So, you’re ready to sell your salvage car in the Sunshine State. There are steps you need to take before you can finally get rid of your salvage car in Florida. Let’s get started!
What is Considered a Salvage Car in Florida?
In the state of Florida, you have a salvage or a “total loss” vehicle if:
- It has a value of at least $1,500 and your insurance company pays you to replace it with a vehicle of similar type and quality
- Your insurance company agrees to help pay for repairs, BUT the repairs cost more than 100% of the cost to replace the car.
- You do not have auto insurance to cover the damages and the cost of repairs or rebuilding the vehicle will be 80% or more of the car’s replacement value.
If you need help deciding whether your car qualifies as a salvage, you can call the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FL DHSMV) at (850) 617-2000.
How Do You Sell a Salvage Car in Florida?
It is illegal to operate a salvage title car in Florida, which means regardless of the sentimental value your car holds, it will likely sit in your garage unless you plan on rebuilding the vehicle. If you let the car sit, its condition will worsen over time. However, you can make a few extra dollars from your salvage vehicle. There are three different ways you can sell your salvage car in Florida:
- Parting out the vehicle – this means you are selling the car piece by piece to other individuals who are looking for engines, transmissions, and other parts that are less expensive than new auto parts.
Parting out your vehicle will take time and patience, as well as mechanical know-how. If you don’t have patience, it’s okay, it happens to the best of us. As far as mechanical know-how, this is a must-have. If you don’t have either of these, it’s best to consider a different option for selling your salvage car.
- Selling the Car As-is – it’s not illegal to buy and sell a salvage title car in the state of Florida. You must be upfront regarding the car’s condition to potential buyers. Misrepresenting the car can land you in serious legal trouble.
- Scrapping the Car – be advised that junkyards and scrap yard don’t pay millions for your salvaged car, but you’ll receive your money quickly and the money is guaranteed. Scrapping your car is the best option if you want the car gone and aren’t concerned about a large payout.
How is a Salvage Title Different from a Junk Title?
If you didn’t know there is a difference between a junk title and a salvage title, you’re not the only one. You need to know the difference between the two when you’re selling your car. The key difference between a salvage title and a junk title is a junk title means that the car has been declared as being “totaled” with no chance of rebuilding, and a salvage title means the vehicle doesn’t run as it should, but it can be repaired.
A salvage title can’t be issued to a vehicle that has been deemed “junk” or was totaled by an auto insurance company. However, these cars can have mechanical issues that make them difficult to repair.
Also as the owner of a salvage car, you have the option to repair the vehicle and have it inspected for a new FL title and registration. Once the car is deemed roadworthy by an authorized individual or company, a salvage title or a rebuilt title may be given. The salvage or rebuilt title declares that your vehicle has sustained major damage at one time but was repaired and deemed safe by an auto repair shop. If you have a junk title, rebuilding the car is NOT an option.
Who Buys Salvage Cars Near Me?
There are tons of salvage yards in Florida. We’re not going to list them all, but we’ll list a few salvage yards to help you on your journey!
Ben’s Auto Salvage
4707 Voorhees Rd
New Port Richey, FL 34653
(727) 842-2367
Tuesday – Friday (8:30 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (Closed)
Stepp’s Auto & Truck Salvage, Inc.
11607 Ossie Murphy Rd.
San Antonia, FL 33576
(352) 588-3100
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Plant City Auto Salvage
4303 State Road 574
Plant City, FL 33563
(813) 754-1790
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday (9 AM – 2 PM)
Sunday (Closed)
American Auto & Truck Salvage
2363 US Highway 441/27
Fruitland, FL 34731
(352) 787-8284
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Can You Insure a Salvage Title Car in Florida?
Cars that have a rebuilt or salvage title have both sustained severe damage to the point the repairs are more expensive than the cost to replace the car. The difference in this situation is that a salvage title car has NOT been repaired, and a rebuilt title car HAS been repaired.
With that said, a salvage title car CAN NOT be operated legally on the roads and CAN NOT be insured. However, if you fix a salvage title car, you can obtain a rebuilt title that shows the car meets Florida’s requirement for being roadworthy. Once this is done, you can insure the car. Here’s a chart you can use to help you understand what you can and can’t do with a salvage title car.
| Type of title | Can you drive on roads? | Can you get minimum insurance? | Can you get full-coverage insurance? |
| Clean title | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Salvage title | No | No | No |
| Rebuilt title | Yes | Usually | Sometimes |
| Junk title | No | No | No |
Can I Salvage My Car Without a Title in Florida?
Yes. In Florida, a salvage dealer can buy, sell, dismantle, repair, or rebuild vehicles by using different car parts from clunkers, or other cars that are no longer functional. Selling your car to a salvage dealer is ideal if you no longer have the car’s title. To be paid for scrapping your car, the car you’re scrapping must be at least 10 model years old and must be valued at less than $1,000. You will also have to provide your thumbprint and driver’s license.
How Do You Register a Salvage Title Car in Florida?
To register a salvage car in Florida, first, you need to own the vehicle. Next, you need to assess the damage. Salvage cars are generally damaged cars that require a lot of repairs to be deemed roadworthy. If you can, obtain an original copy of the insurance company’s estimate for repairs. You can use this estimate as a guideline on what needs to be repaired and the order in which the car may need to be repaired.
Your next step is to repair the vehicle. It’s important that you keep all the receipts of the parts that were purchased and repairs that were made. It’s good to have these receipts when it’s time to have your car inspected, which is the next step.
Next, you need to have your car inspected by the FL Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department. Keep in mind that you are still NOT allowed to drive your car at this time, even if you have gotten the car up and running, so it needs to be towed to the FL HSMVD or an authorized inspection agent. Once the inspection is complete, the inspector will attach a decal and may provide paperwork that indicates you are now eligible to apply for a Florida rebuilt car title.
To apply for a Florida rebuilt car title, you need to complete the application and pay the applicable fees. After you complete this step, you can register your salvage car. Congratulations!
Now that you know what it takes to sell a salvage car in Florida, it’s time to sell your salvage car!
