Used Cars: Salvage, salvage title, ca dmv

Question
QUESTION: Dear Ray: I have a 1990 Toyota 4 Runner which was rear ended with minimal damage to bumper I am able to drive it and everything works. My question is due to age of the car the insurance company declared the vehicle as total loss and appears that they mailed paperwork to DMV in California that the vehicle is a salvage vehicle they have also mailed me paperwork to send into DMV which I did not my question is my registration is due in July 2011 what should I do will they claim the vehicle is salvage or is it possible they may send me my regular registration as usual please let me know what should I do so i can keep and drive my car. Regards Anthony

ANSWER: Hi Anthony,

Get a mechanical inspection performed that will pass as road worthy, when you then register, vehicle will have passed with a salvage title.

Here is a link on my website http://www.usedcartips.org/DMV.html  where I want you to look up the DMV - CA,,, study for some answers,,, if something not clear I will be here for you.

Ray

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Ray: What if I register the car in another state like New Mexico the insurance company already sent the CA DMV that the car is Salvaged  but I did not send in any paperwork to CA DMV do I have to still register it as Salvage Title?  I am not planning on selling the car my registration is due in July 2011 from CA DMV will they just send me regular registration or require that the car should be registered as Salvage even though I did not send any paperwork to them  Regards, Anthony

Answer
Anthony,,, Every state the laws differ it's therefore hard for me to provide a 100% valid answer.

From what you have written the new title will be salvaged and I don't see a problem since you are not planning to sell,,, you simply need an inspection with paperwork showing vehicle fit to be able to re- issue registration.

Yes some states you can obtain a clean title,,, check this link   http://www.usedcartips.org/ACCID.html  Now the question is New Mexico one of those states ?,,, do some homework on their DMV website.

Without knowing the content of the paperwork you are to submit to the DMV I am kind of stuck to guide you further...

Another area here that is a little confusing,,, did you make a settlement with the Insurance Co, and title remained in your name?.

If you care to answer e-mail me at paulsenray@yahoo.com,,, this thread has reached it's limited.

Ray