Salvage title to Canada - what happens?
10-13-2009, 10:37 PM
#1
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Salvage title to Canada - what happens?
I am looking at possibly bringing a salvage titiled 996 to Canada. It is a theft recovery and subject to PPI in fine shape.. Price under $20K. What is the impact when a salvage title comes to Ontario? I don't think that it shows anywhere on the Ontario ownership.
Thanks
Thanks
10-13-2009, 10:43 PM
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http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx
Vehicle branding history
It is important for you to research the background of the vehicle you intend to import. If a vehicle had previous damage substantial enough to result in an insurance write off, the insurer is legally required to report a vehicle “brand” to the U.S. state licensing authority. This brand becomes a permanent record on the vehicle’s U.S. title. Brands are carried forward from state to state. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) reports all U.S. brands on vehicles to all the provinces and territories through a system called the Interprovincial Records Exchange (IRE).
Depending on the type of U.S. brand, a province/territory may require a second, more rigorous, structural integrity inspection before issuing a license for the vehicle. Some U.S. brands are equivalent to the Canadian “non-repairable” status. Vehicles with a non-repairable status cannot be legally licensed in any jurisdiction in Canada.
RIV recommends that you obtain a complete title history for any vehicle you may consider importing.
What is a vehicle brand?
A brand is a permanent designation on a vehicle’s title indicating that the vehicle has previously sustained substantial damage through collision, natural disaster (flood, fire, hail, etc) or any other occurrence requiring repair.
In the United States, brands vary from state to state but generally align with equivalent Canadian brands (or vehicle status). Examples of Canadian brands include:
1. Clear/Normal
A vehicle that has never been written off or declared as a total loss.
2. Salvage
A vehicle that has been written off or declared a total loss. It may be safely rebuilt and re-licensed provided it passes a structural integrity inspection administered through a provincial/territorial licensing body.
3. Rebuilt
A vehicle that was previously titled as “salvage” but has now been repaired and has passed a structural integrity inspection. Subject to a successful provincial/territorial safety inspection, these vehicles qualify for licensing.
4. Non-repairable
A vehicle that has sustained structural damage to the extent it cannot be rebuilt and safely put back on the road. Once designated as non-repairable, a vehicle can never be licensed in Canada, and can only be used for parts or scrap.
The brand record is associated with the vehicle identification number (VIN) and remains part of its permanent history. A vehicle’s status may change from “clear” to “salvage” to “rebuilt”, but each status will be part of the vehicle’s permanent record.
Are brands the same in Canada and the United States?
Although U.S. jurisdictions have a greater variety of brands and sub-brands, they essentially relate to the brands described above.
By sharing branding records, licensing jurisdictions across Canada and the United States work to ensure that previously damaged vehicles are repaired properly before they return to the road. Similarly, they keep vehicles with structural damage that prevents their safe operation, from being licensed for useanywherein Canada.
Examples of U.S. Brands Equivalent Canadian Brand
Clear, clean, normal, none, original
Normal
Salvage, salvageable, total loss, total insurance loss, write off, salvage/re-buildable
These brands are often used in combination with descriptions such as: collision, fire, smoke, *water, *flood, hail, stolen/recovered, lemon law buyback, manufacturer’s buyback etc.
Salvage
* Flood-damaged vehicles coming from the U.S. are considered junk/non-repairable by all licensing jurisdictions in Canada. These vehicles cannot be legally licensed and can only be imported for use as scrap or parts.
Rebuilt, repaired, reconstructed, prior salvage, restored, reconditioned, damage/repair
Rebuilt
Junk, scrap, parts, parts-only, dismantled, non-repairable, destroyed, irreparable
Non-repairable
If you have questions regarding a U.S. brand and the equivalent Canadian brand, please contact the provincial/territorial licensing jurisdiction where you intend to license the vehicle.
Does RIV brand vehicles?
