Branded Title Vehicles | Save on Used Cars, Trucks & SUVs
A branded title indicates an event occurred in the vehicle's history. The specific circumstances vary by vehicle. They can be Hail. Collision. Theft. Manufacturer defect. Insurance declared a loss; professional Rebuilders repaired and reinspected the vehicle; and you save about $6,000 compared to a similar clean-title car. That's it.
A quick look at what we've built over the years
What Is a Branded Title Vehicle?
A branded title is a designation on a vehicle's title indicating something significant in its history. The most common trigger is an insurance total loss.
"Branded title" is the umbrella term covering several specific designations, including salvage, rebuilt, and reconstructed. The exact label depends on the state and what happened to the vehicle.
A car with a branded title may have been damaged by hail, a collision, water damage, theft, or a manufacturer defect. After insurance paid the claim, the vehicle was sold to a professional Rebuilder, expertly repaired, and re-inspected by the state, and returned to the road.
The big difference? The price. On average, our customers save around $6,000 compared to a comparable clean title vehicle.
Most vehicles on the AutoSavvy lot carry a rebuilt or reconstructed title, depending on the state of issue. Some vehicles have clean titles as a result of trade-ins.
The brand reflects a vehicle's history. It's also important to evaluate the vehicle's current condition, including its repairs, inspections, and overall condition. What matters is what happened, how it was repaired, and who inspected it.
Types of Branded Titles
Each designation tells a different story. Hover to learn what each one means.
Salvage Title
Issued when insurance declares the car a total loss. Not yet road legal. Requires professional repair and inspection.
Rebuilt Title
A rebuilt title is reissued after professional repair and required inspection. This makes the vehicle road legal, registrable, and insurable.
Reconstructed Title
The same as rebuilt, just different vocabulary used in select states. Same repair standards, same re-inspection process.
How a Car Gets a Branded Title
Insurance Claim Filed
If repair costs exceed a threshold the insurer sets, which varies by state, the insurer may declare the vehicle a total loss, triggering the title brand.
Sold to Professional Rebuilder
The insurer takes ownership and sells the vehicle at auction to a professional Rebuilder for expert repair.
Repaired & Re-inspected
The rebuilder restores the vehicle. The state re-inspects and reissues the title as rebuilt or reconstructed.
Flagged Permanently
The brand stays on the title going forward and typically appears on vehicle history reports.
Back on the Road
The vehicle is road-legal, registerable, financeable and insurable, often for thousands less than a comparable clean title car.
Why People Choose Branded Title Cars
Here's what makes the value proposition work for so many buyers:
Save Thousands
AutoSavvy customers save around 20% on average compared to clean title equivalents. That's real money back in your pocket.
Similar Car, Similar Features
You're paying less for a comparable vehicle, similar features, similar miles, similar condition.
More Car for Your Money
That savings could mean a newer model, lower miles, or a better trim level than your budget would normally allow.
Money for What Matters
$6,000 is piano lessons, soccer camp, or a family vacation that actually happens. It's your money, keep more of it.
Understand Your Vehicle Title Options
The specific designation on a vehicle's title depends on what happened and where it was registered.
| Title Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Salvage Title | A salvage title means an insurer declared the vehicle a total loss. AutoSavvy does not sell salvage title vehicles. |
| Rebuilt Title | A salvage vehicle can be reissued with a rebuilt title after it is repaired and reconditioned. The branded designation stays on the title even after a professional rebuild. That is why the price stays lower than a comparable clean title vehicle. |
| Reconstructed Title | Regional alternative to "rebuilt" used in select states. Same process, different vocabulary. |
Common Reasons for a Branded Title
Where the title status describes the paperwork, the reason describes what actually happened to the car.
Hail Damage
Small dings and cosmetic damage from hail storms. Often totaled by insurance because ding removal is expensive, even when the car remains mechanically intact.
Collision
Vehicles with prior accident damage, declared a total loss by insurance. The car was professionally reconditioned and inspected before reaching our lot.
Flood / Water Recovery
Vehicles with water exposure, from minor cabin moisture to more significant events. Thoroughly assessed and repaired before sale.
Theft Recovery
Vehicles recovered after theft. Damage varies, from minimal to interior components.
