Are you planning to purchase a used vehicle and you are confused with the title terms and you want to learn more about the clean title meaning? Well, if this is the case, then you are at the right place because this article will be all about the clean title and we will learn all about its meaning.
- What Is A Car Title?
- Why Is It So Important?
- 1. Clean Title
- 2. Salvage Title
- 3. Rebuilt Title
- 4. Junk Title
- 5. Lemon Title
- Final Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Doing the proper research before you decide to spend money on a car is always a good thing. Nowadays there are a lot of sketchy people that sell cars with who knows what on them. So, keeping your eyes open while you try to purchase a vehicle should be your top priority.
You need to be aware of the types of titles that exist out there and their meaning. So, this is why in this article, we are going to cover all about this and clear all of the misunderstandings. Also, the importance of performing a PPI.
Or pre-purchase inspection to make sure that the car you want to buy hasn’t rolled over a cliff and everything inside is in proper working order and functions the right way. And this is why we are going to help you out.
First, we are going to learn what is a car title and why the car title is so important. Then we will cover all the car title types and learn more about the clean title meaning as well as the meaning of other car title types. After that, we will compare some of these titles and then learn more about when it comes to buying a car with an accident history. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
Car Title
Now before we start discussing the clean title meaning and the meaning of other types of titles. Let’s first take a look at what is a car title in general. A lot of people are just confused by these documents and do not know what they represent. So, if you are confused and you do not know what a car title is, then this chapter is perfect for you.
Nevertheless, a car title in simple terms is a very important piece of paper. This piece of paper connects a certain individual with a certain vehicle. So, you understand where we are going, right?
The car title is generally proof of ownership. This piece of paper says that you own a certain vehicle because your name is written on it.
The car title besides the name of the owner and the model of the car also has other very crucial information. Namely, the VIN which is the vehicle identification number. The VIN in general is a combination of letters and numbers and the number that makes a car 1 out of 1. So, there are no two same VINs anywhere in the world.
This is why VIN is really important and when it comes to purchasing a vehicle, one of the first things that you want to check out and compare it with the one found on the car title.
Also, on the car title, there is some information about the make and model of the car, year of production, fuel type, etc. Also, the name and personal identification of the owner as well as their address. But what is the clean title meaning? Well, more about that we are going to cover in a bit after we cover why the car title is so important for you.
What Is A Car Title
Before we learn more about the clean title meaning, let’s take a look at why the car title is very important for you as a car owner. So knowing the cruciality of this document, this is probably going to be one of the first things that you will want to check. So, why is it so important?
The car title is really important since it connects your name to a certain vehicle. And this document basically gives you superpowers to do anything you want with that car.
So, selling a vehicle if you don’t have your name on the title will be a complete struggle because you don’t have any proof that you are the owner.
But if you have the title, you are the legal owner of this vehicle and you can sell it whenever you desire. This is why you should always keep the car title with the important documents.
Because if you lose it, you will have to go to the DMV and get a replacement copy of the title if you want to sell the car.
But we understand that years go by and documents are lost. Can you sell a car without a title? Well, you can in some states with a bill of sale. But it will be really difficult to prove that you are the owner of the vehicle unless the previous owner was related to you in some way.
Another thing to note with cars that are under lease. With these cars, you have the title. But in the title name, there is the lien holder’s name. And not your name. Only after you clear the payments you will be able to add your name to it and be able to sell the car.
Types Of Car Titles
Now let’s move on and learn the types of title and their meaning. These include the clean title meaning as well as the meaning for all other titles that you will probably come across while looking for a car.
After learning the types of car titles, you will be able to tell which title is the one that you want for your future car and the positives and negatives of having a title of this type. So, without further ado, let’s start discussing the types of titles and learn all about them.
Clean Title
So, we learned what is a car title and why this is a really important piece of paper. Now let’s take a look at the clean title meaning and learn more about this type of car title. So, what is a clean title?
