Clayton Rebuilders

Wrecked cars are often repairable and can be great project cars for buyers wanting to make the necessary
repairs. Properly rebuilt cars can be just as reliable and safe as any other car. Salvage cars can be a great
opportunity to save money and have a little fun too. Rebuilding salvage vehicles can be a rewarding
endeavor, or even become a profitable business.

Where do repairable salvage cars come from?
Insurance companies often declare accident-damaged vehicles as total losses rather than pay for repairs.
The typical rule is that if the cost of repairs will exceed 70%-75% of the replacement value, then the vehicle
will be totaled.

This can vary by state. In some cases these "distressed" vehicles are not rebuildable at all. However, in
other cases, distressed vehicles have damages that can be easily repaired and are perfectly rebuildable to
full safe operational condition.

In cases such as those in which a large number of vehicles are damaged at the same time, as in a flood or
hurricane, an insurance company may survey only a few vehicles and then, to save time and expense,
declare large groups of similar vehicles as total losses even though some of the vehicles may have only
minor damage.

When an insurance company pays a claim for a vehicle that has been stolen, the owner assigns the title to
the insurance company. The insurance company becomes the owner of the vehicle. If the vehicle is
recovered, the insurance company must apply for a salvage title if one or more major component parts are
missing, destroyed, or damaged and not salvageable. This applies even if the estimated cost of repair is
less than 75% of the vehicle's fair-market replacement value.

What's a salvage title?
Salvage cars are those that have been damaged or totaled, paid off (and therefore purchased) by
insurance firms, who then can sell these cars to licensed salvage dealers, or back to original owners who
want to restore them. In many states, it is required that such vehicles have a "salvage" title. Serious natural
events that damage and destroy cars also present an opportunity for people who want to pick up great
bargains, especially with repairable and rebuildable vehicles that have been declared total losses by
insurance companies.

How will I repair everything by myself?
Look at the rebuilding proccess similar to your own home. If you were to remodel your bathroom, you would
look at the parts you can do and then hire out the work you cannot. That process is the same in auto repair.
Some of the tasks you may not be able to do might be frame work, alignment, or some sheet metal
refinishing. Develop a work list for the damage and write in next to each item who will complete that work.
By following a plan rebuilding a salvage car can be a fun and rewarding experience. Our sales staff will be
more than happy to help you with a parts list and recommend local shops to assist you with certain aspects
of the repair

When you go to repair your salvage car, remember Everybody Drives on Used Parts.
Use the best quality replacement parts and aftermarket auto parts you can afford. Recycled automotive
parts are often times the right answer, you get the quality of an Original part at a greatly reduced price than
what you would pay at a Dealership. We have a large selection of parts on hand, the capability to find parts
nationwide, and sources to provide you with high quality new aftermarket parts as well..

Summary
If you think you might want to save money by buying and repairing a damaged car, or you need a good
project car, a rebuildable salvage might be the answer for you.

Please follow the links below for more information on Salvage vehicles.