How Branded Title Cars Are Reconditioned & Inspected
Less than 1% of branded title vehicles ever reach an AutoSavvy lot. Around 3 million vehicles are declared total losses in the U.S. every year** Our partners select. Our inspectors verify. We back what passes with a warranty*
Rebuilder Selection
Professional Rebuilders source branded title vehicles from auction, prioritizing those with the best foundation for repair: relatively minor damage, low miles, late model years.
Professional Rebuild
Rebuilders recondition the vehicle to AutoSavvy's standards for mechanical, body, paint, and electronics. Many Rebuilders even specialize by brand.
AutoSavvy Inspection
Our inspectors verify the rebuild. Mechanical, electrical, and structural systems are checked. Inspection results reflect conditions observed at the time of inspection. Only vehicles that meet our standards move forward in the AutoSavvy process.
Shipping
Once approved, the vehicle ships to one of our used car retail locations.
On-Lot Inspection
A second inspection is completed when the vehicle arrives and before it is listed for sale, focused on transit-related wear: brakes, suspension, electronics, fluids, and tires.
Warranty
Qualifying vehicles get our Savvy Certified warranty* Because we stand behind what we sell.
Are branded title vehicles a good option for me?
Branded title vehicles are one of the used car market's best-kept secrets. Hundreds of thousands sell across the United States every year. Many buyers never hear about them.
You are not the first to consider one. Since 2005, more than 110,000 people have bought a branded title vehicle from AutoSavvy. Over 20,000 have left five-star reviews. A lot of them come back and buy again. Many qualifying vehicles include a limited warranty.
So are branded title vehicles right for you? That depends on what you need. If you want a newer vehicle for less money, a branded title vehicle is worth a look. AutoSavvy customers have saved an average of $6,000 compared to comparable clean-title vehicles, based on AutoSavvy data.
See Available CarsCan I Finance It? Can I Insure It?
Yes and yes. Branded title vehicles can generally be financed and insured, and AutoSavvy helps with both.
Financing
Most of our 110,000+ buyers opted for financing. AutoSavvy works with national banks, major credit unions, and multiple financing partners. Approvals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, depending on credit profile and lender guidelines.
Insurance
More than 110,000 people have already driven off in insured branded title vehicles. Driving without insurance is illegal, so buyers arrange coverage before they leave the lot. Branded title vehicles can be insured through major carriers, and rates and terms vary by carrier, vehicle, state, and individual driving history. If you'd like a referral, we're happy to help.
Real Customers. Real Stories.
Why Buyers Choose AutoSavvy
"We were unsure about branded titles. AutoSavvy let us do our research. Now we love it."
"AutoSavvy didn’t pressure me into anything. As a woman walking in alone, I really Appreciated that."
"Three vehicles from AutoSavvy and never had a single issue. I'd recommend them to anyone."
"I went to two dealerships that morning. They lied. Both of them. Then I found AutoSavvy. Completely different."
"Six months of searching. Then I walked into AutoSavvy. Found my car that same day."
“AutoSavvy made the transaction super easy. Trade-in, financing, monthly payment we could afford. Done.”
"I got a 2023 Colorado Z71 with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Went back and got my wife a Subaru Outback too. Not pushy at all. Nothing but good."
"We found the car on their website and there were no surprises at the dealership. Pretty transparent, not pushy, and the car has worked great."
"No pressure, no stress. Got the truck I wanted at the price I wanted. The finance guy got me the rate and payment I needed. Everybody was helpful."
"We only had an hour to make it happen. They promised they could, and they did it in less than an hour. Already referred my family."
"As an expecting mother, I wanted a safe vehicle with good value and great miles. AutoSavvy made it incredibly easy to find exactly that."
"We got our Honda Odyssey at a great price and it's been reliable. We've been back a few times looking for another one. The customer service is great."
"Same car as mine but seven years newer at a really good price. The process was super simple. Customer service was awesome."
"Came in with high expectations, low credit, and a trade-in. They went above and beyond. Found me financing that worked and a car I love."
"We were unsure about branded titles. AutoSavvy let us do our research. Now we love it."
"AutoSavvy didn’t pressure me into anything. As a woman walking in alone, I really Appreciated that."
"Three vehicles from AutoSavvy and never had a single issue. I'd recommend them to anyone."
