Okay, this is my first time looking at getting a car with a Hawaii salvage title.  Looking for fast, helpful advise on how to make sure I'm not buying a major headache.

The car is a 2015 4dr Honda Civic LX.  Mileage is 14,570.  Fair market value is $11,230.00.  Asking price is $8,000.

I drove it, and all seems to be fine.  Minor visible damage on the driver door.  The car appears to be a former fleet/loaner car for the dealership.  It's really unclear from the CarFAX report, but the dealer had a salvage title on if 5 days after transferring it as a corporate vehicle.  No damage reported, and still in operation, as it was able to rack up almost 5K miles.

It was damaged 11 months later on Left side, Left front, Left rear, and front areas.  Insurance totaled it, and a new salvage title was issued.

After auction, someone repaired it, and drove it for 1 yr 4 mons.

Current owner bought it for $9K in Dec, but her mother has decided to sell her SUV.  The owner needs a larger vehicle, so she's selling the Honda.

I read Hawaii requires totaled cars be repaired by a certified mechanic, and then inspected by a rebuilt car specialist before seeming it roadworthy.  Dealers can't do the repairs, because they could then sell a salvage car as a regular used car, which is not allowed.

I'm going to call the Honda dealers to try and schedule an inspection.  Main concerns I have are rust (if the steel beans or undercarriage were repaired) and air bags (not reported deployed in the accident).

That's about it.  Anyone have experience in this type of car here?   Mahalo!   

I never bought a rebuilt/salvaged vehicle (yet) as there are some underlying issues that can't be found immediately or to the naked eye such as frame damage (that always bug me). I'm guessing that someone would need to put it on a rack with specialized equipment to see if the frame is bent - which could lead to alignment / tire wear issues. I'm not a mechanic but I'm Chinese so I'm extra picky when spending that kinda money. There is a reason that the insurance declared it salvage / totaled. Money that could be spent on my bunker.
But anyways, my 2 cents. Those are the main concerns if I see a deal like that

I never bought a rebuilt/salvaged vehicle as there may be some underlying issues that can't be found immediately or to the naked eye such as frame damage. I'm guessing that someone would need to put it on a rack with specialized equipment to see if the frame is bent - which could lead to alignment / tire wear issues. I'm not a mechanic but I'm Chinese so I'm extra picky when spending that kinda money. There is a reason that the insurance declared it salvage / totaled. Money that could be spent on my bunker.

Yes, in Hawaii, the threshold is 75% for totaling a vehicle.  If the cost of repairs are 75% or more of the car's book value, the insurer will offer to write a check and total it.

The weird part is the damage wasn't added to CarFAX until 7/2017.  That's a long time after the first salvage title was created.  This car has basically had a salvage title it's whole life.   

The owner is going to do the inspection.  I offered, but she wants to see for herself what she's asking people to buy.  I think she might also be rethinking the asking price.  $3K - $4K is a big bite from the book value.  If she can get a clean inspection report, I'm thinking it's a good deal and "ok" risk.

I bought a salvage title car about ten yrs ago. Over the years it's had the usual stuff break down.
The only thing unusual I had to fix was the gas tank.

Recently I had a coolant leak in the cylinder head so my mechanic installed a sealer in the coolant.
So far, so good. I'm at 170,000 miles now. The car is 12 years old.

Maybe the Civic is one of those flood cars.

I bought a salvage title car about ten yrs ago. Over the years it's had the usual stuff break down.
The only thing unusual I had to fix was the gas tank.

Recently I had a coolant leak in the cylinder head so my mechanic installed a sealer in the coolant.
So far, so good. I'm at 170,000 miles now. The car is 12 years old.

Maybe the Civic is one of those flood cars.

I checked a few sites, and paid for CarFAX, to make sure it's not a flood "victim", among other concerns.  I heard Geico is dealing with 10% of their insured vehicles as flood damaged cars in Houston.  That's just one insurance company.

