Title Check: what a Delaware car title really says
No brand, salvage, rebuilt, flood and the other brands this state uses. Each word changes what the car is worth and what you can do with it.
The title is the document that says who owns the car and what serious things have happened to it. Brands and disclosures depend on the issuing jurisdiction’s rules; also review available records from previous states. A branded car can be the right buy at the right price; the problem is paying a no-brand price for one that has a brand.
Title brands and disclosure information in Delaware
| Brand or condition | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No brand | An unbranded title does not establish that there were no accidents, flooding or repairs. Review available records and the car’s condition. | Check odometer and listing history, and get a pre-purchase inspection. |
| Salvage · Rebuilt · Restored Salvage | The insurer paid it as a total loss. The DMV swaps the title for a salvage document (§ 2512) and the car cannot be driven until rebuilt. Delaware sets no damage percentage: the insurer's total-loss decision is what counts. To return to the road it passes a State Police (Auto Theft Unit) inspection, with photos before repair and receipts for every part, and then the DMV inspection. | Ask for the damage photos and parts receipts the rebuilder had to show. Without them, only at a project price. |
| Reconstructed | Per the DMV, "reconstructed", "specially constructed" or "homemade" means the vehicle was built or rebuilt from scratch. It may need a state-issued serial number; if it is missing, you will have trouble titling and registering it. | Confirm the state serial number and that your insurer will cover it before you pay. |
| Flood Damaged | A brand the dealer must disclose to you in writing (§ 6309(d)). Water inside a modern car damages wiring, modules and airbags over time. | For most buyers: no. If you still consider it, a full electrical inspection. |
| Previous Taxi (PREV TAXI) | It was a taxi or public transportation vehicle. Before it is sold, the title is stamped "PREV TAXI" and the state must check that it is safe and properly equipped (§ 2514). A lot of use in few years. | Price by real use, not by model year. |
| Odometer Discrepancy · Not Actual Mileage | The real mileage is unknown. Check the front of the title: the seller's reading on the back should normally be higher than the one on the front. | Price it as if the mileage were high, and check the service history. |
The law protects you, if you use it
The dealer must tell you if the title is reconstructed, flood damaged, salvage or taxi, and you sign form MV724 before titling. If the dealer did not give you that statement, you can cancel the contract at any time and get all your money back, with interest and fees (§ 6309(d)). Every dealer used car carries the FTC Buyers Guide (§ 6309(c)). Any seller must tell you in writing if the catalytic converter is missing (§ 2515). In a private sale, the brand is printed on the title: ask to see the front.
How to review the title and available history
- NMVTIS Title History Report (enlazado desde el DMV de Delaware / linked from Delaware DMV): check the service coverage, costs and access requirements; not every service displays title-brand history.
- NMVTIS: the federal title-history system. Consumer access is through approved providers; report prices and limitations depend on the service.
- NICB VINCheck: thefts and total losses reported by insurers.
- The paper: ask to see the physical title (or the printed electronic one) before handing over money. The VIN on the title must be the car's, and the name the seller's.
Odometer: the other brand
Where an odometer disclosure is required, review the mileage and any notation of unknown mileage or counter limits. Exemptions exist; check current requirements and compare the odometer with maintenance and inspection records.
How much it changes the price
This guide sets no fixed discount and recommends no individual vehicle price. Consider condition, documented repairs, insurance terms and market context, supported by an independent inspection.
From a guide to the individual vehicle
Sources
- 21 Del. C. § 6309 — Dealer prohibited acts; brand disclosure
- 21 Del. C. §§ 2512, 2514, 2515 — Salvage, PREV TAXI, catalytic converters
- Delaware DMV — MV724 Dealer Disclosure Statement of Title Brand
- Delaware DMV — Owner Retained Salvage Vehicles
- Delaware DMV — Tips on Purchasing a Used Vehicle
- DMV — NMVTIS Title History Report (enlazado desde el DMV de Delaware / linked from Delaware DMV)
- NMVTIS — National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
- NICB — VINCheck
- NHTSA — Odometer Fraud
- FTC — Buying a Used Car From a Dealer
This guide informs; it is not legal or financial advice, nor an offer, quote or appraisal. Every figure carries its source and date; check it is still current before you decide.