A DMV salvage title in Oregon is a legal document that vehicle owners must apply for in the event that their vehicles have sustained significant damage and were deemed inoperable. Generally, a salvage certificate of title is issued by the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT). However, prior to beginning the appropriate application procedure, motorists have to make sure that their cars can satisfy the eligibility criteria set in place.

When applying for an OR car salvage title certificate, vehicle owners will need to prepare a list of documents as part of the DOT requirements for this credential. Moreover, applicants will be required to submit a payment for the applicable fees. Furthermore, motorists need to identify whether their cars have to perform a salvage vehicle inspection or not. To learn more information about when and how to get a salvage title in Oregon, read the following sections.

What is an Oregon salvage title?

An Oregon salvage title is a certificate of ownership that motorists need to obtain when their vehicles have sustained extensive damages. For instance, a DOT salvage title is required for cars that are declared a total loss by an auto insurance company. Moreover, this type of title will also be needed for vehicles that have sustained damages that have not been covered by an insurer and that cost at least 80 percent of the car’s market value before damages.

Furthermore, a salvage certificate may be also issued for wrecked, dismantled, disassembled or substantially altered vehicles. In any case, the salvage classification is given to cars whose owners plan to repair or rebuild them, to use their frame in order to repair another vehicle, or to transfer their ownership to another person or entity.

Oregon Salvage Title Eligibility Requirements

Owners of salvage title cars in Oregon need to satisfy certain eligibility requirements in order to be able to submit an application form. Namely, a salvage certificate of title is issued only for motor vehicles that meet the requirements and regulations set by the OR Department of Transportation.

As an example, vehicle owners may obtain a DMV salvage title for wrecked, dismantled, disassembled or substantially altered vehicles whose repair cost is 80 percent or more of the car’s predetermined retail market value. Furthermore, motorists may apply for a salvage car title when their vehicles have been declared a total loss, or when a buyer wants to rebuild or repair the vehicle.

How to Get a Salvage Title in Oregon

The owners of significantly damaged vehicles must apply for a salvage title in Oregon regardless of the circumstances that led to their cars becoming salvaged ones. When applying for an OR DOT salvage title, vehicle owners will have to fill out a specific application form and submit all of the mandated documents. For example, car owners may have to provide the following documentation:

  • Primary ownership document:
  • Release of interest from prior owners
  • Completed and signed “Application for Salvage Title” form
  • Odometer disclosure, if required
  • Payment for the applicable DOT fees

After preparing the above-listed documents, motorists will be asked to send them via mail to the specific DOT mailing address included on the salvage title application form. Otherwise, applicants may opt for submitting the salvage certificate of title application form in person at a local OR DOT office.

Salvage Car Inspections in Oregon

After an Oregon DOT salvage title has been issued, motorists will need to have their vehicles inspected prior to operating them on public roads. Thus, an OR salvage vehicle inspection is one of the requirements that car owners need to satisfy in order to be able to reconstruct or rebuild their vehicles. In order to satisfy the state safety standards, vehicle owners must submit their cars to undergo a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection.

After a vehicle passes the salvage car inspection, it will become eligible for being retitled as “reconstructed,” authorizing motorists to operate this vehicle on public roads once again. In any case, be mindful that inspection fees may apply.

Oregon Salvage Title Fees

The final step for getting an Oregon salvage certificate of title is to submit an acceptable payment method for the applicable titling fees. As a general rule, applicants will be required to pay a fee of $27 for a salvage car title in OR. In addition, vehicle owners will have to pay a $7 fee for a VIN inspection, which must be performed when applying for a rebuilt title.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.