Salvage transfer

When a vehicle is considered a “salvage” in California, it means that the repair cost exceeds the market value of the vehicle. A salvage certificate is issued by the DMV to indicate that the vehicle has been damaged and is considered a total loss.

Transferring a vehicle with a salvage certificate is possible, but a specific process must be followed. The new owner will need to complete a title transfer form and pay a transfer fee. In addition, the vehicle will need to pass a safety inspection performed by a DMV or CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL inspection station, 2 BREAK AND LIGHTS verification, 3 Emissions Inspection. If the vehicle passes inspection, a new title will be issued to the new owner, but it will still bear the “salvage” designation. It is important to note that vehicles with salvage certificates may have additional restrictions for registration and operation, depending on the state and circumstances of the damage.