My daughter's boyfriend also had a good salvage vehicle here.  Just hoping to get an idea if there is anything more I can do up front to protect from major problems in addition to crossing my fingers.   

I checked a few sites, and paid for CarFAX, to make sure it's not a flood "victim", among other concerns.  I heard Geico is dealing with 10% of their insured vehicles as flood damaged cars in Houston.  That's just one insurance company.

My daughter's boyfriend also had a good salvage vehicle here.  Just hoping to get an idea if there is anything more I can do up front to protect from major problems in addition to crossing my fingers.   

don't forget to take into account the possibility of driving it into an ICBM missile silo
that theory has never been proven nor disproven...

Some insurance carriers wont insure a salvaged title for physical damage coverage, liability only.

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I always tell my kids to save up $1000 for repairs before buying a used car.
That way when they drive it home and something breaks immediately they got the money to fix it.
If something cost more than 1G to fix, hopefully it would be obvious before taking it home.

Some insurance carriers wont insure a salvaged title for physical damage coverage, liability only.

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I found that out in my reading.  I have USAA, and they said when I called that they will offer comprehensive coverage at the same rate as any non-salvage vehicle.

The only disclaimer was, if you have an accident that involves what might be pre-existing damage that caused the car to be totaled, they may deny a claim.

I told my daughter they need to make sure they only get hit on the passenger side.   

I always tell my kids to save up $1000 for repairs before buying a used car.
That way when they drive it home and something breaks immediately they got the money to fix it.
If something cost more than 1G to fix, hopefully it would be obvious before taking it home.

That's good advise I bet nobody takes!  If they have an extra $1000, that means they can afford a better car!   

don't forget to take into account the possibility of driving it into an ICBM missile silo
that theory has never been proven nor disproven...

USAA covers that along with any accidents involving Socialist members of the military, sheriff's office, police department, and other government funded "make-work" programs.   

oh, would you believe my son just started working as a service advisor for a well known luxury car dealer.
He's trying to get me to dump my old salvage car for a fancy new thang.

I told him "Don't let the customers see you drive home in that old Dodge of yours!"

If you plan on keeping the salvage title that's fine, if not, you're gonna have a hell of a time trying to resale it.  Also IMO salvage title drops the price to 50% or less of the blue book.  Especially if he car fax is sketchy and you can't get good records of damages.  Sit on it and see how long she takes to sell it at her asking price.  Civics are dime a dozen here.  I'm a car guy and will not buy a salvage titled car.

If you plan on keeping the salvage title that's fine, if not, you're gonna have a hell of a time trying to resale it.  Also IMO salvage title drops the price to 50% or less of the blue book.  Especially if he car fax is sketchy and you can't get good records of damages.  Sit on it and see how long she takes to sell it at her asking price.  Civics are dime a dozen here.  I'm a car guy and will not buy a salvage titled car.

There's no legal way NOT to keep the salvage title.  It's stays that way forever unless you can trick another state's DMV into issuing a new title without salvage.  Even then, the salvage title issuances follow the VIN no matter what.

Reselling is always an issue for any car with a record of major damage.  At least for this car, that fact is up front and not  hidden by the seller.

She texted that she made an appointment to have it inspected tomorrow.  I'm waiting patiently for the results.  I'm also researching if using that cash as a down payment on a new car will make the payments affordable for the daughter & boyfriend. 

Does the BF living with my daughter make him my son-out-law?  Just curious. 

There's no legal way NOT to keep the salvage title.  It's stays that way forever unless you can trick another state's DMV into issuing a new title without salvage.  Even then, the salvage title issuances follow the VIN no matter what.

Reselling is always an issue for any car with a record of major damage.  At least for this car, that fact is up front and not  hidden by the seller.

She texted that she made an appointment to have it inspected tomorrow.  I'm waiting patiently for the results.  I'm also researching if using that cash as a down payment on a new car will make the payments affordable for the daughter & boyfriend. 

