Texas Rebuilt Title
A Texas rebuilt title is issued to vehicles built primarily from parts that are not factory originals. As a rule, these are the vehicles that once received such an extensive damage that the cost of repair exceeded the value of the vehicle. Such vehicles receive a salvage title and cannot be legally driven on highways unless they are reconstructed to meet the standards set by the TX law. For example, according to Texas rebuilt title laws, vehicles with broken windshields and damage to the engine or body will not get a rebuilt title until the the damage is repaired. Only then you can use the vehicle on public roads and insure it.
Texas Rebuilt Title Laws
Texas rebuilt title laws state very clearly the requirements vehicles can get a rebuilt title and which cannot. Specifically (based on ownership documents):
Vehicles that can be retitled:
A motor vehicle titled with one of the following salvage ownership documents may be rebuilt, reconstructed, retitled, and registered:
- Texas Salvage Certificate issued prior to September 1, 2003;
- Texas Salvage Certificate of Title issued prior to September 1, 2003;
- Texas Nonrepairable Certificate of Title issued prior to
- September 1, 2003;
- Texas Salvage Vehicle Title issued on or after September 1, 2003; or
- Comparable out-of-state ownership document.
Vehicles that cannot be retitled:
- a nonrepairable motor vehicle for which a Texas Nonrepairable Vehicle Title was issued on or after September 1, 2003;
- a vehicle for which a Certificate of Authority to Dispose of a Motor Vehicle to a Demolisher for Demolition, Wrecking or Dismantling Only (COA) has been issued.
- a comparable out-of-state title or other ownership document that indicates that the vehicle is nonrepairable, junked, for parts or dismantling only;
For complete Texas rebuilt title requirements see this document (taken from ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/vtr/salnrmv.pdf (see Chapter 5 - Rebuilt Salvage Motor Vehicles)
#How to Obtain a Texas rebuilt title
- Before you apply for the rebuilt title the vehicle must be inspected by an authorized vehicle inspection station ( you can locate the nearest station at Texas Department of Public Safety's site). Please not that you'll have to tow the vehicle to the station as it still cannot be used on public roads according to the law. The inspection station will issue a certificate of repair which proves that the vehicle is highway safe. (you can find Texas rebuilt title statement form and other forms here: http://www.txdmv.gov/whatyouneed/forms/titles_registration.htm ) In order to get a Texas rebuilt salvage title title to have to complete the following papers:
- Application for Texas Certificate of Title (130-U form)
- Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (REBUILT AFFIDAVIT). You will have to list all the repairs and parts used to repair the vehicle and state that they were legally obtained. This is done to prevent reselling stolen parts. If the damage is cosmetic only or does not require repairs to be operational parts, the you may state, under Explanation of Repairs, that “No repairs were necessary” or “Cosmetic damage only.”
- The rebuilder must sign the rebuilder's statement.
- Pay the DMV fees ($65 ) for the rebuilt title
- Proof of Financial Responsibility
- Identification Certificate
- Release of Liens
- Odometer Disclosure Statement
- File all of the above documents and the current Salvage Title to your local county tax office.
There is never a 100% guarantee that your application will be approved.
Title Check is a used car buyer protection database provided by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Title Check enables you to find out of the vehicle has had a problem title (such as salvage, flood damaged, manufacturer buyback and other) based on the VIN. Please note that TX Title Check does not have any information about value-deprecating titles and brands issues in other states. For complete information you should obtain reports from private companies specializing in vehicle history reports and gathering data across the states.
Non-reparable Vehicles
The vehicles that were wrecked, damaged, or burned to the extent that the only residual value of the vehicle is as a source of scrap metal or parts or that come into TX under a title or other ownership document indicating that the vehicle is nonrepairable (like, for parts or dismantling or junk).
