How To Get a Rebuilt Title in North Carolina
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The process of getting a rebuilt title in North Carolina might sound a bit hazy and confusing, but the truth is that it is possible. There are laid-down rules and laws that explain how to get a rebuilt title in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, rebuilt titles are reserved for only salvage rebuilt titles. And your vehicle must be eligible for a rebuilt title before you are entitled to getting one. To get a rebuilt title in North Carolina, you’ll need to repair the vehicle, undergo inspections, provide the required documents to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and pay the required fees.
The truth is, in North Carolina, even before you start rebuilding a salvage vehicle, you must go through some inspections to ensure that the car wasn’t stolen. This will prevent you from falling into the wrong side of the law.
There are many things you should know about getting a rebuilt title in North Carolina. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
What Does a Rebuilt Title Mean in Nc?
Rebuilt Title, which is also referred to as a Salvage rebuilt title in North Carolina (NC), is a branded title that is reserved for vehicles that were damaged to the extent that the cost of repairs is up to, exceeds 75% of the fair market value of the vehicle or declared a total loss by insurance companies.
The rebuilt title is only issued after the state’s DMV confirms that the car has been repaired to an acceptable standard that makes it roadworthy again.
However, the truth is that not all salvage vehicles are eligible for a rebuilt title in North Carolina.
When your car is declared salvage or damaged to a great extent, there are three things that can happen:
- Your car is condemned as a junk vehicle and declared for scrap
- Your car is eligible for rebuilding
Unlike Junk Vehicles, Salvage rebuilt vehicles are confirmed that there is a chance that they can become operational and fit for use on highways again.
How To Get a Salvage Rebuilt Title in North Carolina?
1. Confirm Eligibility
This might not be a written rule, but before you get a rebuilt title in North Carolina, you must first confirm that your vehicle is eligible for rebuilding. This includes ensuring that the extent of damage on your vehicle isn’t so much that it passes as a junk vehicle.
This will save you a lot of time and money. You can discuss with an insurance company to determine the eligibility of your damaged vehicle to determine the best option for you.
2. Apply for a Salvage Title
If you’ve finally decided to rebuild your vehicle and figured out that it is eligible for a rebuilt title, you’ll have to start by applying for a salvaged title.
In North Carolina, you cannot get a rebuilt title until you have a salvage title. The salvage title indicates that the vehicle once incurred damage and that the cost of repairs exceeded 75% of the fair market value of the car.
To get a salvage title in North Carolina, you need to do the following:
- Original Title Certificate
- Bill of Sale for your car
- Original receipts of payment of title fees
- Valid Drivers’ Tax
- Document Tax reports (Payment for property tax)
There are quite a few factors that determine the title fees that you will need to pay in North Carolina. These factors include the type of vehicle that you need a salvage title for, your county, and if you include an instant title.
However, in the event that your salvaged vehicle’s model is six years old or newer, you will need to book an anti-theft inspection and acquire a license from the NCDMV License and Theft Bureau. This authenticates ownership and validity of your documents.
3. Complete Repairs and Restoration
Now that you have finally gotten a salvage title, you repair the car and restore it to an acceptable form. Restoring a once-salvaged vehicle isn’t an entirely easy task. You will need to build the car to match North Carolina’s safety and legal standards. This is only when the car can be approved to hit the road again.
During the repairs, we will advise that you use high-quality parts and employ the services of a professional auto engineer whose specialty revolves around the damages to your vehicle.
Don’t forget to save the receipts of all purchases and parts used during replacement and repairs. You will need these receipts during the inspection.
4. Complete Inspection
After repairs and before applying for a rebuilt title, you will need to go for an inspection. A salvage title inspection is a phase where you will have your car inspected by an approved state inspector, who determines the status of your repairs and the authenticity of ownership.
Anti-theft inspections are included, and the origin of the parts used is verified. Inspection of the status of your repairs borders around confirming the safety of your car.
This takes into account how safe it is to hit the roads again with such a vehicle. In North Carolina, you will need to pay a $13.60 inspection fee for this.
Here is a list of processes that are carried out during rebuilt salvage title inspection;
- Signals and Brakes Testing
- Steering Response and capability
- Windshield Wiper efficacy
- Headlights and Visibility
Emissions tests are also included, especially if your car is later than three years old and doesn’t run on diesel. Standard emission tests in North Carolina come at an extra cost of $30.
5. Provide Documentation and Application
After passing the inspection, the next thing that you will have to do is to provide the required documents and submit them to the DMV office near you. You will need to fill out and submit a few documents to get your rebuilt title.
These documents include the following:
- Title Application (MVR-1) form
- Bill of Sale (to indicate the purchase price of the vehicle
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (MVR-180)
- Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181)
- Salvage Title
- Rebuilders affidavit, which includes the receipts, total cost of repairs, etc
- Proof of Car Insurance
- Driver’s License
- Receipts of Payment of Title fees
6. Pay Fees
Upon authorization of your documents, you must ensure you have paid all agreed fees. This includes your title fee and inspection or emission test fees as applicable.
This makes you eligible for a rebuilt title upon completion. Don’t forget to take your original receipts along with you. Copies are not allowed.
What Is the Difference Between a Rebuilt and Salvage Title in NC?
The words ‘rebuilt title’ and ‘salvage title’ are always used regularly and together in NC’s laws, making it very easy for anyone to misplace or misunderstand the meanings of these words. A salvage title is different from a rebuilt title, and a salvage title is the first title that you will get before proceeding in applying for a rebuilt title.
Salvage titles are issued to vehicles that are declared a total loss by an insurance company because the total cost of repairs goes up to 75% of the fair market value of the vehicle.
Rebuilt titles are issued to salvage vehicles after they are rebuilt and restored to acceptable safety standards that make them roadworthy again.
Rebuilt titles are issued after a state inspection, and the NC Division for Motor Vehicles decides that the vehicle is safe to hit the road again without posing any risk to other road users.
Conclusion
Getting a rebuilt title in North Carolina is a nice option, especially if you have plans of buying a vehicle on a good deal.
However, it is important that you deal with verified dealers to avoid buying stolen cars and make sure you use professionals for your repairs and original parts for replacement.
