Why Title Type Matters
Title type is one of the most important factors in vehicle valuation. A salvage title can reduce a vehicle's retail value by 30-50% compared to a clean title.
Clean Title
A clean title means the vehicle has never been declared a total loss by an insurance company. This is the most desirable title type and commands the highest retail prices.
Salvage Title
A salvage title is issued when an insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss. This typically happens when repair costs exceed a percentage (usually 75%) of the vehicle's value. Salvage vehicles cannot legally be driven on public roads until they are repaired and re-inspected.
Rebuilt Title
A rebuilt title (sometimes called "reconstructed") is issued after a salvage vehicle has been repaired and passed a state inspection. While drivable and insurable, rebuilt title vehicles typically sell for 20-40% less than clean title equivalents.
Flood Title
Flood-damaged vehicles receive a flood title (or "water damage" brand). These are high-risk purchases due to long-term electrical and corrosion issues that may not be immediately apparent.
Lemon Title
Vehicles that were bought back by the manufacturer under state lemon laws receive a lemon title brand. These may have had persistent defects that couldn't be resolved.
How LaneDock Handles Title Types
LaneDock automatically flags non-clean titles as risk factors in deal scoring. Salvage and flood titles receive the highest risk weight, followed by rebuilt and lemon titles. Always factor title type into your bidding strategy.