Well, a clean title is basically a title that is given to a car. When a car is purchased new, all cars have a clean title. This is by default.
All other types of titles that we are going to cover next, are given to a car once something happened to it.
So, when you are looking for a car, going after vehicles that have a clean title is a no-brainer because these vehicles are less likely that have been involved in an accident or damaged. Even though, sometimes the owner will not report the damage and will fix it on its own. So, even though the car has a clean title, it still could have some collision damage. This is why a proper investigation is essential.
Nevertheless, these clean title vehicles sell really well. If you have a clean title vehicle, you can sell it for a premium price and get the most money out of it. Which is a good thing. Usually, clean title vehicles cost about 30% more than vehicles that have a history of problems.
This is why you don’t want to end up with a problematic vehicle. Going for a clean title car should be your top priority. This way you can be somewhat sure that the vehicle does not have any serious problems. So, we learned the clean title meaning, now let’s move on to the next type of title.
Salvage Title
Now since we covered the clean title meaning, we think that it is time to move on and learn more about the salvage title meaning. What does salvage title mean?
Well, this is the type of title that is given to a car once it is totaled. This car has probably been wrecked or damaged in another way that totaled the vehicle.
But this vehicle is still repairable. This means that it is salvageable and should not experience the bad luck of ending up in the crusher.
So, once the car is totaled and deemed repairable, this means that this vehicle has a salvage title. And you can purchase this vehicle as a salvage and repair it.
Once the vehicle is repaired, you will be issued a new title. And more about this title, we are going to cover next.
What is important when it comes to the salvage title is that you cannot drive this vehicle until a new title has been issued for the car. And this can only be done once the car is properly fixed and inspected. So, during the period while the car has a salvage title, it means that you cannot drive it at all.
And if you drive a salvage title car, then you can get fined and end up even losing the car for some time. So, repairs and inspections have to be done in order for the vehicle to be able to be brought back to the road. We learned the clean title meaning and the salvage title meaning, now let’s cover the next type of car title.
Rebuilt Title
So, we learned the clean title meaning and the salvage title meaning. Now we think it is time to cover another really important type of title. And this is the rebuilt title meaning. So, what really is a rebuilt title?
Well, as we mentioned previously, once a car gets wrecked, it will get a salvage title. And this type of title basically keeps the car in a state where it’s no longer able to be driven until it is repaired.
This means that you cannot drive the car and do anything with it on the streets before you sort out the problems.
Once you sort out the issues with the car and fix the problems, then you will be able to take it to inspection. And once the inspection deems your vehicle roadworthy and the repairs have been carried away the right way. This means that the title can be changed into a rebuilt title.
With a rebuilt title, you can basically do anything you want with the car. You can register it, drive it on the road, sell it, everything is possible that was not possible with the salvage title.
So, this title is the same as a clean title. But it’s not worth it as a clean title car. Even though the car might be repaired and returned to factory condition, it will still not be the same as a clean title car in terms of value.
A rebuilt title car will always be a rebuilt title car. No matter what you do, this will not change. So, these cars usually are about 30% cheaper in comparison to a clean title car. With this type of car, you will never get a premium price out of it. So, we learned more about clean title meaning, now let’s move on.
Junk Title
We covered the clean title meaning, now let’s move on and learn about the junk title meaning. What is a junk title? Let’s elaborate.
As we previously acknowledged, when a car gets totaled, there are two options. It is either salvageable or is given the salvage title. Or it is junk and is given the junk title.
This junk title is also known as the certificate of destruction. So, what does this mean? Well, this means that this car cannot be put back on the road. This can only serve for parts or can be completely scrapped and recycled.
These are the cars that were involved in major accidents and the frame was basically destroyed, or possibly involved in a fire, or flooded. Even though flooded cars might seem to you like a good purchase, they are actually not.
