchase contract. This is why it is so important to ensure that you have an attorney on your side who knows the ins and outs of auto sales fraud and can protect your rights or fight for you if you have already been wronged.

For more information or to talk to a knowledgeable lawyer, call us at 800-745-5259 or contact us online for free legal help today.