How To Get a Rebuilt Title in South Carolina
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Rebuilt titles are exclusively granted to motor vehicles that have undergone comprehensive restoration or repair and have been approved for safety by a licensed inspector, increasing their marketability.
Each rebuilt title car is accompanied by a comprehensive record detailing all previous damages and an exhaustive account of all repairs performed.
To get a rebuilt title in South Carolina, you must first obtain a salvage title, pay a $15 fee, conduct the necessary repairs on the vehicle, subject it to inspection, and subsequently apply for the rebuilt title.
In great detail, this article will cover everything you need to know about how to get a rebuilt title in South Carolina.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How To Get a Rebuilt Title in South Carolina
Besides the stress of fixing up the wrecked car, getting a rebuilt title is relatively easy. You can follow the step-by-step guide below:
1. Get a Salvage Title in South Carolina.
The process of obtaining a salvage title for a car in South Carolina can be initiated promptly after the corresponding insurance company settles its claim for total loss.
Insurance companies must submit the required documentation to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles to acquire a salvage title.
To complete the application for a salvage certificate, insurance agents must undertake the following steps:
- Complete the Application for Salvage/Branded Certificate of Title (Form 400-S).
- Indicate whether the vehicle is classified as "rebuildable" or "non-rebuildable."
- Specify the source of the damage, such as water, fire, or collision.
- Check the appropriate box for "stolen-recovered" or "stolen-unrecovered," if applicable.
- If the vehicle's damages amount to less than 75 percent of its value or its value is lower than $2,000, fill out the Request for Total Loss Title (Form TR-3).
- Retrieve the vehicle title from the car owner, if applicable.
- Obtain any necessary lien release forms, if applicable.
- Arrange payment for the relevant title fee.
- Mail all the documents mentioned above to the designated DMV address on the form.
In cases where the owner wishes to retain possession of their vehicle along with its South Carolina salvage car title, the insurance agent must also mark the "owner-retained" box on the application form and include a letter stating the owner's intention to retain the vehicle.
In such situations, the title certificate should not be assigned to the insurance company, as the newly issued title will be returned to the original owner once the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) processes it.
Salvage Title Eligibility Requirements in South Carolina
The state Department of Motor Vehicles' issuance of a salvage title in South Carolina is based upon meeting specific criteria that deem a motor vehicle as a total loss and subsequently classify it as salvage.
Typically, the responsibility for determining a vehicle's total loss status lies with auto insurance companies, who generally classify a vehicle as such if the damages incurred surpass 74 percent of its fair market value.
For a vehicle to be eligible for a salvage certificate, the following conditions must be met:
- It must not be designated as "non-rebuildable."
- It must possess a value of $2,000 or higher.
- It must not hold an antique vehicle title.
However, insurance companies can declare salvage title cars as total losses even if their cost is below $2,000 or if the damages sustained are less than 75 percent of their actual value.
In such instances, insurers follow slightly altered policies. For example, motor vehicles damaged by fire or water may receive the salvage title designation, even if the damages exceed the 75 percent threshold.
2. Fix-Up The Vehicle.
Once your automobile insurance company has issued you a salvage title in South Carolina, you can begin the reconstruction of your vehicle.
You can entrust your vehicle to a licensed rebuilder in South Carolina to initiate the necessary repairs or fix it yourself.
The rebuilding process entails a post-repair inspection of the reconstructed vehicle, ensuring compliance with the state's standards of safety and legality.
Ensure proper documentation of all the processes, including receipts and each part changed. This information will be needed when applying for your rebuilt title.
3. Go Through South Carolina Rebuilt Car Inspection.
Inspections are necessary for any rebuilt vehicles in South Carolina to ensure your salvaged car has undergone restoration to meet the state's secure and lawful operating standards.
You can schedule an appointment for the rebuilt vehicle inspection. The inspection will be conducted by a representative from the South Carolina DMV either at the premises of your licensed rebuilder or at an alternative designated location if circumstances require.
It is important to note that an additional fee may be applicable if the inspector needs to utilize a private facility lift for the inspection.
During the inspection process, both you and the licensed rebuilder must give the SCDMV inspector specific records, including:
- Receipts for all the components utilized in the rebuilding of the vehicle.
- Regarding parts sourced from other vehicles, the receipts must also include the vehicle identification number (VIN) of each vehicle from which the parts were procured.
- Pre-inspection photographs of the vehicle.
- Detailed information concerning the rebuilt vehicle, encompassing its make, model, body type, odometer reading, and VIN.
- Your complete legal name and address as the owner.
- Any relevant inspection certificates issued by the licensed rebuilder.
After completing the inspection of your reconstructed vehicle, the SCDMV inspector will furnish you with a final certificate of inspection, which must be safeguarded diligently.
This certificate will be indispensable in the subsequent process of re-titling your car.
4. Submit an Application For a Rebuilt Title in South Carolina.
After the reconstructed vehicle has successfully cleared the inspection, you can proceed with re-titling and registering it through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
The procedure closely resembles that of titling and registering any other vehicle. However, you may be required to furnish ADDITIONAL documentation, including:
- The final inspection certificate that was issued upon completing the rebuilt vehicle inspection
- Receipts and invoices substantiate the parts and services utilized to repair your vehicle.
- The Salvage Title
- Owner's Rebuilder's Affidavit (Form S-2): It attests that necessary repairs and restoration have been completed to restore the vehicle to a safe and roadworthy condition.
- Application for Title and Registration (Form 400)
- $15 Title Fee
Once you have satisfied all the requirements, you will be legally authorized to drive your vehicle with confidence once again.
Cost Rebuilt Title in South Carolina
The standard title fee, which encompassed both car salvage certificates and salvaged rebuilt titles, is set at $15.
While this fee applies when obtaining a salvage title, car owners should know that additional costs must be accounted for if they intend to pursue a rebuilt title.
For instance, a $50 fee for the vehicle inspection must be paid before the restored vehicle can be titled and registered once again after undergoing repairs.
The applicable registration costs may vary based on factors such as the type and weight of the vehicle.
Insuring Rebuilt Cars in South Carolina
Getting insurance coverage for rebuilt vehicles can be challenging compared to insuring new vehicles.
The most you can get for a previously salvaged car from any insurance provider across all states is basic PLPD (personal liability and property damage) coverage.
Also, they subject the vehicle to rigorous inspection because insurance companies are unsure how well the car has been restructured.
Financing a Vehicle With a Rebuilt Title
Financing a vehicle with a rebuilt title may present challenges compared to vehicles with clean titles.
Lenders may have specific policies and requirements regarding financing for rebuilt title vehicles.
It is advisable to consult with financial institutions to understand their policies and options for vehicles with rebuilt titles.
