Rebuilt Cars for Sale

[JesseBlue]

I would like everyone's input regarding rebuilt status. Would this be the same as a salvage title then rebuilt when it gets fixed up? how much off or maximum value could you offer for typically a car that cost $4k? Safe? how do you go about and getting it checked thoroughly meaning how do you know if the airbag is really there and such? How do can you say that it is not safe if for example, it gets re-examined and icbc gives it a passing grade?

thanks

[thumper]

have you done a search? i recall this topic being discussed before but i'm too lazy to look it up right now sorry...

[JesseBlue]

i have theres one back in 2004 with only a handful of information. i need 2009 opinions.

then again would it be better to get a car with higher mileage instead?

[punkwax]

IMO it would be better to get an older car you can afford with lower kms and no rebuilt status. But hey, thats just me.

[Timpo]

don't buy it...not worth all the headache

[Wykydtron]

I would take it to a shop to get a full inspection, and a frame inspection etc etc if you really want the car.

[heleu]

If you're looking at cars worth around $4K, don't bother with rebuilt. You're going to be saving hundreds, not thousands of dollars. Not worth the headache.

When I was looking at rebuilts, you'll find the real savings for high demand cars such as rebuilt S2Ks for $10K, M3s for $20K. That sort of thing....the non-rebuilt price is usually 50% more.

[orange7]

check why it's a rebuilt.

[jlenko]

Originally Posted by JesseBlue

Would this be the same as a salvage title then rebuilt when it gets fixed up?

That is exactly what rebuilt means... the vehicle was declared a total loss by ICBC (aka "written off") and sold for scrap, but it was not declared "dismantle only" (which means exactly what it says). So someone took a written off car, rebuilt it, had it inspected, then sells it to you. This is a common practice at all those shady dealerships down by the Patullo Bridge on King George... look at the lot full of wrecked cars next door - that's where the parts came from to fix the ones in the lot for sale.

It all depends on what the damage was, and who repaired (and how) they repaired it. I've seen really good repair jobs that are as good and as safe as the car when it was original... but I've also seen crappy repair jobs that I wonder how they ever passed some safety inspections...

The key is to have it checked out yourself before you buy it... whether it's by BCAA or a shop, or your own mechanic. I would tend to lean towards someone who knows the specific kind of car that you're looking at.