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US salvage title types: what each brand means, and what it means for import
Sources checked 20 October 2026.
Cars from US salvage auctions are sold with a title brand: a label a US state puts on the ownership document, such as salvage, rebuilt, flood or junk. This page explains what each brand means in the US, using federal and state sources, and what it means if you want to import the car into the UAE or Lebanon (and briefly Georgia). It isn't legal advice. US states define these brands differently, and the destination countries regulate damage, not US title wording.
Why the same car can have different titles
- NMVTIS, the US national title database, says each state keeps its own laws, standards and wording. One state may brand a car "salvage" when another doesn't, and some states have no "flood" brand at all (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026).
- Once a state reports a brand, NMVTIS keeps it, so moving a car to another state shouldn't wash it off (same source).
- NMVTIS also warns that a search can wrongly show "no junk or salvage history" while some sources aren't reporting (same source). A clean report isn't proof of no damage.
US title brands and what they mean for import
US meaning from NMVTIS and named state sources. Destination columns use only rules already sourced in our market pages. "no official mapping found" means no official text links that US brand to the destination's rule. All estimate — confirm locally.
US title brands and what they mean for import.
| US title brand | What the US source says | UAE (local plates) | Lebanon | Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean (no brand) | No brand on the title. The NMVTIS operator's code list calls it "Clear: no brand exists" (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026). NMVTIS warns a check can miss brands, and an insurer's total loss isn't branded in every state (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found. Every used import still needs MOIAT's eligibility statement and a technical inspection (see the plates guide) | no official mapping found. The press-reported damage ban applies to the car's actual damage, whatever the title says | No official title-brand rule found |
| Salvage | Damaged so that repair plus salvage value would exceed its value before the damage; includes insurer total losses (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026). The threshold is set by each state: Texas uses repair cost above the car's market value before the damage (Tex. Transp. Code §501.091, checked 20 Oct 2026 · estimate — confirm locally) | no official mapping found: MOIAT bans by damage type, not by US title. A salvage car that isn't one of the banned types can still be checked for plates | no official mapping found: depends on the damage. Structural/chassis, flood and fire damage are press-reported as banned | No official title-brand rule found |
| Rebuilt / reconstructed (revived salvage) | Rebuilt: a former salvage car that passed a state's anti-theft and safety inspection, "also known as prior salvage". Reconstructed: permanently altered by removing, adding or substituting major components (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026). California calls it "revived salvage" (CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026) | MOIAT's page doesn't name rebuilt cars. Press reports list rebuilt/rehabilitated cars among the banned types (Gulf News, 2018; Emarat Al Youm, 2023). Ask MOIAT before you bid | no official mapping found. The press-reported ban covers welded or joined bodies | No official title-brand rule found |
| Flood / water damage | "Flood" is an NMVTIS brand example, but some states have no flood brand (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026). California folds flood damage into its "Salvaged" brand (CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026) | Banned for local plates: MOIAT names flooded vehicles (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026). Re-export is excluded from the check | Press-reported ban (flood damage, Traffic Law Art. 348 as quoted in press) | No official title-brand rule found |
| Fire damage | "Vehicle damaged by fire" (AAMVA; TxDMV, checked 20 Oct 2026) | Banned for local plates: MOIAT names burnt-out vehicles (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026). Re-export is excluded | Press-reported ban (fire damage, Art. 348 as quoted in press) | No official title-brand rule found |
| Junk / certificate of destruction | Junk: can't operate on public roads and has no value except as parts or scrap (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026). The operator's code list adds: "shall never be titled or registered" (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026). Florida issues a certificate of destruction when repair is 90% or more of retail on a late-model car worth at least $7,500 (Fla. Stat. §319.30, checked 20 Oct 2026 · estimate — confirm locally) | no official mapping found to MOIAT's types. MOIAT's named bans include scrapped and damaged-beyond-repair vehicles (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found. The press-reported ban covers cars unfit for the road, structural damage and half-cuts | No official title-brand rule found |
| Non-repairable | Texas: damaged, wrecked or burned so that its only value is parts or scrap (Tex. Transp. Code §501.091, checked 20 Oct 2026). California: once a non-repairable certificate is issued, the car can't be titled or re-registered (CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found to MOIAT's types. Closest named type: damaged beyond repair (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found. See the press-reported ban above | No official title-brand rule found |
| Parts only / dismantled | "Dismantled: can only be sold as parts and cannot be legally driven". The separate "Parts Only" code is retired in favour of Dismantled (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found. MOIAT names disassembled vehicles (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found. Half-cuts are in the press-reported ban | No official title-brand rule found |
| Lemon / manufacturer buyback | Bought back by the manufacturer under lemon laws (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026). California brands it "Lemon Law Buyback" (CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026) | no official mapping found. MOIAT bans cars with major manufacturing defects (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026), but doesn't say whether a US buyback counts | no official mapping found | No official title-brand rule found |
What a salvage title means
Salvage is the brand most cars from US salvage auctions carry. NMVTIS defines a salvage car as one damaged by collision, fire, flood, accident or another event so badly that repair plus its salvage value would cost more than it was worth before. Insurer total losses count too (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026). States set the line differently:
- Texas: repair cost above the car's market value before the damage. Hail damage and damage to the paint alone don't count (Tex. Transp. Code §501.091, checked 20 Oct 2026 · estimate — confirm locally).
