A luxury car with a blown engine might be "totaled" because a new motor costs $20k, even if the body is mint.
Most totaled cars are sold through massive insurance auctions. buy totaled cars
Some companies won't cover rebuilt cars at all; others will only give you liability, not full coverage. A luxury car with a blown engine might
This is the "wild west." You’re buying from individuals who either bought a salvage car and realized they were in over their heads, or someone trying to offload a wreck before the insurance company hauls it away. 2. The "Totaled" Spectrum This is the "wild west
These are the titans. They handle the vast majority of insurance write-offs. You often need a dealer’s license to bid on the best stuff, but many states allow "public" auctions for certain inventory.
Buying a totaled car—or a "salvage title" vehicle—is the ultimate high-stakes gamble for the gearhead. It’s where most people see a twisted heap of metal, but a few see a weekend project or a donor for a dream build.
Check for "Flood" titles specifically. Electrical gremlins from saltwater are a slow-motion nightmare that no amount of mechanical skill can truly fix.
