What Is a Rebuilt Status on a Car?

Today’s blog post will cover some of the different statuses used to describe the state of a vehicle. And we’ll answer one of the most commonly asked questions in the used car buying industry, “what is a rebuilt status on a car?”.

The term rebuilt can be intimidating. However, it’s not as ominous as it first appears. Because a rebuilt title can mean a wide variety of things. Particularly in this day and age where the price of anything always seems to be on the rise.

We’ll explore why vehicles get deemed as rebuilt, what’s involved with buying a rebuilt car, and whether or not it’s a sensible investment. We composed today’s blog post based off of our own experiences as a professional scrap car removal company in Metro Vancouver.

Why Does It Mean When a Car Has a Rebuilt Status?

For anyone considering buying a used vehicle, you’ll notice that you come across a lot of different terms that explain the condition of the vehicle.

Great, good fair, poor, are all terms used to describe what state the vehicle is. And they are self-explanatory.

However,” rebuilt” is a common, but vague description of an automobile. And one that really needs elaboration to avoid purchasing a lemon.

Rebuilt Status Definition Canada

In British Columbia, a vehicle with “rebuilt” status means that it was previously written off by ICBC and has since been rebuilt to be roadworthy.

And in order to get that status, it must meet certain standards and specifications that comply with certain criteria as set out by ICBC.

Typically, a vehicle will be deemed a “total loss” by ICBC before becoming a rebuilt vehicle. And this can occur for a variety of reasons.

What Causes a Car to Be Deemed “Rebuilt”?

It’s a common misconception that a “rebuilt” vehicle has been totaled in a major collision. Because nowadays, vehicles can be written off for a variety of reasons. And with the cost of everything going up constantly, it doesn’t take much to write off a car these days.

Reasons a Vehicle May Get Written Off Include:

• Vandalism damage
• Collision damage
• Structural damage from improper modifications
• Major glass damage
• Significant interior damage
• Minor repairs covered by insurance, but huge depreciation
• Unrecovered theft

As you can see, a variety of issues can lead a vehicle into the total loss category. And something less damaging, such as vandalism, can greatly reduce the cost to buy a vehicle once repaired, with minimal damage being the cause of its rebuilt status.

Rebuilt Status Meaning in BC

Many used car dealerships, new car dealerships, and even some repair shops will invest the time and money to get the vehicle to a point where it can be resold again.

However, the repairs can be complex, depending on why it was written off by ICBC.

And the vehicle must pass an ICBC vehicle inspection that ensures the automobile is entirely mechanically and structurally sound before it can be resold.

What’s Required to Get a Vehicle to Rebuilt Status?

After a vehicle is written off by ICBC, it can be resold and reinsured once repaired to certain standards.

And while the repairs will naturally vary vehicle to vehicle, damage to damage, the standards that are set out in British Columbia are the same.

Rebuilt Status Requirements Include:

• The vehicle must be repaired to a roadworthy standard: structural integrity, safety systems (airbags, seat belts), mechanical systems.
• It must pass inspections mandated by the provincial authority. For example, in British Columbia, a “Private Vehicle Inspection (PVI)” and a structural inspection for vehicles formerly with salvage status.
• Documentation is often required: photos of damage, receipts for parts, proof the rebuild was done properly.
• Once approved, the title/ownership record is updated to show “rebuilt” (or equivalent) and the car can be registered, licensed, and driven like any other vehicle (though with disclosure).

In many cases with slightly older vehicles, the rebuilt version is almost, if not, better than the previous one. Because aging and older vehicles can usually have issues related to things other than the damage that causes it to be written off. And these issues will usually be addressed before inspection.

Are Rebuilt Cars Good to Buy?

Rebuilt vehicles offer consumers a potentially great vehicle at extraordinary savings. Because you can get a vehicle that is much newer, at about half to a third of its usual cost.

Additionally, rebuilt vehicles are under the microscope when it comes to repairs. Because in order to be resold or insured again, the vehicle must pass stringent BC vehicle inspection standards.

This can often lead to a better vehicle than it once was. Because when vehicles are mass produced, there is a lot of room for error. The errors lead to recalls, safety issues, and even poor vehicle reliability and performance.

However, when a vehicle gets rebuilt, in some cases, it can be even better than it was before it was written off, depending on the condition of the car before it was deemed a total loss.

ICBC Status Definitions

Aside from the term “rebuilt”, you’ve probably also heard of “salvage” status, or “altered” status. And these, just like rebuilt all infer a specific designation, depending on what condition the vehicle is or was in when it was assessed by ICBC.

Altered Status

An altered vehicle status designation is usually assigned to a vehicle that has been modified after it was produced or manufactured by the company that made it. And this is usually only assigned to a vehicle when certain modifications have been made.

Any modification that impacts the structural integrity of a vehicle is subject to being titled as altered. This can include a variety of changes. But the most common ones are:

• Converting a vehicle from one fuel source to another
• Modifications to the chassis
• Excessive suspension adjustments or “lifts”
• When a vehicle is “homemade” or has combined at least two different vehicle types together
• Modified or home-built vehicles will only acquire an altered status designation one it has passed the BC vehicle inspection requirements.

If there are any issues found during inspection, the owner will be required to rectify them and bring their vehicle for inspection again.

Salvage Status

This is a designation we see a lot in the scrap car removal industry. Because when you’ve spent over 30 years scrapping cars for cash in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, salvage vehicles are a daily occurrence.

A salvage status designation is usually the preliminary title for vehicles that are then later considered rebuilt by ICBC.

Because a salvage title means that the vehicle is a total loss. And this is the first stage of becoming a rebuilt car later. All a salvage title means is that the vehicle has the potential to be fixed and roadworthy again.

Non-Repairable Status

This title is pretty self-explanatory, but we will still elaborate. A non-repairable title is assigned to a vehicle that has catastrophic damage that will never be able to be repaired.

This is typical for vehicles that have bent frames in particular. Which is something we see quite often in the scrap car removal industry. Particularly with older or aging vehicles, or newer vehicles that were involved in a major collision.

These vehicles will never be allowed back on the road again. They cannot be insured or repaired, even if significant repairs are completed on the vehicle. Because of potential safety issues, no amount of repairs will get these vehicles back on the road again.

Cash for Scrap Cars in Metro Vancouver

Got a scrap car that has significant collision damage? Or perhaps you modified that old 4×4 and can’t get it to pass inspection. Maybe it’s something as simple as having a late model sedan that needs a new engine. Whatever the case, we can help.

More Cash For Scrap has been paying MORE cash for scrap cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, hybrids, and commercial vehicles since 2005. And we provide our scrap car removal services throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Our team of scrap car buyers are experienced and knowledgeable in junk car recycling. And we are always happy to answer any questions you have about our junk car removal process.

Where to Junk My Car in the Lower Mainland

Since 2005, we’ve been scrapping cars for cash in both Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. And we do this while providing free towing and same day scrap car removal in most cases. This is why we are the #1 scrap car removal company in the Lower Mainland.

Moreover, we will take the time to explain what your vehicle is worth and why. And we’ll present you with an instant cash offer right over the phone. Just give us a call and talk to one of our scrap car buyers today.

We offer MORE customer service. Along with MORE flexible scrap car pickup times. And we pay MORE cash for scrap cars than the other guys. We simply offer MORE!