"I went to two dealerships that morning. They lied. Both of them. Then I found AutoSavvy. Completely different."
"Six months of searching. Then I walked into AutoSavvy. Found my car that same day."
“AutoSavvy made the transaction super easy. Trade-in, financing, monthly payment we could afford. Done.”
"I got a 2023 Colorado Z71 with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Went back and got my wife a Subaru Outback too. Not pushy at all. Nothing but good."
"We found the car on their website and there were no surprises at the dealership. Pretty transparent, not pushy, and the car has worked great."
"No pressure, no stress. Got the truck I wanted at the price I wanted. The finance guy got me the rate and payment I needed. Everybody was helpful."
"We only had an hour to make it happen. They promised they could, and they did it in less than an hour. Already referred my family."
"As an expecting mother, I wanted a safe vehicle with good value and great miles. AutoSavvy made it incredibly easy to find exactly that."
"We got our Honda Odyssey at a great price and it's been reliable. We've been back a few times looking for another one. The customer service is great."
"Same car as mine but seven years newer at a really good price. The process was super simple. Customer service was awesome."
"Came in with high expectations, low credit, and a trade-in. They went above and beyond. Found me financing that worked and a car I love."
"We were unsure about branded titles. AutoSavvy let us do our research. Now we love it."
"AutoSavvy didn’t pressure me into anything. As a woman walking in alone, I really Appreciated that."
"Three vehicles from AutoSavvy and never had a single issue. I'd recommend them to anyone."
"I went to two dealerships that morning. They lied. Both of them. Then I found AutoSavvy. Completely different."
"Six months of searching. Then I walked into AutoSavvy. Found my car that same day."
“AutoSavvy made the transaction super easy. Trade-in, financing, monthly payment we could afford. Done.”
"I got a 2023 Colorado Z71 with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Went back and got my wife a Subaru Outback too. Not pushy at all. Nothing but good."
"We found the car on their website and there were no surprises at the dealership. Pretty transparent, not pushy, and the car has worked great."
"No pressure, no stress. Got the truck I wanted at the price I wanted. The finance guy got me the rate and payment I needed. Everybody was helpful."
"We only had an hour to make it happen. They promised they could, and they did it in less than an hour. Already referred my family."
"As an expecting mother, I wanted a safe vehicle with good value and great miles. AutoSavvy made it incredibly easy to find exactly that."
"We got our Honda Odyssey at a great price and it's been reliable. We've been back a few times looking for another one. The customer service is great."
"Same car as mine but seven years newer at a really good price. The process was super simple. Customer service was awesome."
"Came in with high expectations, low credit, and a trade-in. They went above and beyond. Found me financing that worked and a car I love."
AutoSavvy Branded Title FAQs
AutoSavvy specializes in branded title vehicles, sometimes referred to as salvage title, rebuilt title, or reconstructed vehicles depending on the state.
A branded title is a permanent mark on a vehicle's title. It flags a significant event in the car's history. A common trigger is an insurance total loss after damage. Depending on the state, you'll hear it called salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed. Those are all branded titles. The label reflects the state and what happened to the car. The brand stays with the vehicle for good. It marks history, not current condition. The history is on the record.
This means you can save a significant amount on this type of vehicle compared to its clean title counterpart. The average AutoSavvy customer saves $6,000 when buying a branded title. A branded title indicates a vehicle has experienced a significant event in its history, such as damage or theft. The vehicle was repaired and re-inspected before resale.
Branded title vehicles typically cost less because of their history designation, even after they have been professionally rebuilt and reconstructed.
Most of our 110,000+ buyers opted for financing. AutoSavvy works with national banks, major credit unions, and multiple financing partners. Approvals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, depending on credit profile and lender guidelines.
More than 110,000 people have already driven off in insured branded title vehicles. Driving without insurance is illegal, so buyers arrange coverage before they leave the lot. Branded title vehicles can be insured through major carriers, and rates and terms vary by carrier, vehicle, state, and individual driving history. If you'd like a referral, we're happy to help.
A branded title vehicle typically resells for less than a comparable clean title vehicle. But you paid less too, an average of $6,000 less based on AutoSavvy data. Both vehicles depreciate on roughly the same curve, and the dollar gap narrows over time. The discount you give up at resale is typically smaller than the discount you received at purchase.