Salvage/total loss carfax, seller has clean title?

[mikeb23ft]

Looking at an E30 that has a "clean title" from the seller but the Carfax states that it had a salvage title in 2002 and and was a total loss in 2010.

What gives? If the car is otherwise clean and the seller doesn't know (definitely a possibility) how far away should I stay from this car? How much of a hit does the value take with that carfax, and is the car still insurable/daily driveable?

[Threehz]

Think if you ever want to resell it? 98% of people turn their heads on salvage titles.

You also have to worry about unseen frame damage, better bring your gaydar and make sure that car is straight.

I would consider the cars condition, think about how much money you can get from parting the most easy to sell parts, then offer half of that for it.

Give us some pictures.

[jlevie]

The CarFax data could be wrong...

[mikeb23ft]

I like the idea of making an offer based on the salvage value of the parts. In the case of this particular car, the value of those parts is actually pretty high, so that's something to consider. The asking price is very reasonable compared with what people want for similar vehicles on here.

[mikeb23ft]

I guess Carfax could be wrong, I've seen carfax miss stuff but I've never sen it report something that didn't happen.

[2ndName]

Even if Carfax is wrong, good luck trying to resell it. People will see it and will be turned away automatically. Unless the car is in 100% pristine condition and you'll be driving it forever, walk away.

[LSM3]

Its easy to "clean" a title. Totalled in CA, register in another state as a rebuild then re-register it in CA. Happens all the time.

[noid]

Check to see if all vin numbers are present on all panels.

[VadGTI]

1. Could be a CarFax error.

2. Could be a case of title washing. Tried to buy a 993 Carrera several years ago with a clean CA title (and a clean CarFax) and it wasn't until the credit union ran the VIN during financing that the prior FL salvage title showed up.

3. Does it really matter with an E30? These cars have such low book value that a love tap on the fender is enough to total them (somewhat true in 2002 and definitely true in 2010).

Inspect it, knock some money off for the title issues and enjoy. Check with your insurance. Most will have no issue with even full-coverage on a salvaged car (although your end payout will be lower than a comparable clean-title car) but are you going to get full coverage for an E30? Likely not, and it won't matter with liability.

Sent from a rotary-dial phone using Edna the Small Town Operator

[mikeb23ft]

Ah well, the car wound up being sold anyway so the point is moot. It probably was a great deal for someone.

[Buzztt]

Or the seller was full of shit and the buyer never bothered to check carfax