RIV does not brand vehicles. As part of the import process, RIV searches available electronic U.S. databases to determine what brand, if any, is associated with vehicles being imported into Canada. If a vehicle has a previous U.S. brand, this brand will be made available by RIV to all licensing jurisdictions in Canada through the IRE. A U.S. brand remains part of the vehicle’s permanent record and is one of the factors used by a jurisdiction when determining whether or not to license a vehicle. RIV does not brand or alter the existing brand of any vehicle; this authority lies with the provincial/territorial licensing jurisdictions.
Licensing in Canada
If the vehicle you plan to import has a U.S. brand, you should contact your licensing jurisdiction before you import, to determine whether or not the vehicle can be licensed and if additional requirements apply.
Where more than one brand has been issued for a vehicle, the highest-risk or “worst case” will appear on the IRE. For example, if a vehicle’s history shows a “junk” brand in one state and a more recent “rebuilt” brand from another state, the “junk” brand will be displayed on the IRE with the equivalent Canadian vehicle status of non-repairable. Simply put: if the vehicle you intend to import has ever had a “junk”, “scrap”, “parts-only”, “dismantled” or similar type of brand at any time from a U.S. jurisdiction, it will have the equivalent Canadian status of non-repairable. Non-repairable status vehicles cannot be legally licensed in Canada and can only be imported as scrap or “parts-only”.
Flood damaged vehicles
While it is possible to import a flood-damaged vehicle, licensing jurisdictions in Canada consider vehicles with a ”salvage/flood” brand as non-repairable. These vehicles cannot be licensed for road use anywhere in Canada and can only be used for scrap or parts.
Disputing a U.S. brand
If you feel a brand was applied in error or you wish to try and change a brand status, contact the authority in the state that originally issued the brand. You must obtain written confirmation of the brand adjustment from the state and forward copies to both RIV and your provincial/territorial licensing jurisdiction for further consideration.
Title history searches
RIV recommends that importers conduct a complete title history search on a vehicle before purchase, in order to see all brands assigned to that vehicle by U.S. licensing jurisdictions.
The following companies provide title histories for a fee:
CARFAX©
AutoCheck©
CarProof™
Note: RIV is not responsible for the web site content, services or results provided by companies offering these or similar services.
* Need assistance?
* Help/FAQ
* Glossary
* Helpful links
* Track Your Case
* Make an RIV Payment
© 2009 Registrar of Imported Vehicles. All rights reserved.
Site Map | Legal | Privacy
Vehicle branding history
It is important for you to research the background of the vehicle you intend to import. If a vehicle had previous damage substantial enough to result in an insurance write off, the insurer is legally required to report a vehicle “brand” to the U.S. state licensing authority. This brand becomes a permanent record on the vehicle’s U.S. title. Brands are carried forward from state to state. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) reports all U.S. brands on vehicles to all the provinces and territories through a system called the Interprovincial Records Exchange (IRE).
Depending on the type of U.S. brand, a province/territory may require a second, more rigorous, structural integrity inspection before issuing a license for the vehicle. Some U.S. brands are equivalent to the Canadian “non-repairable” status. Vehicles with a non-repairable status cannot be legally licensed in any jurisdiction in Canada.
RIV recommends that you obtain a complete title history for any vehicle you may consider importing.
What is a vehicle brand?
A brand is a permanent designation on a vehicle’s title indicating that the vehicle has previously sustained substantial damage through collision, natural disaster (flood, fire, hail, etc) or any other occurrence requiring repair.
In the United States, brands vary from state to state but generally align with equivalent Canadian brands (or vehicle status). Examples of Canadian brands include:
1. Clear/Normal
A vehicle that has never been written off or declared as a total loss.
2. Salvage
A vehicle that has been written off or declared a total loss. It may be safely rebuilt and re-licensed provided it passes a structural integrity inspection administered through a provincial/territorial licensing body.
