Salvaged Vehicles in Kentucky

A salvage vehicle is one that has been so damaged due to a wreck, flood, or some other cause that it's uneconomical to repair it. An insurance company won't cover the cost of repairs if they do not declare the vehicle to be salvage. Contact your insurance company for their definition of what qualifies a vehicle as salvage.

Junked Vehicles

If you wish to junk your vehicle, it must not have any liens and you must either pay all vehicle property taxes or have them exonerated.

Turn the vehicle's license plate and title in to your County Clerk's office. If either or both is lost and you still have the vehicle, you'll need to complete and have notarized an affidavit.

If either or both is lost and you have already given the vehicle to a junkyard or another person, you'll need to apply for a duplicate title. Once it's received, you can junk your vehicle.

The fee to junk a vehicle is $1.

Using Salvaged or Wrecked Parts

If you've rebuilt a vehicle from salvaged or wrecked parts, you'll need to complete and have notarized an Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Assembled from Wrecked or Salvaged Motor Vehicles form.

A list of detailed instructions on how to complete the form, as well as apply for the title and registration of the rebuilt vehicle are included with the form.

Basically, you'll need to fill out an Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration and have an inspection.

You'll also need to remember to:

• Keep all labor receipts and submit them, along with a notarized statement of the repairs made.

• Submit all receipts for the parts you purchase; if you purchased parts from individuals, include a notarized statement with the individual's name, address, and phone number along with a list of the parts and the original vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN).

• Submit the license plate with the affidavit form.

• Make sure liens and property taxes are handled.

Once the form is approved, you have 60 days to title and register the vehicle; if you fail to do so after 60 days, you'll have to start the process all over again.

When you receive your title, it will be branded with the term "Rebuilt." This is to let all subsequent owners know that the vehicle was constructed with salvaged parts.

Protect Yourself!

If you're considering purchasing a vehicle, especially from an individual, you should check out the website for the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to find out if the vehicle has been seriously damaged.

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