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Salvaged Vehicles
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- Buying a Salvaged Vehicle
Page OverviewMaine can be a tough state―especially on motor vehicles. Cars get damaged in severe weather or accidents, or sometimes they simply get too old to keep on the road without spending a lot of money.
When a vehicle is damaged beyond repair in an accident, or when it is given up as not roadworthy by its owner, it is considered a salvage vehicle. Salvage vehicles are treated uniquely under the law.
Top Certificate of Salvage
If a motor vehicle vehicle is declared a total loss by an owner or insurer, an application for a certificate of salvage must be filed along with a $23 fee. The application can be obtained by contacting any Maine BMV office. As part of the application process for a salvage certificate, the owner or insurer must surrender the standard title certificate.
After the salvage certificate is issued, it takes the place of the title as the official ownership document for the car. If the vehicle is recycled or destroyed, the salvage certificate must be kept on file by the auto recycler.
If a certificate of salvage is lost or destroyed, you need to fill out a duplicate application and pay a $23 fee, plus another $10 for a rush order, if needed. Duplicate title applications can be obtained at any Maine BMV office or online.
Maine salvage certificates follow the same general rules as title certificates, including those rules regarding suspensions and lienholders.
Top Buying a Salvaged Vehicle
Salvaged vehicles may be offered for sale in Maine under specific circumstances and after meeting special requirements:
- An inventory of the parts used to repair or rebuild the vehicle, complete with receipts, must be made available by the seller.
- The seller must reapply to the Maine BMV to change the title status back from salvage and obtain a new title. The new, reconstructed title will be stamped to reflect that the vehicle was once salvaged and rebuilt or repaired. A vehicle can be reregistered for the road once the new, reconstructed title is obtained.
So if you're buying a used vehicle, make sure you check the title to see if it says "rebuilt" or "salvage rebuilt," which means the vehicle has previously been salvaged or undergone major repairs.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
How much do inspection stations charge?
Some states standardize vehicle inspection fees; others leave it up to the individual inspection stations. Keep in mind that in addition to regular fees, you might also need to pay for repair costs (if your vehicle fails the inspection and needs repairs) as well as a fee for a re-inspection.Inspections are important in order to make sure each vehicle on the roadways is operating safely and efficiently. If your state requires a vehicle inspection, it’s most likely that’s you’ll need to take care of it before, during, or shortly after you register your vehicle or renew your vehicle’s registration. Make sure you handle the inspection within the appropriate amount of time in order to proceed with these vehicle transactions as well as avoid penalties such as citations and additional fees.The grid below lists how much you can expect to pay.NOTE: Even if the grid notes that your state doesn’t require a vehicle inspection, it doesn’t mean there aren&rsquo...
Read more >>Are vehicle inspection stations open on Saturday?
Days and hours of operation for vehicle inspection stations can vary greatly. Your state might perform vehicle inspections at privately owned inspection stations located throughout the state, in which case you’ll need to contact your closest station and ask about days and hours, or it might perform these inspections at the DMV, in which case times will depend on the DMV’s typical days and hours.In order to register your vehicle or renew your vehicle’s registration, as well as avoid citations, fines, and other penalties, it’s important to handle your auto inspection (and, in some cases, the re-inspection) within the time limits your state mandates.Check your state in the grid below.NOTE: The grid might state that your state doesn’t require vehicle inspections, but keep in mind this grid deals with safety inspections only. Your state might require other kinds of inspections, such as emissions inspections or VIN inspections in certain situations (such as w...
Read more >>What should I consider when purchasing a used car with a salvage title?
The first thing you should do is order a vehicle history report. This report will run the vehicle identification number (or, VIN) through a check and let you know all about the history of the used car. If the owner already told you the vehicle has a salvage title, running a VIN check will give you the complete story and possibly either set your mind at ease or make you realize you’re not willing to take the risk.If the owner didn’t tell you about the salvage title and the vehicle history report is how you found out, you might want to consider looking elsewhere for a used car – even if the VIN check doesn’t present any major problems. Withholding the salvage title status is just bad business.State Laws On Salvage TitlesEven if you’re aware the used car is a salvage that the owner has repaired, and even if a VIN check confirms everything the owner’s told you is true and that there’s nothing in the vehicle’s history that makes you too ner...
Read more >>What if my car fails the vehicle inspection?
The grid below highlights how your state requires you to handle a failed vehicle inspection.Generally, you’ll need to make the necessary repairs and return the vehicle for another inspection. However, some states offer perks such as free re-inspections for returning the vehicle within a certain amount of time and/or to the same auto inspection station. In addition to taking advantage of any freebies your state offers, it’s important to make the repairs and return for a re-inspection in a timely manner in order to handle vehicle registration or registration renewal on time, as well as avoid late fees, citations, and other penalties.NOTE: If the grid states you don’t have to get a vehicle inspection in your state, be sure to double-check with your motor vehicle licensing agency. Some states do require certain kinds of inspections, such VIN inspections before registering out-of-state vehicles, salvage vehicles that have been rebuilt, or custom-built vehicles, or emiss...
Read more >>Where can I locate the motorcycle VIN on my bike?
Are you looking to buy a used motorcycle? If so, you’ll need to locate the motorcycle vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN number is located in two places on motorcycles, on the engine case and on the frame. Motorcycles from 1970 and later only have a frame tag. Motorcycles made during or after 1981 have a VIN that is made up of 17 characters. Prior to 1981, the motorcycle VIN usually ran 11-17 characters. Modern day VINs consist of 17 characters that do not include the letters I, O, or Q. When buying any used vehicle, especially when buying a used motorcycle, it should be standard procedure to check the history of the vehicle. Previous owners aren’t always forthcoming about a motorcycle’s past. Has it been in an accident? Has it been recalled? Is it stolen or salvaged? VIN numbers are documented in all accident reports, stolen vehicle reports, recall reports, and any records that are available to the public. Or, you could want to provide the VIN number to ...
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