- Florida: a late-model car worth at least $7,500 gets a certificate of destruction if repair is 90% or more of its retail value (Fla. Stat. §319.30, checked 20 Oct 2026 · estimate — confirm locally).
- California: the "Salvaged" brand also covers flood and vandalism damage (CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026).
A salvage car can be put back on US roads only after it's rebuilt and inspected. Texas and California both say so (TxDMV; CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026).
Rebuilt, junk, non-repairable and parts only
- Rebuilt (also "reconstructed" or "revived salvage"): a former salvage car that passed a state's anti-theft and safety inspection (AAMVA, the NMVTIS operator, checked 20 Oct 2026). It's still a former salvage car.
- Junk / certificate of destruction / non-repairable: worth only parts or scrap. The operator's code list says such a car "shall never be titled or registered" (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026). California says a non-repairable car can't be titled or re-registered (CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026).
- Parts only / dismantled: can only be sold as parts and can't be legally driven (AAMVA, checked 20 Oct 2026).
- Lemon / manufacturer buyback: the manufacturer bought the car back under lemon laws (AAMVA; CA DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026). It's about repeated defects, not crash damage.
UAE: MOIAT bans by damage type
MOIAT says the import, licensing and insuring of 7 types of vehicles is prohibited. Its page names burnt-out, scrapped, flooded and disassembled cars, cars damaged beyond repair and cars with major manufacturing defects. Light vehicles imported for re-export are excluded (MOIAT, checked 20 Oct 2026 · estimate — confirm locally). Press reports add rebuilt cars to the list (Gulf News, 2018; Emarat Al Youm, 2023). MOIAT doesn't refer to US title brands, so a "salvage" title alone doesn't decide it: the car's damage does. Every used import still needs MOIAT's eligibility statement and a technical inspection. See Can a US salvage car get UAE plates? and UAE import rules.
Lebanon: a damage ban reported in the press
Lebanese press quotes Traffic Law Art. 348 as banning the import of cars unfit for the road. It names structural impact damage, welding or joining, fire, flood, corrosion that affects integrity, and front or rear half-cuts (grandlb.com, 29 Jul 2025, checked 20 Oct 2026). We haven't opened the law on an official site, and the industry body AIA says enforcement is weak (AIA). There's no official mapping from US title brands, so judge the damage, not the title. See Lebanon import rules and, after customs, Registering an imported car in Lebanon.
Georgia: no official title-brand rule found
We found no salvage or title-brand condition in the Service Agency's registration requirements (Service Agency, checked 20 Oct 2026). Registration still has its own checks. See Registering an imported car in Georgia and Georgia import rules.
Put it into the free calculator
The live max bid calculator is a free USD worksheet with no account: max bid = resale − repair − buyer fee − transport − title and registration − target profit. It doesn't read title brands or check eligibility. Decide first whether the car can get plates where you'll sell it, then run the numbers. A branded title usually means a lower resale price, so use a realistic resale figure.
Want this inside the browser? The FlipRadar Chrome extension version with Market Profiles adds landed cost at your port, a walk-away line, and flags for flood, fire and beyond-repair lots when you choose UAE local plates, and for structural, flood and fire damage for Lebanon. It's in private beta and not in the Chrome Web Store. The private beta is free. To try it, email hello@theflipradar.com and ask for the private-beta extension.
