A salvage title indicates a vehicle was damaged and declared a total loss but can potentially be repaired and returned to the road. A junk certificate means the vehicle is permanently retired and can never be registered or driven again. It can only be dismantled for parts or crushed for scrap metal.
Salvage title characteristics:
- Vehicle was totaled by insurance (damage exceeded value threshold)
- Can be repaired and inspected for road use
- Requires rebuilt title after repairs and inspection
- Has resale value to rebuilders and project buyers
- Retains VIN and vehicle identity
Junk certificate characteristics:
- Vehicle is permanently retired from road use
- Cannot be registered, titled, or driven legally
- VIN is typically retired or flagged
- Only value is parts and scrap metal
- Often issued for severely damaged or very old vehicles
How this affects selling your car:
- Salvage title cars have higher value (repair potential)
- Junk certificate cars sell for parts and scrap only
- Some buyers specialize in salvage vehicles for rebuilding
- Junk certificates streamline the scrapping process
When you sell to a junk car buyer, they typically obtain a junk certificate to legally process and scrap the vehicle. The car’s VIN is retired, preventing it from being illegally rebuilt and sold with a clean title.
If your car has a salvage title and is repairable, you might get more selling to a rebuilder than a junk car buyer. Compare offers from both. For cars that are truly junk, the certificate type matters less since either way it’s heading for parts and scrap.
