When you're shopping for a used vehicle, one of the most important documents to check is the vehicle title. A title might seem like just a formality, but it’s actually the official proof of ownership—and key to understanding the vehicle’s history.

 

At CarShop, we make used vehicle buying simple by only selling those with clean titles. That means you get the full story up front, with no hidden history, and no second-guessing. Let’s take a closer look at what a clean title means, and how it differs from a salvage title or branded title.

 

A clean title means the vehicle has never been declared a total loss by an insurance company and has no serious damage history. That means no major accidents, no flood damage, and no fire damage. A clean title shows the vehicle has had a relatively normal life and is considered structurally sound and safe to drive.

 

At CarShop, every vehicle on our lot comes with a clean title. If it doesn’t meet that standard, it doesn’t make the cut.

A salvage title is issued when a vehicle has suffered major damage—usually from a collision, flood, fire, or other disaster—and the insurance company deems it a total loss. These vehicles might be repaired and put back on the road, but they often come with serious risks, like hidden structural issues, compromised safety systems, or electrical problems.

 

In most states, a salvage title vehicle must pass a re-inspection before it can legally be driven again.

A branded title is a permanent mark on a vehicle’s history, assigned by a state’s motor vehicle agency. It covers a wide range of designations that tell you the vehicle has had significant problems in the past. Common branded titles include:

• Rebuilt Title – The vehicle previously held a salvage title, but is now repaired and road-legal.
• Flood Damage Title – The vehicle has been exposed to significant water damage.
• Lemon Title – The vehicle has repeated manufacturer defects that couldn’t be fixed.
• Odometer Rollback Title – The vehicle’s mileage has been tampered with.
• Hail Damage, Fire Damage, or Theft Recovery Titles – Indicators of past issues the vehicle has faced–the damage may affect reliability or safety.

 

If a vehicle’s history includes serious problems, a branded title would reflect that. These vehicles typically have lower resale value and can be harder to finance, insure, or simply care for.

Besides clean, salvage, and branded titles, you may come across other title types, including:

• Bonded Title – Issued when ownership can’t be proven through standard documents.
• Junk Title – The vehicle is not safe or economical to repair.
• Certificate of Destruction – The vehicle must be dismantled and cannot legally be driven.

These types often come with complications that most vehicle buyers prefer to avoid.

At CarShop, we make it easy to shop as we only sell vehicles with clean titles—no exceptions. Every vehicle undergoes a rigorous inspection and full history check before it reaches our lot. Plus, for your added peace of mind, you even get a free CARFAX report with any of our vehicles. 

 

No stress. No shady past. Just great vehicles you can trust.