MVD | What makes a vehicle a salvage vehicle?

**MVD Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday excluding state holidays **

What makes a vehicle a Salvage vehicle in this state?

A salvage vehicle is any motor vehicle:

• Damaged to the extent that it’s restoration to an operable condition would require the replacement of two or more major component parts, as listed below,

• That an insurance company has paid a “total loss claim” and the vehicle has not been repaired, regardless of the extent of damage to such vehicle or the number of major component parts required to repair such vehicle.

• That is an imported motor vehicle that has been damaged in shipment and disclaimed by the manufacturer as a result of the damage; has never been the subject of a retail sale to a consumer; and, has never been issued a certificate of title.

Motor Vehicles Not a Salvage Vehicle

A salvage motor vehicle is not a motor vehicle:

• That has been recovered with the manufacturer’s vehicle identification intact (a/k/a serial plate); the vehicle is undamaged; has only cosmetic damage; or has been damaged but only to the extent that its restoration to an operative condition will not require the replacement of two or more major component parts, as listed below.

• For which a “total loss claim” has been paid and for which vehicle has sustained only cosmetic damage from causes other than by fire or flood.

Major Component Parts

A major component part of a motor vehicle is any one of the following sub-assemblies:

Front Clip Assembly (Fender, grille, hood and bumper),

Rear Clip Assembly (Quarter panels and floor panel assembly,

Engine and Transmission,

Top Assembly , with the exception of soft-tops (Convertible),

Frame ; or,

A Complete Side of a vehicle (including fenders, door(s) and quarter panel).