Different Car Titles Explained

A vehicle title is a document that proves legal ownership of a vehicle such as a car or truck. A vehicle cannot be registered, issued license plates or driven without a title. The vehicle's condition will dictate what type of title is issued. Each state has various rules regarding vehicle titles. Here's a guide to different car titles:

Clear Title

A clean title or clear title means that there are no major physical issues with the car and that that there is not a financial lien against the car being sold. Having a clear car title means there are no outstanding payments to be made on the car, and ownership is therefore clear and established. A brand new vehicle has a clean title and most pre-owned vehicles that can be driven safely and are insurable. A clear title on a car is also known as a ‘pink slip’. To check the history of your vehicle please run a VinAudit vehicle check.

Theft Title

This is a variation of a clean title for a vehicle which was stolen but recovered. Usually these types of titles will have some type of "theft" brand on the title. A car the has been salvaged from theft only means that enough parts were stolen off the car to be worth more than the car itself.

Salvage Title

If a car title brands the vehicle as salvaged, then it means that the car has been declared as a total loss by an insurance company or other authorities due to some accident, flood, fire, vandalism or other such problems. The criteria for determining when a salvage title is issued differ considerably by each state, province or territory. To get a salvage vehicle legal to drive, it must be certified as "Rebuilt Salvage" by a state authority.

Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title

Once a vehicle is fixed after earning a salvage title, it's given a rebuilt title. While this may still be a good car to buy, it is not a clean title. Depending on the work done, and the price being asked, a rebuilt car is often in better shape than a car of the same year that has not had work done.

Dismantled Title

When a Dismantled title is issued, the vehicle may be used only for parts or scrap metal.

Junk Title

A 'non-repairable' title means that the car is junk. After a Junk title is issued, the vehicle may be used only for parts or scrap metal. It cannot be re-titled or returned to the road using the existing vehicle identification number.