Expert: William Forster - 7/30/2007

Question
if a used car has been certified and is being sold by a car dealership is there any chance that the vehicle may be a salvage rebuild?  my other question is if a car is a salvage rebuild will the manufacturer warranty still be valid assuming it has low miles and years or will the warranty be voided?

Answer
At least here in Ohio, the dealership has to disclose the title is a rebuilt vehicle title. Be sure to ask the dealer if the title is rebuilt, if you are concerned, or know the dealer likes to build wrecked cars. Sometimes, the dealer will purchase a car that had a previous accident, but it has a clean title. In that case, they are not required to disclose what damage it had- UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK. The warranty on rebuilt title cars is COMPLETELY void. If the dealer offers you a warranty, it's totally an in-house warranty. It's only as good as the word, or reputation, of the dealer. The Manufacturer will also not include a rebuilt title car in any sort of recall, whatsoever. They completely wash their hands of the vehicle forever. When the vehicle is sold as scrap, the legal connection between the manufacturer and any future owners are severed. You will personally be responsible to be sure any recall work is done, and it's at your own expense. Bill