Hello Everyone!

So, I really like this car that's for sale but it's a salvage title.
What should I look for when I go look at it?



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=241763274&dealer_id=86987&car_year=1999&model=M3&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=80127&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=8

Get a full inspection before buying it. Also get info on exactly why it has a salvage title and what exactly was replaced/repaired. Look for mismatched paint and poorly aligned body panels. If there was frame damage then it might be a good one to avoid. There could be hidden problems as well, such as drainage issues and inferior workmanship/parts used. Salvage titles are usually good cars to avoid. The first rule I usually have when car shopping is to be patient and find THE one.

take it to a body shop and have them look at it...they could tell you how bad the damage was for the most part... it may or may not be that bad.
Although...I'd still try to get the price down...
many people don't wan an S-title...so you should pay even near what the market wants for them.

Thanks a lot. Yeah, I probably should wait, it's just the price that is so tempting.

take it to a body shop and have them look at it...they could tell you how bad the damage was for the most part... it may or may not be that bad.
Although...I'd still try to get the price down...
many people don't wan an S-title...so you should pay even near what the market wants for them.


yeah, I was gonna work em a bit on that...oh how I love car shopping : )

Things I noticed:

Lower dash under the steering wheel is missing
Jack plugs in driver's side are not matched to the paint, just primered
All the stickers are still intact in the engine bay (shock towers, radiator support) so the S-title either came from a hit elsewhere on the car, or it was stolen. A carfax/autocheck might tell a little more of the story there.

Decent price for a 99 with low-ish miles, if it's clean and the S-title is from, say, a theft recovery... I still wouldn't pay more than 7k for it.

The car is fairly clean and drives straight as far as I could tell... Was a nice car, I just wouldn't buy a salvage title'd car.

yeah i agree, s-title=no buy

A carfax/autocheck might tell a little more of the story there.

Decent price for a 99 with low-ish miles, if it's clean and the S-title is from, say, a theft recovery... I still wouldn't pay more than 7k for it.

I just ran a carfax on it and it doesn't say much...

04/08/2005 72,601 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
York Haven, PA SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED

04/08/2005 Colorado
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Littleton, CO Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location

04/18/2005 Colorado
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Littleton, CO
Title #260602 SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED

01/29/2008 73,018 Colorado
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Denver, CO
Title #103644 SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED

02/08/2008 73,289 Colorado
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Littleton, CO
Title #673053 SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Loan or lien reported

Looks like either the mileage is wrong on the 02/08/2008 Carfax note (73,289) or someone put 9k miles on it in a little under 3 months (ad shows 82k miles)... so at least you know it runs well ;)

its also missing the front grill on drivers side and the front lip of the bumper..something also doesnt look right at the headlights..