V Code Superbird at IAA Insurance Auction IT'S BACK!!!

[nakita7]

So why did they sell a $17,000 lawn ornament to someone, knowing that the car can never be fixed up? Isn't that fraudulant and misleading?

[MJS73]

So why did they sell a $17,000 lawn ornament to someone, knowing that the car can never be fixed up? Isn't that fraudulant and misleading?

I assume the buyer knew he wasn't getting a restored trailer queen.  One look at the photos told you what you were bidding on.

Mike

[lumpy]

Yep, he's probably got a nice donor car waiting at home. No fraud intended, remember it was probably a no reserve auction.

['Cuda Hunter]

Good point Nakita.  The insurance company sold something that can't be licensed.  Seems like they sold it for way too much knowing that is is unlicenseable.  That does seem fraudulent in the way of the insurance company.  Especially since they deal with that sort of thing all the time.  Doesn't make sense to me.  You can rebody the car but it is a listed car as being salvaged and non fixable..? Just how does this work?  Will they really be denied the ability to license the car? 
  Can't you bring a totaled car back from the dead even if it was listed as such.  I know I have seen trashed cars that people have brought back to life.  How did they get licensed cars out of a totaled car? 

[73Chally]

Just curious, but do we know for a fact that there is no way whatsoever that that car could ever be put back on the street with that VIN?  I agree that this is probably a rebody in the making, but if the VIN were to be cancelled like was said before, then how could it be auctioned off and not crushed.  It seems to me like there would be some legal way that the new owner can restore and register it, otherwise why would they buy it.  Obviously they know the rules since they have the license that allowed them to bid, so why would they buy a junk car knowing they will lose their license if they try to do anything illegal?  Just playing the devil's advocate here

[ChallengerGary]

The insurance auction is doing something that is 100% legit and legal.  Unfortunately, they cannot control what the buyer chooses to do with the vehicle.  Generally, if a car has a salvage title it can rebuilt but it will be assigned a new, state-assigned VIN when the rebuild is complete.  There also is a placard that gets applied to the vehicle stating it is a salvage car.   There are actually a large number of dealers that sell salvage vehicles both before and aftter they are rebuilt.  They must document the rebuild with photos and receipts and then must pass a law enforcement inspection plus a regular state inspection. 

[72hemi]

In California a salvaged car does not get a new state issued vin, just a note on the title that states such. I have heard a rumor though that if a salvaged car transfers owners a certain number of times (I think 3) then the salvage mark is removed from the title. I admit it would be very difficult and take a lot of time and money to do, but I have seen documented cars that were much worse than this car (hard to believe I know but true) that were restored to showroom condition. It can be done. I am reminded of a saying my dad always tells me "man who says it cannot be done should not interupt man doing it." I know if I had the time and money I would take that car and restore it (and completely document the process) just to prove to the world that this car can be saved.

[73Chally]

Thanks for the clarification.  Since this car was sold through a publicized auction, with the VIN recorded and documented, I don't see how the buyer could rebody and sell it off as if it were just another restoration.  I know there are ways around it, but since it's not a VIN tag he came across in a junkyard, etc, it seems like it would be too much risk to do.

[nakita7]

If the insurance company sold it, and it can't be licenced again, then the insurance company should be fined and/or jail. That's ridiculous. I have personally bought "write-offs" before, you fix 'em, register 'em and drive 'em. Now, I'm in Canada, and I'm sure the laws are a bit different in every jurisdiction, but let's use some common sense here. They are selling a CAR. A CAR is meant to be driven. If THAT CAR can't be driven again, then THAT CAR should have been crushed, period, no questions asked.

[MoparMan440]

If the insurance company sold it, and it can't be licenced again, then the insurance company should be fined and/or jail. That's ridiculous. I have personally bought "write-offs" before, you fix 'em, register 'em and drive 'em. Now, I'm in Canada, and I'm sure the laws are a bit different in every jurisdiction, but let's use some common sense here. They are selling a CAR. A CAR is meant to be driven. If THAT CAR can't be driven again, then THAT CAR should have been crushed, period, no questions asked.

  not sure how or why they can sell something like this.

Barry, you mentioned this can never be titled again. Does this mean no rebuild, salvage ect title can be obtained ? Also I know certian states never transfer the salvage wording/label on titles. I believe those are the states most commonly used with title washing. With the age of the vehilce there is no carfax/autocheck report to uncover any of this. I sure hope I understood that there's a certian status on this VIN otherwise someone will be taken.

[lumpy]

It can be done and probably will be. States have different laws and regulations. When it is finished, I would guess that it will have a clean title and it's original VIN. The VIN can be transfered to the donor car immediately and the car then can be "washed" in a different state. It's probably being done as we post!!  As far as the insurance company, they are completely off the hook, they did nothing wrong. Most all of these cars, literally 10's of thousands, are sold with salvage titels and are as-is.

[birdboy]

salvage titles turn into rebuilt titles all day long. im driving a 2008 dodge avenger right now with a rebuilt title. its the titles that are stamped "CD" cert of destruction that can not be put back on the road.

[gkring]

Technically that car has to go somewhere. As far as insurance is concerned they are selling it off as a parts car or as scrap metal, so legally they are covered. I have been known to pay someone extra for something i thought I was getting a very goo deal, but I can not remember a time I turned down money. An insurance company sure as hell would not be who you looked for to do what was "right", especiallly in the car business. I agree it is a rebody in the making. Hopefully it will make it onto a registry somewhere  and  legitmate buyers will do their research.

[lumpy]

  Just think about the amount that was paid in the claim, probably 150-200k. They are entitled to recoup some of that money by selling the car at auction.

[MoparMan440]

Just think about the amount that was paid in the claim, probably 150-200k. They are entitled to recoup some of that money by selling the car at auction.

I have no problem with them recouping some of their money even though they do just fine with private investments and our premiums. I have a problem with the car being sold without consumer protection. Of course that's a gov issue not insurance. Hopefully it's been labeled where a title can never be issued and that includes a rebuilt. I see this no different than selling a dash pad with a VIN and a title which I'm not legally allowed to do. If I deem it "what's left from a salvage vehicle" can I Ebay it ? Seriously, is it any different ? They both have the same reusable parts.  Thoughts ?

I understand I'm not an insurance company so I can't. But I honestly see no difference. Call me crazy.