Buyer FAQ
Do I have to do any special paperwork if I am buying a vehicle with a Rebuilt Salvage title?
There is no special paperwork required when buying a vehicle with a Rebuilt Salvage title from Superior Used Auto Sales. The inspection and the processing are taken care of by our dealership. Once the customer receives the title, they can sell it just like any other vehicle.
Can I get insurance for a Rebuilt Salvage vehicle?
Yes. Insurance is available on rebuilt salvage title vehicles. If the vehicle is totaled, most insurance companies pay the customers approximately 80% of the market value.
Can I register a rebuilt salvage vehicle in another state?
Rebuilt salvage vehicles are no different than any other car. The initial 15-day registration we issue is free of charge as long as you have insurance.
Why should I buy my car from Superior Used Auto Sales?
Our customers come to us because they can find a wide selection of quality rebuilt and consignment vehicles at prices that are up to 50% less than what they would pay at a traditional dealership. Our customers save thousands of dollars and enjoy the ease and convenience of shopping for a vehicle in a stress-free environment.
Does Superior Used Auto Sales provide financing?
We do not offer any financing in-house, however, you can contact us and we will guide you to financial institutions that offer financing for Rebuilt Salvage Vehicles.
Can I have a mechanic check out the quality of the car?
Absolutely! All cars listed at Superior Used Auto Sales pass a Michigan Salvage Inspection, but we also encourage our buyers to have the vehicle inspected by their own mechanic.
Can I purchase an extended service contract/warranty?
Yes. While all of our vehicles come with a 6 Month/7,500 Mile Powertrain Warranty, Superior Used Auto Sales also offers several different warranty packages thorough trusted warranty/service contract providers. We provide competitive rates on coverage ranging from basic plans all the way up to comprehensive packages. Service contracts are a great way to protect your vehicle against future repair costs.
Are there additional transaction fees when buying a vehicle?
Buyers at Superior Used Auto Sales will pay a documentation fee of $125, Secretary of State license and registration fees (in MI the plate fee is calculated by the state depending on your vehicle’s weight for new plates or $8.00 if transferring plates), and taxes (in MI 6% Sales tax) that are passed directly through to the relevant authorities. Any other transaction fees earned by Superior Used Auto Sales are paid solely by the seller.
How is Superior Used Auto Sales different from a traditional dealership?
All of our vehicles are rebuilt in our own in-house, state of the art, repair facility.
Why is shopping at Superior Used Auto Sales better than going straight to a private seller?
Selection – Superior Used Auto Sales offers a wide variety of rebuilt salvage vehicles to choose from in one convenient location.
Convenience – We offer the convenience of a traditional dealership – including trade-ins and extended service contracts – without the traditional dealership prices. We also provide you with photographs of the original damage to the vehicle.
What do I need to bring with me when purchasing a car?
At traditional dealerships, buying a car can be a hassle, but when you purchase from Superior Used Auto Sales, we aim to have you in and out within 30 minutes. Please bring the following items with you:
Driver’s License – Anyone who will appear on the title and registration will need to bring a driver’s license and sign the paperwork.
Registration and Plates – This applies only when transferring plates. You need to present us with a valid registration and the plates of your previous vehicle to complete the plate transfer.
Proof of Insurance – Call your insurance company and have them add the vehicle you are purchasing to your insurance plan. They will typically need the VIN, and they can subsequently fax proof of coverage to us at 313-355-7585
Payment – We accept cash, cashier’s checks, or loan checks from your bank.
What is a Rebuilt Salvage Title?
When a vehicle is damaged in a flood, accident, or theft, the insurance company makes a determination whether or not to repair it. Many times, the insurance company determines that it is less expensive to not repair the car, so they total it. When these vehicles are purchased from the insurance company by salvage yards or rebuilders, they receive a salvaged title. Once a vehicle with a salvage title has been repaired or rebuilt, it can be titled and registered for road use again. The vehicle must first pass an inspection by a specially-trained law enforcement officer. After the inspection, a new title is issued with the legend, “REBUILT SALVAGE.” This legend alerts future owners that the vehicle was once a salvage title. A license plate can be issued when the "rebuilt" title application is processed. Under Michigan law, no roadworthiness test is necessary other than for salvage title inspections. This means that only our cars are inspected. Clean title cars, whether sold on E-Bay or otherwise, have not been inspected.
I thought salvage title cars are “totaled”?
“Totaled” means an economic total loss. This doesn’t equate to the amount of damage the vehicle suffered. Regardless of mileage, the older a car is, the more likely it will be written off by the insurance company. The lower the value of the vehicle, the lighter the damage required for an insurance company to write it off rather than repair it. The salvage industry is well established in this country. At Superior Used Auto Sales we have access to thousands of cars every week through salvage auctions. The majority of these auction vehicles are not worth repairing, but we do frequently come across cars that have only minor damage or none at all. These are the vehicles that we are interested in. We don’t buy anything with severe damage because it isn’t economical to repair them.
How common are Rebuilt Salvage Vehicles?
The fact is that nearly all retail dealers have body shops on site. The vast majority of used cars get bodywork but the difference is that we disclose all of our repairs. Most dealers do not. This is because we believe that there is nothing wrong with buying a car that has had body work done, but you should be able to buy it for less.