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How to Get a Rebuilt Title in Ohio

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The state of
Ohio
requires totaled car owners seeking a rebuilt title to apply for a $4 salvage vehicle title, perform all necessary repairs, pass a $50 safety inspection at a state-designated facility, and submit a new title application at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
  • A rebuilt title is required to legally drive a car that’s previously been declared a total loss in Ohio.
  • Totaled car owners must apply for a salvage title within 30 days of the car being deemed a total loss by the insurance company.
  • Be prepared to bring receipts for all major component parts costing more than $100 used in the rebuilding process to your salvage vehicle safety inspection.
  • Check your local county’s titling fees to determine just how much your rebuilt Ohio title will cost.

Ohio rebuilt title: The basics

A
rebuilt title
signifies that a car that was once declared a total loss by an insurance company has been restored (rebuilt) to roadworthy condition. 
Before a rebuilt title can be issued, the car first needs to have had a salvage title. A salvage title designation certifies the car has been totaled and is no longer safe or legal to drive. 
Here’s what to expect with an Ohio salvage title
  • The Ohio salvage title
    can be replaced
    once the salvage vehicle has been properly repaired.
  • You need a rebuilt title to legally drive a car that’s previously been totaled on public roadways in Ohio.
  • Driving a salvage car without a rebuilt title is punishable by fines of up to $2,000 and up to a year in jail in Ohio.
  • You could sell a car with a salvage title if you find the right buyer, but most experts advise motorists to
    avoid buying used cars with salvage titles
    .
Key Takeaway A rebuilt title doesn’t expunge the rebuilt title car’s vehicle history, but it does prove that the car has been fully repaired and designated as safe by a licensed inspector. Furthermore, it’s the only way to safely and legally drive a car that formerly had a salvage title. 

Step 1: Apply for a salvage title at the Ohio BMV

You must apply for a salvage title at your
local Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles title office
within 30 days of the insurance provider declaring your vehicle totaled. Be prepared to bring the following required documents:

Step 2: Make the necessary repairs to your vehicle

You can handle your salvage title vehicle’s
car repairs
yourself or hire a professional mechanic. Regardless, you’ll need to take the following steps during the rebuilding process:
  • Keep receipts for all major parts that cost over $100. 
  • Leave all registration, serial, or other identification numbers on the parts.   

Step 3: Get your vehicle inspected 

Your rebuilt salvage vehicle will need to
pass an inspection
at one of Ohio’s nine designated deputy registrar salvage inspection locations. Schedule your inspection by using the
Vehicle Inspection Gateway
.
You’ll need to pay a $50 inspection fee at your
local deputy registrar
. Then, bring the following documents to your salvage inspection appointment:
  • Your salvage inspection receipt number
  • The car’s salvage title
  • Bills of sale
    or receipts for major component parts used to reconstruct the vehicle.
  • Invoices for the repair services performed on your vehicle.
The Ohio State Highway patrol will evaluate the following at your inspection:
  • Assess the safety of the rebuilt vehicle
  • Establish proof of ownership
  • Check the vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Confirm that no parts used in the rebuild were stolen
Key Takeaway Make sure to keep detailed records and receipts of repairs made on your vehicle as they are needed during the vehicle inspection. 

Step 4: Apply for your rebuilt Ohio title at the BMV

Once you’ve passed your salvage inspection, you can finalize your rebuilt salvage title by scheduling another appointment at your
local BMV office
. Bring the following documents:
Once the paperwork is approved, the BMV will issue your new title with a “rebuilt salvage” stamp, deeming your car legal to drive again.
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FAQs

While cars with rebuilt titles are legal and safe to drive, they can often hide more mechanical frailties than other vehicles. As such rebuilt title cars typically carry less market value than comparable models with clean titles.
Outside of the repairs to your vehicle, Ohio charges the following fees to get a rebuilt salvage title car:
  • $4 salvage title fee
  • $50 processing fee for the safety inspection
  • Local county titling fees for the rebuilt title
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By John Pickhaver
Expert Insurance Writer
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