Does the BF living with my daughter make him my son-out-law?  Just curious.

Personally I wouldn't buy it. I don't have any experience except a friend who bought a flood victim and had nothing but electrical problems. He had a hard time selling it.

I know the price is great but $10k-$12k can buy a nice used Toyota and $15k can buy a nice Honda that is Certified Pre-Owned with a 12 month/12k mile, 7 year, 100k mile continuation warranty. I bought a 2005 CRV under that program and I have been happy with it. Sometimes being pake works out and sometimes it doesn't. JMHO 

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Does the BF living with my daughter make him my son-out-law?  Just curious.

It makes him a moving target. 

It was damaged 11 months later on Left side, Left front, Left rear, and front areas.  Insurance totaled it, and a new salvage title was issued.

After auction, someone repaired it, and drove it for 1 yr 4 mons.

After auction...
Beware VIN switchers.
If you've ever been to the Insurance Auto Auction it's nuts.
All kind cars come out and sell for cents.
Then a Honda comes out and the bidding goes nuts from the cockroaches for totaled vehicles.
VIN switchers. They just want the clear VIN to get a salvage title to put on a comparable stolen vehicle.
Then sell at good profit.

If she's getting it checked out, tell 'em check the hidden VIN's to corroborate the dash and door VIN's.

Thanks for all the input.  My final take is you take the same chance on a salvage car being just as good, or just as bad, as any other used car.  The real issues are (1) USAA may deny a claim if an accident includes the same (existing) damage that was involved when it was totaled, and (2) there is ZERO vehicle warranty from the manufacturer regardless of age, which includes recalls.


I mentioned taking the car to a mechanic for a complete inspection.  The owner volunteered to have it done and pay for it.  I said I'd pay, but she insisted she wanted to do it.

So, when she sent me images of the report, the airbag showed an error code:  B0020-13.  Googling came up with a possible wiring problem causing a short or disconnect on the driver side airbag.  Could be easy to fix (reconnecting the wire to the harness) or expensive (replace airbag).

The airbag was one thing I was concerned with since the car was damaged all along the driver side.  No airbag deployment was reported on CarFAX, but I think a rebuilder could have cheaped-out and not fully repaired or replaced a damaged or deployed bag.

The kicker is that the airbag warning light isn't on.  That might be a common thing since the Googled document says "Possible Symptom: Airbag Warning Light On".  Or, it could indicate the bag wasn't working, the light was on, and someone disabled the light to pass the safety inspection.  The mechanic that did the inspection didn't mention the code, so he must have relied on the warning light to "pass" the airbag in the report.

I'm 80% sure I'm going to pass on this car.  Interestingly, I found another 'vehicles for sale" FB page, and saw no fewer than 4 other Rebuilt Title cars.  The discounts weren't nearly as deep as this Civic, though.

There are plenty of non-salvage vehicles listed.  If this car was for me, I might be leaning toward taking a chance, but I don't want to gamble with my daughter's safety.  I want something that more than likely won't strand her on H-3 coming home late some night, or fail to protect her in a crash.

Thanks for all the input.  My final take is you take the same chance on a salvage car being just as good, or just as bad, as any other used car.  The real issues are (1) USAA may deny a claim if an accident includes the same (existing) damage that was involved when it was totaled, and (2) there is ZERO vehicle warranty from the manufacturer regardless of age, which includes recalls.

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I had plenty recall work done to my car at zero cost.
Mostly all minor stuff except for the power steering which was a chronic problem with chevy HHR and Cobalts.
Again, no charge.

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I had plenty recall work done to my car at zero cost.
Mostly all minor stuff except for the power steering which was a chronic problem with chevy HHR and Cobalts.
Again, no charge.

Well, that's good.  The info I got from the CarFAX and other reports showed no warranty included for any work.  Maybe if it's a safety issue, they have to cover the repair?