Many salvage title vehicles here in California are the result of being sold
at a charity auction.  This is especially common among Vanagons due to their
propensity for failing emissions.  Owners get fed up with the smog process
and donate their Vanagon to charity.  If the vehicle fails the emissions
test for the charity, they end up selling it as a salvage title.  By selling
under a salvage title, they remove their liability that the vehicle is safe
and/or will pass emissions.

But you are right, the salvage title definitely decreases the value of the
vehicle.

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Allan Streib
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 12:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Salvage Title Consequences

Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@GMAIL.COM> writes:

> I'm curious to know how/if a salvaged title affects resale and
> value.

Absolutely, it dramatically lowers the value.  You really want to try
to find out WHY the salvage title was issued.  Generally it indicates
that the vehicle has been in a wreck and was damaged enough that an
insurance co. decided to total it.

If the damage was not terminal, and its been repaired well, they can
be a good value but will never have the same resale or trade-in value.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL