Insurance totaling car for cosmetic damage, what would I need for salvaged title?
Posted by ThatIsNotAnAsian@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 3 comments
So my car was damaged on the quarter panel, relatively high up and a relatively minor dent, however the repair shop insurance sent me to said they would replace the entire quarter panel rather than attempting to reshape the existing body lines. So the cost outweighed the value and caused my car to be totaled.
They just told me the amount I could buy the car back and it is much less than I expected.
After buy back I would keep about $5000. I recently put $6000 into the car to get fixed the main problem it has (e92 328i xdrive). So mechanically I’m confident it could last a while longer.
What would the process be to get the car legally drivable in NC? It sounds like I need to pass an inspection to prove that it is safe to drive, however am I required to fix this dent before that or since it is purely cosmetic to my knowledge can I take it in as is and potentially pass?
I have tried to get in touch with the autobody shop that has it now but they never answer, but I want to ask them if it is at all structural or just a dent.
For context:
2011 328i xdrive 120,000 miles
Right now I do not commute so my annual mileage is probably 1-2000.
I just need a car that works, spending $20k on a new car in my position seems silly.
I just need to know if this is a gamble and could be a money pit, or if I could take the $5000, get it titled and drivable?
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
I doubt you have to fix a cosmetic dent to register it.
ThatIsNotAnAsian@reddit (OP)
That’s good
I just got in touch with the mechanic and he confirmed there was nothing structural at all
I do have two slow leaks on the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket. I could get the valve cover gasket fixed, but I’m hoping the oil pan gasket is so slow and non essential that it’d be fine to leave.
Heavy_Performer1007@reddit
Try adding a bunch of Lucas Oil Stabilizer, it should leak less. On the other hand, you'll always need to use it from now on because of its chemical effects on the rubberized plastic without it there's a chance it'll leak worse than it did B4 yet it'll probably slow down the leak or maybe stop it if u do start using it.
Also, registering the car and getting rid of the salvage title are different things your registration is still gonna be there but if you try and sell it or if you try to reregister it after you run out of registration they might tell you that it's a salvage title
No one has yet explained to OP how to get the salvage title turned into a rebuilt title