Salvage Car Value Calculator
Estimate a salvage title car's value from the comparable clean retail price and damage severity, using CarFlipIQ's model ranges (30–65% off clean retail). An estimate, not a guaranteed price.
Already repaired and re-titled? Use the rebuilt title value calculator.
What a clean-title version sells for in your market. “15k” works.
Add buyer fee + transport
Enter what you would bid. We add the auction's buyer and service fees and your transport.
$7,500 – $9,000
Keeps ~55% of clean value at moderate damage.
Is that what it really sells for near you? See real local salvage asking prices and days-on-market.
See local compsWhy this is an estimate, not a price
Salvage discounts vary by state: Florida and Texas accept salvage cars more readily, while California and the Northeast discount them harder. The same VIN can sit 30% off in one market and 50% off in another. CarFlipIQ tracks Facebook Marketplace listings for branded titles by ZIP, so instead of a national range you see local asking prices for comparable salvage cars in your market.
Discount ranges are CarFlipIQ's model estimates, not guaranteed prices. Actual values vary by region, buyer pool, and condition. Verify with local asking-price comps before bidding or buying.
What will it resell for in your market?
The fees are half the math. Check the local asking price before you bid.
Have a rebuilt title instead? Use the rebuilt title value calculator. Working out fees first? IAAI fee calculator.
FAQ
How much is a salvage title car worth?
In CarFlipIQ's model, a salvage title is typically priced 30–65% below a comparable clean-title vehicle: 30–40% for light damage, 40–50% for moderate, and 50–65% for heavy frame, flood, or fire damage. The actual number depends heavily on your local market — Sun Belt states accept salvage cars better than the Northeast or California.
Can a salvage car be insured?
Liability insurance is usually obtainable. Full coverage (collision + comprehensive) is significantly harder to get on a salvage title. Some insurers refuse outright; others require a state inspection and re-titling to 'rebuilt' before they'll write full coverage. Verify with your insurer before buying.
Should I buy a salvage car to flip?
Salvage cars can pencil out, but the resale velocity is slower than clean titles — sometimes 2x to 3x the days-on-market. If you have repair skills or a body shop, the numbers can work. Without that, you're competing against rebuilt-title sellers and clean-title private sellers on the same listings. Verify your local sell-speed before bidding at Copart or IAAI.
What's the difference between salvage and rebuilt title?
A 'salvage' title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurer and has not been re-titled. A 'rebuilt' (or 'reconstructed') title means the car was repaired, passed a state inspection, and was re-titled for road use. Rebuilt cars sell for less of a discount than salvage cars. In CarFlipIQ's model that is 20–45% off clean retail vs 30–65% for salvage.
Does CARFAX or AutoCheck show a salvage title?
Yes — title brands are reported to all major vehicle history services. Once a car has a salvage or rebuilt brand, it stays on the record permanently. Buyers will see it. Pricing the brand correctly into your sale is the only way to actually move the inventory.