Considering Buying a Totaled Car? 4 Things To Consider in Beaverton

Things to Know About A Vehicle That's Been In An Accident from the service professionals at Carr Subaru in Beaverton, OR

As affordable as Subaru models are, the fact remains that cars are expensive. Special dealership offers and used vehicles can help with this, but there's another method that some have discovered: buying a salvage car. A salvage car is one that has been totaled after being in a major accident. This means that the insurance company determined that it would be more expensive to repair the car than to pay its owner the estimated value before it was damaged.

Salvage cars are certainly less expensive up front than new and regular used cars. However, they come with a host of problems of their own, and can end up costing you even more. If you've considered buying a salvage car, here are four things to consider beforehand.

A close-up of two vehicles in a rear-end collision on a rainy road.

4. Salvage Cars Are Hard To Sell

In a few years, if you're trying to sell your vehicle, you may discover that many dealerships won't take salvage cars. If you happen upon a dealership that will take one, you'll find that the amount they pay will be small. You're not likely to have much luck selling directly to another person, either. People are rightly wary of salvage cars, so finding a buyer may be a long process.

A man with a clipboard crouches next to a car with a damaged hood, inspecting it and writing on his paper.

3. Your Insurance May Not Cover It

Most insurance companies will likely provide liability coverage for salvage cars, but that's just the bare minimum of what's required by law. Typically, this type of coverage won't cover any damage to your vehicle. With this coverage, an accident that's not your fault will likely result with you dealing with the other person's insurance, which is often more difficult. If you're interested in adding collision coverage, you might have a hard time with your insurance. Many companies refuse to cover salvage cars beyond the very basics, since it can be hard to ascertain whether any damage was preexisting or not.

A man kneels next to a car in disrepair, working on its interior with tools scattered about.

2. Salvage Cars Aren't Always Safe

If a salvage car has been rebuilt at a reputable place, it may be safe. However, if the person restoring the car cut any corners, you may have a car that won't protect you as well. In addition, some crash safety features may have been compromised without being noticed.

1. Salvage Cars May Cost You More Money Over Time

Though a salvage car may be cheap at the time of purchase, it may not stay that way. There are many problems that may not be noticed for months after an accident, only to show up once you thought everything was handled. Fixing these can be costly, as can maintaining a vehicle that's been in an accident. A much safer and wiser choice is to look at used vehicles without a salvage title. You can find many of these at Carr Subaru.