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Smart VIN Check

Arizona VIN check

Arizona brands wrecked cars at three levels and makes sellers disclose a salvage past in writing. It also gives dealer buyers a short implied warranty that few other buyers get. Here is how it works.

Updated October 2026

Arizona’s title brands

Titles are issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Under A.R.S. 28-2091, a salvage vehicle is one that was stolen, wrecked, destroyed, flood or water damaged, or otherwise damaged so badly that the owner, lender or insurer considers it uneconomical to repair.

Sources: A.R.S. 28-2091, 28-2095 and 28-2096.
TitleWhat it means
SalvageA total loss that may be repaired. It has to be restored and inspected before it is titled for the road again.
NonrepairableGood only for parts or scrap, or a fully stripped or fully burned car. The front of the title says “nonrepairable”, registration is cancelled and no further titles are issued.
Restored salvageA salvage or dismantled vehicle that was rebuilt and passed an ADOT inspection.
Flood or water damageA brand ADOT may add, including on salvage and restored salvage titles, and carry over from another state’s flood title.

To get a restored salvage title, the owner submits the car for a level two or level three inspection, which matches the VIN on the car with hidden VINs and, at level three, checks component parts. The owner also shows proof of ownership for replacement parts, and stolen parts found during the inspection are seized.

Sellers must tell you in writing

Arizona law requires anyone who knowingly sells a car with a salvage title, or with a restored salvage title, to disclose that clearly in writing or electronically before the sale is completed. If a manufacturer bought a car back under Arizona’s lemon law or another state’s, it must attach a written notice before reselling it, and dealers must give that notice to the buyer.

Disclosure only works when the seller knows, or admits it. A car titled clean in Arizona after a total loss in another state may arrive with no brand on its paper title, which is why the history across all states matters. See salvage title check.

The dealer’s 15-day or 500-mile warranty

Under A.R.S. 44-1267, a used-car dealer can’t disclaim the implied warranty of merchantability until 15 days after delivery or 500 miles, whichever comes first. The car must work safely and be substantially free of defects that significantly limit its use for ordinary driving. You pay up to $25 toward each of the first two repairs, and the dealer’s liability is capped at the purchase price. A dealer can exclude only specific defects it disclosed and you signed for.

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Letters and numbers, no I, O or Q. It’s on the dashboard by the windshield, on the driver’s door frame, and on the title.

Checklist for an Arizona purchase

  1. Read the front of the title for salvage, restored salvage, nonrepairable or flood wording.
  2. Ask a private seller directly whether the car was ever totaled, and get the answer in writing.
  3. Run a history report for brands and total losses from other states.
  4. If it is a restored salvage car, ask for the repair invoices used at the ADOT inspection.
  5. From a dealer, check that the contract carries the 15-day, 500-mile warranty statement and lists any defects you agreed to.
  6. Have a mechanic inspect it before you pay.

Questions

Can a nonrepairable car be registered in Arizona?

No. Registration is cancelled when a nonrepairable title is issued, and ADOT won’t perform further title transfers or issue another paper title for that vehicle.

Does the 15-day, 500-mile warranty apply to private sales?

No. A.R.S. 44-1267 applies to used-car dealers. In a private sale, your protection is mainly what you check before buying.

Will a flood brand from another state show on an Arizona title?

ADOT may issue an Arizona title carrying a flood or water damage brand for a car with that brand from another state. A history report shows the original brand and where it was applied.

Related

Sources