I'm looking to buy a vehicle that has been written off from water damage. Can the writeoff be reversed?

Question

I'm in Edmonton, AB. I'm wondering if i can challenge the write off or something. The car was in water, but it runs and works fine. Is there any way to get it registered?

Answer 1

Don't EVER buy a flooded car.  It may run OK today, but what about tomorrow?  They are nothing but trouble.  Electrical problems crop up (even if they seem fine now), computer problems, mold problems if the carpeting & seats & upolstery were not COMPLETELY replaced.

The problems were so bad (people who bought flooded cars at auction after Katrina) & selling them to unsuspecting buyers that Progressive (a huge US auto carrier) decided that any cars they totalled from a flood would be crushed & never put to auction.  For an insurer to do that (when they could have gotten some money from auction) the problems are BAD.

RUN away from this deal.

Answer 2

If the car has been written off, it must go through a complete D.O.T inspection as well as a body inspection and them registered  as a reclaimed vehicle (well this is how it works in Ontario). Contact your MOT office or ask a body shop on the procedures.

Answer 3

Some fatherly advice: run, do not walk, away from this deal. I have been in the automotive industry for over 35 years (23 of them in insurance claims) and I have repaired/handled claims on hundreds of flood damaged vehicles. Unless the repairs were done by a seasoned professional to exacting standards you could be facing years of heartache and thousands of dollars in repair bills, not to mention that you have a car with a tainted title that you likely NEVER be able to sell to anyone. Sure the car is OK now but how about six months from now. Problem with water/flood damaged cars is that electrical connections begin to corrode, seat tracks rust, sensors and vital electronic components begin to breakdown with reckless abandon if not repaired properly. Just save your money and buy a dry vehicle with a clean title, pal...

Answer 4

Unless you are only paying $10.00 or so for this car, I would not buy it.  I have always followed the rule: Don't buy yourself trouble.

Answer 5

You can get a salvaged title on it but it will always be noted on the title. ITs required to stay on the title by law. Some states wont register the car if it has a salvage title.