FlipRadar is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any auction company, NMVTIS, any US state DMV, MOIAT or any Lebanese or Georgian authority.
Related guides: UAE plates for US salvage cars · UAE · Lebanon · Georgia · all guides.
FAQ
What does a salvage title mean on a US car?
A salvage brand means the car was damaged, stolen or otherwise written off to the point that repairing it would cost more than it was worth, or an insurer took it as a total loss (NMVTIS glossary, checked 20 Oct 2026). Each state sets its own threshold and wording, so the same damage can be branded in one state and not in another (NMVTIS, checked 20 Oct 2026).
What is the difference between salvage, rebuilt and non-repairable?
Salvage means the car was written off but may be repaired. Rebuilt means a former salvage car passed a state's anti-theft and safety inspection (AAMVA, the NMVTIS operator, checked 20 Oct 2026). Non-repairable or junk means its only value is parts or scrap, and it isn't meant to be titled for the road again (Texas Transportation Code §501.091; California DMV, checked 20 Oct 2026).
Can a salvage car from the US get plates in the UAE?
MOIAT bans the import, licensing and insuring of burnt-out, scrapped, flooded and disassembled cars, cars damaged beyond repair and cars with major manufacturing defects. Cars imported for re-export are excluded (moiat.gov.ae, checked 20 Oct 2026). MOIAT bans by damage type, not by US title brand: we found no official mapping from US titles. Confirm with MOIAT before you bid.
Can I import a salvage car into Lebanon?
Lebanese press quotes Traffic Law Art. 348 as banning cars unfit for the road, including structural impact damage, welding or joining, fire, flood, corrosion that affects integrity, and half-cuts (grandlb.com, checked 20 Oct 2026). We didn't open the law on an official site, and an industry body says enforcement is weak. There is no official mapping from US title brands. Confirm with your clearing agent.
Does Georgia have rules on salvage titles?
We found no salvage or title-brand rule in the Service Agency's registration requirements (sa.gov.ge, checked 20 Oct 2026). Registration still has its own checks. See the Georgia registration guide.
Is a clean title a guarantee that the car wasn't damaged?
No. NMVTIS says a search can return a false "no junk or salvage history" while some sources aren't reporting, and that states don't all brand the same events (vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov, checked 20 Oct 2026). Check the car itself.
Sources
- NMVTIS glossary: https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/nmvtis_glossary (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- NMVTIS, For Consumers: https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/nmvtis_consumers (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- AAMVA brand code values (NMVTIS operator): https://www.aamva.org/d20trafficrecordssystemsdatadictionaryjson/14426.htm (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Texas DMV, Salvage Vehicles: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/title-check-look-before-you-buy/salvage-brands (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Texas Transportation Code §501.091 (Justia): https://law.justia.com/codes/texas/transportation-code/title-7/subtitle-a/chapter-501/subchapter-e/section-501-091/ (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- California DMV, Branded Titles: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/titles/branded-titles/ (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- California DMV, Total Loss Salvage & Non-Repairable: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/total-loss-salvage-non-repairable-vehicles/ (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- California DMV, Revived Junk or Salvage: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/junk-revived-salvage-vehicles/ (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Florida Statutes §319.30: https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399%2F0319%2FSections%2F0319.30.html (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- MOIAT, Imported Used Vehicle Technical Requirements: https://moiat.gov.ae/en/digital-participation/consultations/imported-used-vehicle-technical-requirements (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Gulf News, 2018: https://gulfnews.com/business/ban-on-import-of-used-cars-with-major-faults-from-may-1-1.1982069 (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Emarat Al Youm, 2023: https://www.emaratalyoum.com/business/local/2023-04-10-1.1737001 (checked 19 Oct 2026)
- grandlb.com, 29 Jul 2025: https://www.grandlb.com/society/126901/ (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Lebeconomy: https://lebeconomy.com/452169/ (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- AIA via Akhbar Al Yawm: https://en.akhbaralyawm.com/news/189217/AIA:-Calls-to-enforce-law-against-unroadworthy-vehicle-imports (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- Georgia Service Agency, registration: https://sa.gov.ge/p/vehicle/registration (checked 20 Oct 2026)