3. Rebuilt
A vehicle that was previously titled as “salvage” but has now been repaired and has passed a structural integrity inspection. Subject to a successful provincial/territorial safety inspection, these vehicles qualify for licensing.
4. Non-repairable
A vehicle that has sustained structural damage to the extent it cannot be rebuilt and safely put back on the road. Once designated as non-repairable, a vehicle can never be licensed in Canada, and can only be used for parts or scrap.
The brand record is associated with the vehicle identification number (VIN) and remains part of its permanent history. A vehicle’s status may change from “clear” to “salvage” to “rebuilt”, but each status will be part of the vehicle’s permanent record.
Are brands the same in Canada and the United States?
Although U.S. jurisdictions have a greater variety of brands and sub-brands, they essentially relate to the brands described above.
By sharing branding records, licensing jurisdictions across Canada and the United States work to ensure that previously damaged vehicles are repaired properly before they return to the road. Similarly, they keep vehicles with structural damage that prevents their safe operation, from being licensed for useanywherein Canada.
Examples of U.S. Brands Equivalent Canadian Brand
Clear, clean, normal, none, original
Normal
Salvage, salvageable, total loss, total insurance loss, write off, salvage/re-buildable
These brands are often used in combination with descriptions such as: collision, fire, smoke, *water, *flood, hail, stolen/recovered, lemon law buyback, manufacturer’s buyback etc.
Salvage
* Flood-damaged vehicles coming from the U.S. are considered junk/non-repairable by all licensing jurisdictions in Canada. These vehicles cannot be legally licensed and can only be imported for use as scrap or parts.
Rebuilt, repaired, reconstructed, prior salvage, restored, reconditioned, damage/repair
Rebuilt
Junk, scrap, parts, parts-only, dismantled, non-repairable, destroyed, irreparable
Non-repairable
If you have questions regarding a U.S. brand and the equivalent Canadian brand, please contact the provincial/territorial licensing jurisdiction where you intend to license the vehicle.
Does RIV brand vehicles?
RIV does not brand vehicles. As part of the import process, RIV searches available electronic U.S. databases to determine what brand, if any, is associated with vehicles being imported into Canada. If a vehicle has a previous U.S. brand, this brand will be made available by RIV to all licensing jurisdictions in Canada through the IRE. A U.S. brand remains part of the vehicle’s permanent record and is one of the factors used by a jurisdiction when determining whether or not to license a vehicle. RIV does not brand or alter the existing brand of any vehicle; this authority lies with the provincial/territorial licensing jurisdictions.
Licensing in Canada
If the vehicle you plan to import has a U.S. brand, you should contact your licensing jurisdiction before you import, to determine whether or not the vehicle can be licensed and if additional requirements apply.
Where more than one brand has been issued for a vehicle, the highest-risk or “worst case” will appear on the IRE. For example, if a vehicle’s history shows a “junk” brand in one state and a more recent “rebuilt” brand from another state, the “junk” brand will be displayed on the IRE with the equivalent Canadian vehicle status of non-repairable. Simply put: if the vehicle you intend to import has ever had a “junk”, “scrap”, “parts-only”, “dismantled” or similar type of brand at any time from a U.S. jurisdiction, it will have the equivalent Canadian status of non-repairable. Non-repairable status vehicles cannot be legally licensed in Canada and can only be imported as scrap or “parts-only”.
Flood damaged vehicles
While it is possible to import a flood-damaged vehicle, licensing jurisdictions in Canada consider vehicles with a ”salvage/flood” brand as non-repairable. These vehicles cannot be licensed for road use anywhere in Canada and can only be used for scrap or parts.
Disputing a U.S. brand
If you feel a brand was applied in error or you wish to try and change a brand status, contact the authority in the state that originally issued the brand. You must obtain written confirmation of the brand adjustment from the state and forward copies to both RIV and your provincial/territorial licensing jurisdiction for further consideration.
Title history searches
RIV recommends that importers conduct a complete title history search on a vehicle before purchase, in order to see all brands assigned to that vehicle by U.S. licensing jurisdictions.
