RBLT-1 - The Salvage/Rebuilt Process & New Title Application

A "Salvage Vehicle” is a passenger motor vehicle which has been wrecked, destroyed, or damaged to the extent that the repair costs would exceed 75% of the retail value of the vehicle. A “Non-repairable vehicle” is a passenger motor vehicle which is incapable of safe operation for use on roads or highways and which has no resale value, except as a source for parts or scrap (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-3-201). After the vehicle has been deemed a total loss and a total loss claim has been paid, the insurance company or owner must obtain a Salvage or Non-Repairable Certificate by submitting an Application for Salvage or Non-Repairable Certificate. These certificates of title serve only to establish ownership of the vehicle. No vehicle deemed as Salvage or Non-repairable can be registered in or operate on the roads and highways of the state of Tennessee. A vehicle that receives a Salvage Certificate may be rebuilt to be road worthy but must first go through the Rebuilt Vehicle process described in this article. There is no cost to obtain a Salvage/Non-Repairable Certificate.

Establish Ownership: To apply for a Salvage/Non-Repairable Certificate, complete the Application for Salvage or Non-Repairable Certificate, attach the following supporting documentation and mail to the TN Dept. of Revenue, Vehicle Services Division, 500 Deaderick Street, 7th Floor, Nashville, TN 37242:

• Current title, properly assigned;
• Power of Attorney (only required if someone other than the vehicle owner is submitting the application);
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (only required for vehicles with a manufacture year of 10 years or less).

Title Branded Rebuilt:  An owner of a Salvage Vehicle that has been repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and department rules may apply for a regular certificate of title with a brand of “Rebuilt Vehicle.”

To apply for a title branded "Rebuilt", complete the Application for Motor Vehicle Identification Certification for Rebuilt Vehicles, attach the following supporting documentation and mail to the TN Dept. of Revenue, Vehicle Services Division, 500 Deaderick Street, 7th Floor, Nashville, TN 37242:

• Outstanding Salvage Certificate;
• Color photographs of the vehicle in its damaged condition, showing each quadrant;
• Receipts for all parts replaced as indicated on the Application. The receipts must show the year, make and identification number of the vehicle from which they were taken. The receipts must show the complete name and mailing address of the buyer(s) and seller(s). If the parts used were aftermarket or new, it must be indicated on the receipt. A rebuilder other than the applicant may not appear in the chain of ownership of the vehicle.
• Fees payable to the Tennessee Department of Revenue:
  - Individuals, conversion fee of $75.00.
  - Licensed dealers, conversion fee and an Application for Title, with a total fee of $85.50.

If the Application for Motor Vehicle Identification Certification for Rebuilt Vehicles is approved, the next steps are:

• For Dealers:if the vehicle must pass inspection prior to issuance to a title branded rebuilt, an agent with our Special Investigation Unit will contact the applicant to set up an appointment where the agent can inspect the vehicle. If the vehicle passes inspection the agent will give the applicant, the title branded rebuilt and the decal proving the vehicle passed inspection. Rejected applicants will be informed of missing requirements.
• For Individuals:if the vehicle must pass inspection prior to issuance to a title branded rebuilt, an agent with our Special Investigation Unit will contact the applicant to set up an appointment where the agent can inspect the vehicle. If the vehicle passes inspection the agent will give the applicant a decal proving the vehicle passed inspection and a letter to take to the County Clerk stating that the vehicle can be issued a title branded rebuilt from the clerk. If an application is approved and the vehicle is not required to pass inspection prior to issuance to a title branded rebuilt, the applicant must submit the approval letter to the County Clerk and apply for a certificate of title branded rebuilt. Rejected applicants will be informed of missing requirements.

More information: Salvage, Non-repairable and Rebuilt Vehicles, Salvage Certificates and Rebuilt Vehicles.

Reference: Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-3-201; 55-3-202; 55-3-206; 55-3-209.