Rebuilt Title In Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, rebuilt vehicles are issued a Reconstructed Vehicle title. A Reconstructed Vehicle, according to PA law, is a vehicle for which a certificate of salvage (salvage title) was issued and which was then repaired or restored to become operable and meet inspection and equipment standards.

Pennsylvania certificates of salvage are given to vehicles that are either unable to meet the vehicle equipment and inspection standards and the cost of restoring and/or repairing the vehicle to that state is equals or greater than the value of the same undamaged or repaired vehicle. (Please note that in most states the estimated cost of repairs when the vehicle is deemed salvage is 70-80% of the vehcile's undamaged market value)

The Reconstructed title does not apply to classic or antique vehicles that have been restored or rebuilt. Such vehicles are given other, corresponding titles.

How to get a Rebuilt Title In Pennsylvania

1. Inspection, Requirements

A vehicle with a junk / parts only certificate (or another documents indicating junk / parts only use or its equivalent issued in another state) cannot be restored, rebuilt or redesigned for the use on public roads in PA!

All Reconstructed title candidate vehicles undergo a thorough mandatory safety inspection at a certified enhanced vehicle safety inspection in order to meet all the safety and specification requirements. In order to be eligible for a Reconstructed Vehicle, a PA vehicle must be restored to its original operating condition, appearance and specifications as they were designed by the manufacturer. This includes seat belt/restraint mechanisms, airbags, lights and other. The list of certified enhanced inspection stations is found at http://www.dmv.pa.gov/. After receiving the title, reconstructed vehicles must pass periodic safety and emission inspections, these inspections can be done at any inspection station throughout Pennsylvania.

2. Paperwork

After the inspection, if it is successful, the officer will make photos of your vehicle and ask you to provide the necessary documents as a proof of title and use of legally obtained parts in repairs:

• “Application for Reconstructed, Specially Constructed, Collectible, Modified, Flood, Recovered Theft Vehicles and Street Rods,” (Form MV-426B) with all applicable signatures. IMPORTANT!: Forms MV-426 or MV-426B with a revision date of July 2017 (7-17) or earlier are obsolete versions and will not be accepted.

• If the face of the certificate of title does not display your name your should provide Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title)

• Ownership proof: PA Certificate of Salvage, Certificate of Salvage or an equivalent Salvage title issued by another state or jurisdiction if the vehicle is still in an inoperable condition, Reconstructed / Rebuilt or any other equivalent title. issued by another state or jurisdiction if the vehicle was restored to an operable condition.

• Proof of insurance

• These documents are not accepted as ownership proof: 1) Form 907A issued by the state of New York; 2) Any title or certificate indicating junk / parts only

• Be ready to provide receipts for repair works and major parts used in repairs

Your MV-426B application should be submited directly at PennDOT if any of the following is true:

• The vehicle has a certificate of salvage (or similar certificate) and comes from another state (or jurisdiction)
• The vehicle has a branded title and comes from another state (or jurisdiction)
• The vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) needs to be changed
• The vehicle needs a replacement VIN

Please send your paperwork at: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Services Unit, PO Box 69007, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9007

For other cases, form MV-426B applications are processed by Online Business Partners, the list can be found at: http://www.dmv.pa.gov/. Applications requiring review by PennDOT and/or the Pennsylvania State Police take longer to process.

Is buying a rebuilt PA vehicle safe?

Although in PA a vehicle is totaled at a greater loss / vehicle's value ratio, there are positive aspects as well. PA requirements for restoring damaged vehicles are stricter than in other states. This means that in order to qualify the car must have all safety featuers restored, including airbags.