Is a Car Considered a Salvage Title Vehicle After Half-Shaft Replacement?
2 Answers
Replacing a half-shaft does classify a car as a salvage title vehicle, because once the suspension is deformed, unless entirely new parts are installed, the structural rigidity is compromised, indicating damage to the frame. Components like headlights are less critical in this assessment. Definition of a Salvage Title Vehicle: A salvage title vehicle refers to a car that has suffered damage from non-natural wear and tear incidents, leading to a decline in mechanical performance and economic value. Generally, "salvage title vehicles" are those with structural damage. Additionally, flood-damaged and fire-damaged cars also fall under the category of "special salvage title vehicles." Criteria for Salvage Title Vehicles: Vehicles that have been impacted, resulting in damage to the engine compartment or the passenger compartment. Vehicles with rear quarter panel damage exceeding one-third of its area. Vehicles with welded, cut, reshaped, or deformed longitudinal beams. Vehicles with welded, cut, reshaped, or deformed shock absorber mounts. Vehicles with welded, cut, reshaped, or deformed A, B, or C pillars. Vehicles whose airbags have deployed due to a collision, among others.
Last time when I helped a friend check out a used car, I encountered this situation. I carefully inspected the vehicle's frame—the beams weren't deformed, and the airbags had never deployed. The half-shaft is a wear-prone component; many older cars need replacements due to severe bumps over potholes or aging rubber boots leaking oil, which is entirely different from collision damage. It reminds me of some dealers deliberately marking down cars as 'accident vehicles' just because the half-shaft was replaced, when in reality, the owner might have simply driven on rough roads and replaced the driveshaft a couple of times. A true accident vehicle should be judged by hard indicators like welded points on the longitudinal beams or cuts on the A/B/C pillars—merely repairing a drivetrain component doesn’t count.