The following companies provide title histories for a fee:
CARFAX©
AutoCheck©
CarProof™
Note: RIV is not responsible for the web site content, services or results provided by companies offering these or similar services.
* Need assistance?
* Help/FAQ
* Glossary
* Helpful links
* Track Your Case
* Make an RIV Payment
© 2009 Registrar of Imported Vehicles. All rights reserved.
Site Map | Legal | Privacy
10-13-2009, 10:54 PM
#4
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Why bother when you can buy a perfectly clean one for $2000-$3000 more???
Thanks Desmoc... that helps.
10-13-2009, 11:10 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
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Short answer, on your green ownership slip it will say "REBUILT" where it normally says "NOT BRANDED" (that is assuming you repair it and plan on putting it on the street).
10-13-2009, 11:33 PM
#6
Drifting
Your insurance company may also discover the issue here as well MTO. I know my insurance company (State Farm) checked my VIN for me when I called it in to them. I didn't even tell them the car was from from Vegas and right away they mention it to me as we are talking. It might have been to protect me or it might have been to protect them, (my guess was 'them') but either they use Car Fax or an industry database but this information is used as part of an anti fraud program.
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10-14-2009, 10:34 AM
#9
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10-14-2009, 01:43 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
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Unless something has changed in the last couple of years I don't think there are any restrictions. My MDX was imported from the US as salvage in early 2007, it was repaired and has been running fine. As mentioned earlier, my ownership is branded with "REBUILT" title.
10-14-2009, 09:04 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Theft recovery is fine.. however it will be branded as salvage, just remember salvaged title means lower resale.. If you were bringing in a truly salvaged Porsche then I would recommend against it based on all the horror stories.
I buy from Impact Auto in Hamilton and Stouffville Ontario non branded cars, everything in Quebec gets branded right away. Buying non branded also makes like easy because you don't need to go through the salvage mechanical inspection.
I buy from Impact Auto in Hamilton and Stouffville Ontario non branded cars, everything in Quebec gets branded right away. Buying non branded also makes like easy because you don't need to go through the salvage mechanical inspection.
07-30-2012, 04:43 PM
#12
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Importing salvage title to Ontario
Hello Sultan,
Thanks for your post! I am just wondering how would I drive the car around in States till I reach the US/Canada customs at Niagara. Basically what plates/insurance would I be required to have on the car before its registered in Canada. I do not have US driving license so I am confused how is it going to work. Basically my uncle is buying a car for me that has salvage title but its not flooded.. so I am trying to find out what the whole procedure is going to be. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Thanks for your post! I am just wondering how would I drive the car around in States till I reach the US/Canada customs at Niagara. Basically what plates/insurance would I be required to have on the car before its registered in Canada. I do not have US driving license so I am confused how is it going to work. Basically my uncle is buying a car for me that has salvage title but its not flooded.. so I am trying to find out what the whole procedure is going to be. Thanks in advance for all your help!
07-30-2012, 05:28 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
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Someone else handled that part of it for me so I don't know how it would be done. But if I were to venture a guess, I'd say if a safety inspection was performed in the US and it was on the road but just branded, you would continue to use the same process when bringing a non-branded vehicle over here. But again, I'm no expert in that matter.
07-31-2012, 11:36 AM
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Someone else handled that part of it for me so I don't know how it would be done. But if I were to venture a guess, I'd say if a safety inspection was performed in the US and it was on the road but just branded, you would continue to use the same process when bringing a non-branded vehicle over here. But again, I'm no expert in that matter.
cheers
07-31-2012, 12:42 PM
#15
A lot of Rennlisters say this, but it isn't really true (in Canada). My bro is looking right now. Prices are higher than a couple years ago. With exchange and duty, the states isn't much cheaper. Yes, there are deals if you live there and know somebody selling one, but trying to find a deal remotely isn't as easy as is often suggested.
