Maryland Salvage Laws Salvage laws are important because they ensure that rights of the consumers are protected when purchasing a salvage vehicle. They also ensure that an industry that could easily fall victim to scam artists is well regulated. Maryland recognizes the importance of salvage laws and has developed the best methods of protection for their consumers. What is a salvage title? A salvage title in Maryland and most other states is one that has been issued to the owner of a vehicle that has sustained too much damage for its insurance company to consider it as feasible to fix and still turn a profit. The salvage titles are issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) in Maryland after a detailed report has surfaced from the insurance company as well as an inspection of the vehicle by this department. The salvage title means that the vehicle it has been issued to is not legally allowed to drive on the roads unless it has been repaired and a new title that does not bare the name salvage has been issued. Regulations associated with having a salvage business 1. Salvage businesses are to be registered and licensed with the state. The licensing and regulation of a business and by enlarge its owner ensures that both businesses and owners are certified. 2. These certified dealers have an obligation to sell cars in fairly good condition. Maryland makes certain that this is so by performing inspection checks on cars that are presented for change of title from salvage to a one-time salvage title. Tips.
for consumer protection It is the responsibility of the consumer to ensure that a potential purchase is legitimate. There are no regulations stating that a dealer has to divulge all the information about the vehicles being sold, the fact that these vehicles have been cleared from a salvage title should be information enough. This is not necessarily a good thing for the consumer as they do not always know what they are getting. 1. Any one purchasing a vehicle should obtain the vehicle identification number from the bottom of the windshield of the vehicle and run a background check. This will make certain that the consumer knows exactly what sort of damage was sustained by the vehicle. 2. Stay away from hurricane and flood damaged vehicles as they are not worth the cheap deals they are advertised as. Flood damaged vehicles are prone to malfunctioning in short periods because of rotting engines and other complications.