Wheel ScoutWhat the title brands mean
| Clean | No brand on record. The car has never been reported as a total loss or salvage. |
|---|---|
| Salvage | An insurer declared the car a total loss, usually after a crash, flood, fire or theft. In most states it can't be driven until it's repaired and inspected. |
| Rebuilt or reconstructed | A salvage car that was repaired and passed a state inspection. It can be driven, but it's worth far less and some insurers won't give full coverage. |
| Flood | Water damage. Electrical and rust problems can show up years later. |
| Junk or non-repairable | Only for parts or scrap. It should never be titled to drive again. |
| Lemon or buyback | The maker bought the car back under a state lemon law for a defect it couldn't fix. |
| Odometer brands | "Not actual mileage" or "exceeds mechanical limits": the miles on the dash aren't the real miles. |
Brand names and rules differ by state, and a car treated as salvage in one state isn't always branded that way. That's why the report shows the title history from every state.
Title washing
A branded car is moved to a state with looser rules and retitled, and the new title can come out clean. The brand from the first state stays in the federal record, so a title check by VIN still shows it.
Check the paper title too
- Match the VIN on the title to the dashboard and the driver door sticker.
- Match the name on the title to the seller's ID.
- Read the front for brand words like salvage, rebuilt or flood.
- Check the lienholder section. If a bank is listed, it must sign a release or the title can't be transferred.
- State tools: Texas has a Title Check from TxDMV and Florida has the Motor Vehicle Information Check.
The reports
You see the car before you pay. Pick the report you need.
Basic history report
By VIN or license plate · official NMVTIS record · shows right away
- Salvage, junk, flood and rebuilt title brands
- Title history by state, with dates
- Odometer readings and rollback flags
- Total-loss records from insurers
- Theft check
- Market value for the car
Full vehicle history report
By VIN or license plate · Not instant: emailed or texted to you within two hours
- Every owner, how they used it (personal, lease, rental or fleet) and where
- Accidents and damage reports
- Title brands: salvage, junk, rebuilt, flood, fire, hail, lemon
- Odometer readings over time, checked for rollbacks
- Service and maintenance history
- Open recalls and common owner complaints for the model
Title check questions
How do I check a car's title status?
Type its VIN or license plate above. The $5 report shows the current title, every past title by state with dates, and any brand: salvage, rebuilt, flood, junk or odometer.
What's the difference between salvage and rebuilt?
Salvage means an insurer wrote the car off. Rebuilt means a salvage car was repaired and passed a state inspection so it can be driven again. Both brands stay with the car.
Can a salvage title be cleaned?
Moving a car to another state can sometimes produce a clean-looking title. The original brand stays in the federal NMVTIS record, which is what this check reads.
Does a title check show liens?
The NMVTIS record shows title brands, title history, odometer readings, total-loss and theft records. For a lien, look at the lienholder section on the paper title and ask the seller for a release.
Does it work for every state?
It covers every state that reports to NMVTIS. The federal government says about 87 percent of US vehicles are in the system, so a clean result is strong evidence but not a guarantee.
Can I check a title by license plate?
Yes. Switch the box to License plate and pick the state; we find the VIN first.
More ways to check a car
Find the deal, then check it.
Wheel Scout alerts you the moment an underpriced car posts on Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist near you, and runs the history right in the app.
The basic history report uses NMVTIS data from an approved NMVTIS data provider. NMVTIS records come from states, insurers and salvage yards; not every event is reported to it. Vehicle specs and recalls come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Wheel Scout is not affiliated with any marketplace or government agency.