To get a salvage vehicle rebranded with a rebuilt title in Washington State, the car will need to be inspected by the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle must be five years old or newer, or between 6 and 20 years old with a pre-accident value of more than $7,880. If you plan on selling the vehicle, it must be inspected by the Washington State Patrol, as well.
For the most part, when a car is totaled, it has reached the end of its life. The insurance company will write it off as a total loss, and then the vehicle will be stripped of any salvageable parts and crushed into a cube. But some people will want to repair the car so they can either drive it or sell it. If you plan to do either in Washington, you must get a rebuilt title before you can legally take the vehicle on the road.
Car insurance comparison and trusted broker app Jerry has put together this handy article with everything you need to know about getting a rebuilt title in the Evergreen State. Stick around to find out how you can lower your Washington insurance cost.
What is a rebuilt title?
A rebuilt title certifies that a vehicle once deemed a total loss has been repaired, meets Washington State’s safety and legal standards, and is now in drivable condition.
To be branded a rebuilt title car, a vehicle must first have a salvage title certificate. With a salvage title, a car is not driveable. Once you make the necessary repairs (or get a qualified and licensed mechanic to do those repairs for you), you can replace the salvage title with a rebuilt title.
If you plan on selling the vehicle in Washington State, the rebuilt vehicle must pass an inspection before a rebuilt title can be issued. If you plan on keeping the car, an inspection is not necessary, but you’ll still have to notify Washington State’s Department of Licensing.
Does my car need a rebuilt title?
If your car was totaled in an accident and you want to rebuild it to either drive it again or sell it, you will need to get a rebuilt title. Selling a vehicle with a salvage title can be difficult, and most experts recommend against buying a salvage vehicle.
Selling a car with a rebuilt title is usually easier. Keep in mind that a vehicle with a rebuilt title will not have its history erased, so the buyer will know that it once had a salvage title attached to it. Still, a vehicle with a rebuilt title has been deemed safe and in drivable condition.
How to get a rebuilt title in Washington
First, you’ll need to apply for a salvage title if you don’t already have one. You’ll also need to make any necessary repairs. If you have experience working on cars, you may be able to repair the vehicle yourself, but totaled vehicles typically require extensive work, so it’s probably best to have a mechanic oversee the work.
Apply for the rebuilt title
Once your salvage car, SUV, or pickup has been repaired, you can begin the process of getting the vehicle branded a rebuilt title. Here’s what you will need to do:
- Have the vehicle towed to a Washington State Patrol office. Do not drive the car there—it is illegal to do so.
- Schedule an appointment for an inspection if you plan on selling the vehicle.
- Pay any fees and licensing costs.
Essential documents for a rebuilt Washington title
At the inspection appointment, you’ll need to bring the following:
- A Washington State Patrol Inspection Request, completed by a licensing agent
- Valid ID
- Original and salvage titles
- Any receipts for repairs performed on the vehicle
How long does a rebuilt title take in Washington?
From start to finish, the process of getting a rebuilt title in Washington State will take between 4 to 8 weeks. The exact length of time depends on how long it takes to make the necessary repairs to the vehicle.
Learn more: Washington State car insurance laws
Finding cheap car insurance in Washington
As in most U.S. states, you’ll need car insurance before hitting the road in Washington State, whether you’re driving a new car or one that’s been rebuilt and deemed safe to drive. With the broker and comparison shopping app Jerry, this has never been easier.
Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then this car insurance super app gets to work comparing quotes from more than 50 of the country’s best insurers. Once you choose the one that’s right for you, Jerry’s trusted broker app signs you up to your new policy and helps you cancel your old one. Best of all, Jerry automatically searches for better rates on your behalf before every renewal period!
FAQ
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Is a rebuilt title bad in Washington State?
Jason Tushinski is an insurance writer with a background in journalism and over seven years of experience in freelance writing. Jason specializes in insurance and combines a wealth of skills obtained throughout the publishing industry to create useful, easy-to-understand content for car owners. Jason has written over 1,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from insurance company offerings to DMV processes to car model specifications. Before joining Jerry, Jason worked as freelance video content creator, news writer and editor for the Sun News Network, and researcher for CBC. His writing is published in Maclean’s and This Magazine.
Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who previously lead up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.
