Car Inspections

Here are the pros and cons of buying a rebuilt-title car

Buying a rebuilt title car can deliver significant savings, but only if you know exactly what you’re getting into. A rebuilt title means the vehicle was once deemed a total loss and later repaired—sometimes properly, sometimes not.

The appeal is clear: you can secure a newer, well-equipped model at a fraction of its original cost. But vehicle history reports like Carfax offer only a partial view. Most accident data comes from municipalities, not the repair facilities that performed the work. As a result, these reports routinely underestimate repair costs and misrepresent damage severity.

Marty Ruth, owner of Auto Appraisal Network–Detroit & Motor City Auto Appraisers, has spent more than 30 years managing collision repair facilities and routinely sees rebuilt vehicles with far more prior damage than the reports suggest.

Rebuilt title cars also come with practical hurdles—financing and insurance restrictions, stricter state inspection requirements, and lower resale value. Hidden structural issues or improper repairs can further compromise safety.

If you’re considering a rebuilt title vehicle, treat a professional pre-purchase inspection as non-negotiable. Only an experienced collision repair expert can verify whether the vehicle is safe, properly repaired, and worth the investment.

We're Michigan's #1 qualified professional car inspector specializing in rebuilt title vehicles. The inspectors of a big national company use a high-level checklist that doesn't cover important car repair procedures like welding, frame and body repairs, SRS part replacement, standard repair methodologies, and paint finishing. This inexperience puts you and your loved ones in potential danger each time you are on the road. 

Yes, you can buy a less expensive inspection report, but is it worth putting your family in jeopardy? Contact us today.

Watch this short video before you buy a rebuilt-titled car. Buying a rebuilt-titled vehicle.mp4