New York VIN check

When a New York car counts as salvage

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles treats a vehicle as salvage when an insurer took it on a Salvage Certificate (MV-907A) after a collision, theft, vandalism or water damage, when repairs would cost more than 75% of its retail value before the damage, when it arrives on another state’s salvage title, or when the owner declared it a wreck on the title.

New York has no separate flood brand on its titles. Water damage is one of the causes that can make a car salvage.

The salvage examination, step by step

Rebuilt cars with an MV-907A, and rebuilt salvage cars from most other states, must pass a DMV salvage examination before New York issues a title or registration. The owner applies by mail on Form MV-83SAL with original proof of ownership, the bill of sale, proof that sales tax was paid and the fee: $200 with an MV-907A, or $205 with other proof of ownership. The DMV then mails an appointment at one of its 14 examination sites, from Queens Village, the Bronx and Deer Park to Colonie, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh.

On exam day the car must be complete and safe to drive, with original receipts for replacement parts. Replacement airbags must be new and made for that model. If it passes, the title arrives by mail in about 3 to 5 weeks with the Rebuilt Salvage brand.

If the DMV later finds a salvage history on a car that was registered recently, it won’t issue a title or renew the registration until the car has been through the examination. Buying a car whose past was hidden can leave you with an exam to pass before you can keep driving it.

Flood cars from other states

After heavy rain in 2023, the DMV reminded buyers that some sellers move flooded cars out of the affected area and get a new title in a different state. A title from somewhere that didn’t flood says nothing about the car’s past. The DMV lists damage to the engine, transmission, wiring, airbags and computers among the risks.

A history report collects brands, insurance total losses and auction sales from every state, which is what you need for a car that moved. Our salvage title check explains how to read them.

Protections for New York buyers

• Salvage disclosure. Anyone selling a rebuilt salvage car must give a disclosure statement, whatever its age. A dealer must also confirm on the bill of sale that you were told the car was damaged, and failing to disclose can cost up to $2,000 in fines.
• Returned lemons. Under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 417-a, a car returned to the maker or dealer under the lemon laws must come with a notice saying so, and the same notice must be printed on the title.
• Used car lemon law. General Business Law § 198-b makes a dealer give a written warranty on a used car that costs at least $1,500 and has fewer than 100,000 miles: 90 days or 4,000 miles at up to 36,000 miles, 60 days or 3,000 miles up to 79,999, and 30 days or 1,000 miles from 80,000. It covers the engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, steering and a few other parts.

Your checklist

1. Read the front of the title for REBUILT SALVAGE: NY, and the back for the damage disclosure.
2. On a car 9 or more model years old, don’t read a missing brand as a clean past.
3. Ask the seller for the salvage examination paperwork and the parts receipts.
4. Pull a history report for brands and total losses from other states.
5. Pay a mechanic or body shop to inspect the repair, since the DMV exam doesn’t.