Car keys being handed from one person to another in a used car lot

Honest answers about salvage and rebuilt titles

Many of the vehicles on our State Street lot carry a salvage or rebuilt title, and we think you deserve to understand exactly what that means before you shop. A branded title isn't something we tuck into the fine print. It's the reason these cars are priced the way they are, and we're happy to walk you through every detail.

Below, you'll find a plain-language guide to how these titles work in Utah, what they mean for financing and insurance, and how Saint Motors stands behind every car we sell. Have a question we didn't cover? Our team can help in English or Spanish.

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Salvage vs. rebuilt: what's the difference?

Salvage

A salvage title is issued when a vehicle is damaged by a collision, flood or other event and the cost to repair it exceeds its market value, or when an insurer declares it a total loss. In Utah, a salvage title vehicle can't be registered or driven until it's repaired and retitled.

Rebuilt

A rebuilt title is issued once a salvage vehicle has been repaired and passes a state inspection confirming it's safe to drive. Rebuilt vehicles can be registered and driven like any other car, and they typically cost less than the same model with a clean title.

How a vehicle earns a rebuilt title in Utah

Going from salvage to rebuilt isn't a paperwork shortcut. Utah requires the vehicle to be fully repaired and then inspected by a certified inspector before the state will issue a rebuilt title and allow it back on the road.

Repairs with a paper trail

Every repair has to be documented. Receipts and invoices for replacement parts, along with a written disclosure of the original damage and how it was fixed, go to the inspector for review.

A state safety inspection

A certified inspector checks the vehicle to confirm it's safe and road legal. Only after it passes does the Utah DMV issue a rebuilt title, which stays on the vehicle's record for good.

What it means for financing and insurance

A branded title can affect how you finance and insure a vehicle, and we'd rather you know that up front than be surprised later. Here's what to expect before you buy.

Financing options

Not every lender finances branded titles, which is one reason we work with a broad group of lenders, including Utah credit unions. Our team will match your application with lenders that do and explain your terms clearly.

Insurance coverage

Coverage options for rebuilt vehicles vary by insurer, and some limit full coverage. We recommend getting an insurance quote on the specific vehicle before you buy, and we're happy to share its VIN and history to help.

Why these vehicles cost less

The title history is the main reason for the lower price, not hidden problems. Buyers who understand what they're getting can drive a newer, better-equipped vehicle for less than the same model with a clean title.

Real savings

Rebuilt title vehicles are typically priced well below comparable clean title models, which can mean a lower monthly payment or a more capable car within the same budget.

Smart sourcing

Our long-standing relationships across the dealer community help us find quality vehicles at strong values, and we pass those savings along to you instead of keeping them.

How Saint Motors stands behind every car

Buying a rebuilt title vehicle should feel just as confident as buying any other used car. That's why we make these commitments to every customer who drives off our lot.

Three-month warranty

Every vehicle we sell comes with a three-month warranty included, giving you added peace of mind in the months after you drive home.

Full transparency

We show our $599 doc fee up front and walk you through each vehicle's title history before you buy. Ask about any vehicle and you'll get a straight answer.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about salvage or rebuilt titles? Here are a few we hear often. For anything else, give us a call or stop by our State Street lot.

Yes. Once a vehicle has passed its state inspection and been issued a rebuilt title, it can be registered and driven in Utah. Salvage title vehicles can't be registered until they complete that process.

No. Utah doesn't remove an existing salvage or rebuilt brand. Once a vehicle is branded as salvage, that history stays on its record, even after it's repaired and retitled as rebuilt. It's also part of why these vehicles are priced lower.

Usually, yes. Rebuilt title vehicles typically resell for less than clean title models, just as they cost less to buy. If you plan to keep your car for several years, that difference tends to matter less.

A rebuilt title means the vehicle was repaired and passed a Utah state inspection confirming it's safe and road legal. Every car we sell also comes with a three-month warranty, and we encourage you to take a test drive and ask about its history before you buy.

Yes, in many cases. Not every lender finances branded titles, but we work with a broad group of lenders, including Utah credit unions, to find options that fit. Apply online and our team will walk you through your terms.

Visit our used car dealership conveniently located in Midvale, UT, near Taylorsville, Murray, Sandy and across the Salt Lake Valley.

Saint Motors

Street address:
7391 South State Street
Midvale, UT 84047

Phone:
Sales: (801) 867-6047

DaySales Hours
Monday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
SundayClosed