It’s not super complicated to get a rebuilt title in Michigan. You just need to pay a $100 fee for law enforcement to inspect the vehicle and file the appropriate paperwork.

It’s common for vehicles to get stripped for parts and sent to the car crusher after being totaled—insurance companies just write the vehicle off and send it on its way. But to give a car a second chance, you could consider getting a rebuilt title.

It’s possible to rebuild a totaled car or purchase a vehicle with a salvage title in Michigan. It is illegal to operate a vehicle with a salvage title on public roadways, so you’re definitely going to need a rebuilt title to get to work on time.

Jerry

, the

trustworthy super app

for

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, is here to walk you through the process of getting a rebuilt title in Michigan.

We’ll go over what a rebuilt title is, when you need one, and what the process is to get one, and how to find affordable

Michigan car insurance costs

for your rebuilt car.

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What is a rebuilt title?

rebuilt title

certifies that a car has been repaired to meet safety standards after an insurance company declared it a total loss.

Michigan rebuilt titles come from cars that are repaired after getting a salvage title. Salvage titles mean the car has been written off as a total loss by the insurance company. Salvage titles

can be replaced

with a rebuilt title after making the necessary repairs.

Does my car need a rebuilt title?

It’s illegal to operate a vehicle with a salvage title on public roadways in Michigan. A previously totaled car needs a rebuilt title to be driven safely or sold. You might luck out meeting a car enthusiast who wants to repair a car with a salvage title—or meet a buyer who’s not risk-averse—but don’t count on it. Most experts advise

against buying a car with a salvage title.

A rebuilt title doesn’t wipe the history of the car. The title will never again be clean, but the rebuilt title certifies that a licensed inspector has declared the car safe to drive after the necessary repairs have been made.

MORE: How to insure a car with a salvage title

How to get a rebuilt title in Michigan

Getting a rebuilt title in Michigan is not terribly difficult. First you’ll need an inspection from a certified law enforcement officer who will collect a $100 fee. Then you’ll bring the appropriate documentation to a Secretary of State branch office.

Apply for the salvage title

You’ll need to submit an application for a salvage title before you can move a totaled vehicle. Submit the application at the local branch of the Michigan Secretary of State.

Make the necessary repairs to your vehicle

It’s best to get a licensed mechanic to repair a totaled vehicle, but you can also do the repairs yourself if you’re good with cars. Once the vehicle is repaired, the mechanic who performed the repairs must fill out Part 4 of the

TR-13A form

to certify the repairs.

After you’ve got the form from your mechanic, bring the vehicle to a certified salvage inspector, who will examine the car and fill out a TR-13B Salvage Vehicle Recertification form. This is what the officer does:

Checks the ownership of all the parts used to repair the vehicle

Checks vehicle compliance with the requirements of the Michigan Vehicle Code

Completes and issues you a TR-13B form

Collects a $100 fee

Essential documents for a rebuilt Michigan title

You will need to bring the following to your local Secretary of State branch office:

Completed Application for Salvage Vehicle Inspection (TR13-A)

Completed Salvage Vehicle Recertification (TR13-B)

The salvage title

You’ll also have to pay the $15 title fee. Note that the title fee changes to $16 if you’re adding or removing

lien on a car

How long does a rebuilt title take in Michigan?

The whole process from salvage title to rebuilt title can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days.

MORE:

Michigan car insurance laws

Finding cheap car insurance in Michigan

Michigan car insurance laws are the same whether your title is clean or rebuilt. It only takes a couple of minutes to find great coverage that meets the Michigan

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Is a rebuilt title bad in Michigan?

It’s totally possible to find a car with a rebuilt title that’s hiding some mechanical issues. If you’re cautious though, you can find some super deals on great cars. Just get a licensed mechanic to check out the vehicle before you commit.

How much does it cost to get a rebuilt title in Michigan?

After a $100 recertification fee and $15 title fee, you can get a rebuilt title in Michigan for $115.

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