Flooded cars are junk title cars because water damage is very difficult to repair. The first downside is that it creates mold. Which is harmful to the people inside to breathe this stuff. The second downside that scraps these cars is the difficulty of doing a proper repair.
Water gets inside the electronics and basically rusts the connections. So, frequent electric malfunctions are really common. We learned what is the clean title meaning and the junk title meaning, now let’s take a look at the lemon title.
Lemon Title
And the last type of title that we are going to cover for today since we learned the clean title meaning is the lemon title. What is the lemon title meaning?
Well, a lemon title is basically a title that is given to a vehicle that is a lemon. If you are not aware there is a lemon law in some states where the owner can return a vehicle if the problem of the car cannot be figured out and these cars are often given a lemon title.
These cars are usually vehicles that have bad electronics inside that often malfunction and cause strange issues and are not present all the time. So, dealerships simply give up and sell these lemon title cars.
And even though these deals might be attractive because they are dirt cheap and brand new cars. We would not recommend them to you since there is a reason why they are branded as lemons. So, we learned what is lemon car title and what a clean title meaning, now let’s take a look at another topic.
Clean Title vs Salvage Title
Now since we learned the clean title meaning. Let’s take a look at the clean title vs salvage title and their pros and cons.
As we mentioned previously, a clean title car is a car that does not have any accident history. This vehicle is practically untouched.
On the other hand, a salvage title is a vehicle that has been wrecked and is currently totaled. Thus, given the salvage title.
This means that this type of title is given to a vehicle that cannot be driven around until it is repaired and inspected so the title can be changed into a rebuilt title. And more about that we are going to discuss next where we are going to elaborate more on the rebuilt title vs clean title meaning.
Rebuilt Title vs Clean Title
So, we learned the clean title meaning and compared the clean title vs salvage title. Now let’s compare the rebuilt title vs clean title. But what is a rebuilt title?
Well, as we mentioned previously a rebuilt title is a type of car title that is given to a car that was wrecked and then repaired. So, the car first was a clean title car, then got wrecked and became a salvage title. Then got fixed and became a rebuilt title car. So, you get the idea.
A rebuilt type of title is given to a car that was repaired. This type of title is practically the same as a clean title car.
The rebuilt title gives you the freedom to register and drive the vehicle on the road legally without worrying about anything.
But the downside of this type of title is that the rebuilt title car is not valued as a clean title vehicle. And these cars usually go for cheaper. About 20% to 40% cheaper than a car with a clean history. So, you need to be aware of this before you decide to purchase one of these cars for yourself. But what about buying a car with an accident history?
Buying Car With Accident History
We know about the clean title meaning, as well as the meaning of other types of titles. Now let’s discuss a bit when it comes to buying a car with an accident history. How you should approach this car?
Well, the first thing you should do is to get a CARFAX report on the car. And see when the car was wrecked and the sale history of the vehicle. There are situations with wrecked vehicles that are sold by suspicious people. Who buys them and doctors them up to look nice and sells them again to make a profit.
The next thing you will want to perform is a PPI. A pre-purchase inspection and see if the damage was repaired on the car and to what extent the car was damaged.
