What does “salvage report” mean?

When cost to repair a vehicle exceeds the value 0f the vehicle, insurance companies write the vehicle off and get the car titled as salvage. That doesn't mean that the car is worthless. some can be repaired, or parting the vehicle out can be profitable, but converting a salvage title to a clean one is difficult. Research the details online.

It means don’t buy it unless you want a money pit.

Plus, once the vehicle is repaired, passes an inspection, a "rebuilt" or "reconstructed" title is issued so the vehicle can be registered and driven on the road again. The title is branded from that point on, greatly reducing the vehicle's resale value in the future. If the vehicle is an older model the damage could have been minor, such as hail damage or possibly a fender bender. But if it's a newer model you don't want it. The damage will have been extensive and most likely the vehicle will be problematic for the rest of its life. Hope that helps! Jim

I know people who buy cars with salvage titles from places like CoPart and title them in states like Nevada, with pretty liberal laws regarding salvage repair. Those cars get clean titles and those people then register the cars in California, resulting in a clean California title. It's scummy, I know, but they get away with it, for now at least. And this has been going on for years.