Salvage vs Clean Title: What US Title Types Mean When You Export a Car
A US title tells you far more than who owns the car. For an importer it decides whether the car can leave the country — and whether it can be registered at home.
Every US vehicle has a title — a state document that proves ownership and records the car's status. Auction listings show the title type next to the damage, and for an export buyer it is one of the most important lines on the page.
The main title types
Clean title
The car has never been declared a total loss by an insurer. Clean-title cars at Copart are often rental or fleet returns, repossessions or cars with minor damage that was not worth an insurance claim.
Salvage title
An insurer paid out the car as a total loss — repair cost exceeded a threshold of its value. That does not always mean heavy damage: hail, theft recovery or flood can all lead to a salvage title. Salvage cars can be exported and, in most destination countries, repaired and registered.
Rebuilt / reconstructed title
A former salvage car that was repaired and passed a state inspection. It can be driven in the USA, but the history stays with the VIN.
Certificate of destruction / non-repairable
The vehicle may only be used for parts. Export as a road vehicle is usually impossible, and registration abroad is not allowed. Avoid these unless you are buying parts.
Other codes
States use dozens of codes — "certificate of title", "bill of sale only", "lien", "flood". Some mean paperwork delays; some mean the car cannot be exported at all. We check the exact code for every lot before bidding.
Why it matters for your country
- Some countries restrict or add inspections for cars with a salvage history.
- Flood history can affect insurance and resale value everywhere.
- A missing or delayed title can hold a car at the port for weeks.
How to check a car before you bid
- Read the title line on the lot page — our inventory shows it for every lot.
- Run a VIN history report to see previous titles and total-loss records.
- Ask us to confirm exportability and registration rules for your country.
Our rule of thumb
For daily drivers, a clean title or a salvage title with light, well-documented damage is the sweet spot. For collectors, clean-title cars with full history are worth the premium. Anything marked non-repairable is for parts only. If you are unsure, send us the lot number — we reply with a clear yes or no.