Wisconsin Rebuilt Title
Rebuilt and Reconstructed Titles
"REBUILT SALVAGE" or "RECONSTRUCTED" title? These are the brands placed on Wisconsin vehicles some used car shoppers get puzzled about or confuse with one another. These are different titles.
What does "REBUILT SALVAGE" title mean?
This title is issued on a salvage vehicle last titled in Wisconsin after it is repaired and successfully passes a salvage inspection. Only after that the vehicle can get be registered with new icense plates and legally used on public roads. A salvage vehicle is one that does not receive the status of a junked vehicle so upon successful repair and completion of an vehicle inspection by an authorized body it and may receive registration again.
Please, not the following about WI salvage vehicles. A salvage title is issued to a vehicle in two cases:
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A damaged vehicle that is less than seven model years old when the cost of repairing it exceeds 70% of its fair market value
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A vehicle on any age that was last titled in Wisconsin as salvage or in another state as salvage.
Considerding the above, the extent of the fuctional damage done to a WI rebuilt vehicle can be significant. For instance, a 10-year old vehicle with a minor cosmetic damage that turned it into salvage just due to its age can be a great buy. But it might not work for WI due to the above rules.
What does "RECONSTRUCTED" title mean?
A "RECONSTRUCTED" title is issued on a vehicle which has been modified or altered to the extent that it no longer resembles the original manufactured vehicle with its original specifications. This is not necessarily a previously damaged or salvage vehicle.
In Wisconsin, a salvage vehicle gets a roadworthy status with the "REBUILT SALVAGE" title after being repaired and inspected by a law enforcement officer. The list of authorized inspection agencies can be found here: http://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/safety/veh-inspect/salvage-veh/salvage-vehicle-list.pdf
Inspection
Please make sure all of the below pre-requisites are completed before you take the vehicle to the inspection site. There are several pre-requisites before we will inspect your salvaged motor vehicle. You'll have to provide all of the following:
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Wisconsin salvage Certificate of Title in the owner's name or Confirmation of Ownership document.
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Competed MV-1 (non-dealers) or MV-11 (dealers) form. You may leave the "fee" section blank for the inspector to fill it out.
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Completed Affidavit of Major Parts Form (MV2673).
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Four (4) pictures of the salvage vehicle (front, back, driver's side and passenger's side) taken prior to any repair procedures where the damage is clearly visible.
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Proof of air bag system diagnostic check and 4-wheel vehicle alignment conducted (DOT form MV2859).
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Registration fee check
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Inspection service check
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The original bill(s) of sale / receipt(s) received for each major part of the vehicle used in repair or as a replacement with the signature of the seller of the person disposing of the part:
- The name of the major part.
- The date of the transaction.
- The make, model year, and VIN of the vehicle the part was taken from
- The amount paid for the major part.
- The buyer's name.
Then you'll need to complete a Salvage Certificate of Title and send it to your your local Wisconsin DMV branch. You will also have to include the bill of sale, all receipts for parts used in the rebuild, along with method of payment for the appropriate fees and the proof of passing inspection. Then the new Rebuitl Title will be mailed to you.
Once all the procedurea are done and you applied for the title at WI DOT you can check the status of your title here: https://trust.dot.state.wi.us