If the car is still wrecked and at an auction, you need to go there in person. And see if the engine can be rotated and the condition of the vehicle in general. This is really important. What people do is buy a car from an auction that they have never seen and end up disappointed with their purchase. So, if you want to get a car from an auction, you better inspect the car in person before you make the call to buy it.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #1. Understand the Importance of the Title Status
When purchasing a used car, the title reveals crucial details. A clean title means the car hasn’t suffered severe damages or undergone significant issues like theft or repossession. On the other hand, a salvage or rebuilt title indicates the car once had severe damages but got repaired. Always request the car title before any transactions.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #2. Ask for a Vehicle History Report
One of the best ways to dig into a car’s past is through its vehicle history report. Companies like Carfax or AutoCheck provide these. This report showcases previous accidents, repairs, and ownership transfers.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #3. Conduct a Visual Inspection
Always inspect the car in daylight. Look for signs of fresh paint, dents, or uneven gaps between panels. Inconsistencies can hint at prior accidents and shoddy repair work. Additionally, inspect the undercarriage for signs of rust or fresh welding, which might suggest previous damages.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #4. Check for Alignment Issues
A car that pulls to one side or has uneven tire wear might have alignment issues. This often arises from past accidents. Before buying, take the car for a spin, and pay close attention to its driving dynamics.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #5. Inspect the Lights and Glass
Ensure all lights work correctly and check for any fogging or cracks. Similarly, inspect the windows and windshield. A difference in the glass brand might indicate replacements due to prior incidents.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #6. Pop the Hood and Inspect the Engine
Under the hood, look for mismatched parts, fresh bolts, or weld marks. If you spot any new components, ask the seller about them. Sometimes, accidents can damage the engine bay, necessitating parts replacement.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #7. Feel for Unusual Vibrations
During your test drive, pay attention to abnormal vibrations or noises. They can indicate unresolved issues from prior accidents. Always trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #8. Trust Professional Inspections
Consider getting a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic. They have the tools and expertise to spot issues that might escape an untrained eye. This step can save you from costly future repairs.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #9. Beware of Lowball Prices
If a deal sounds too good to be true, proceed with caution. An unusually low price can be a red flag, indicating the seller is trying to offload a problematic vehicle quickly.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #10. Understand the Impact on Resale Value
Remember, cars with an accident history usually have a lower resale value. When negotiating, factor in this depreciation. Also, consider future resale challenges you might face.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #11. Read the Fine Print
When you’re about to close the deal, ensure you read all paperwork thoroughly. Look out for any clauses or terms that might indicate undisclosed issues or stipulations related to the car’s accident history.
Clean Title Meaning, Car With Accident History #12. Consider the Safety Implications
Accidents can compromise a vehicle’s structural integrity, which might impact its safety in future collisions. Always prioritize safety over price, especially if the vehicle will transport loved ones.
While a clean car title is ideal, don’t immediately shy away from vehicles with an accident history. With due diligence, you can score a great deal and a reliable car. However, always arm yourself with knowledge, ask the right questions, and prioritize safety above all. Remember, a well-informed decision now can save you headaches down the road.
Clean Title Meaning: In Conclusion…
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to car titles in general. First, we learned what is a car title and why this piece of paper is really important for you as a car owner.
Then we covered the clean title meaning as well as the meaning for most of the other car titles that are important for you. Then we compared clean vs salvage title as well as clean with a rebuilt title. Lastly, we shared some tips on getting a salvage title car.
Clean Title Meaning: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Is A Clear Title
A clear title or clean title is a type of title that indicates that the vehicle that you plan to purchase was never involved in an accident and the car is reportedly accident-free.
What Does Clean Title Mean
A clean title is a legal document that indicates that the vehicle was not involved in an accident and the history of the car is clean. These are the cars that usually sell for a premium unlike salvage and rebuilt titles that are far cheaper to purchase.
How To Get A Salvage Title Cleared
The only way to get the salvage title cleared is to rebuild the car and repair the damage. Once the damage is repaired, you will be able to take the car to be inspected. Once everything is checked, you will be granted a rebuilt title.
What Does Rebuilt Title Mean
A rebuilt title is a car title given to a car that was previously totaled and got a salvage title. The car was repaired and a rebuilt title was issued. A car with a rebuilt title can be driven and registered on the road.
Can A Salvage Title Be Cleared
Yes, the salvage title can be cleared if the vehicle is repaired. Once the repairs are done, the car can be inspected and put on the road. Once the car is inspected, you will be issued a rebuilt title.
How Much Does A Salvage Title Reduce Value
This really depends on the vehicle and the extent of the damage. But on average estimates are between 20% and 40%. Salvage title vehicles are valued less than clean title cars because of their accident history.
