The state of Arizona issues a salvage title for vehicles missing major components, declared a total loss by an insurer or deemed not street legal. Salvaged autos may appeal to buyers as donor part vehicles or for their modest price. If you restore a salvaged vehicle back to road-worthy condition through extensive repairs, you must amend the title. Schedule an inspection and gather the necessary documents, including your personal identification, to re-register the vehicle.
Save all receipts for parts purchased throughout the restoration process. Careful archiving prevents loss.
Gather necessary documents. Your driver's license identifies you, while the salvage title or registration identifies the car. In Arizona, the owner should have both unless a loan exists. The lien holder or bank retains the title and then transfers it to the owner upon fulfillment of the loan. In this case, the registration suffices. In addition, bring the collected receipts for parts purchase.
Schedule an inspection. Visit the Arizona Department of Transportation website (see References section) for a list of authorized Level III inspection locations. The inspector ensures that vehicle identification numbers match the documentation and performs additional tests to determine whether the vehicle passes safety standards. Have receipts for parts on hand---especially if you have replaced major components, such as the engine or transmission. Purchase records dispel suspicions of parts or vehicle theft when major components have non-matching vehicle identification numbers (VINs).
Visit the nearest Arizona Motor Vehicles Division location after a favorable inspection. Bring the copy of the verdict, along with your driver's license, vehicle title or registration and repair history. If the car failed the inspection, make a note of problem areas and continue restoration before making a second attempt.
