Title Check: what a Florida 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 Florida
| 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 | Total loss: an insurer paid to replace the car (or paid after a theft), or, with no insurance, repairs cost 80% or more of replacing it (§ 319.30(3)(a)). It cannot be driven or registered until rebuilt and inspected. | Not a car to drive; a project. Only at a project price. |
| Rebuilt | It was salvage, was repaired and passed the FLHSMV inspection. The title is stamped "rebuilt and may have previously been declared a total loss vehicle due to damage" and gets a decal. Removing that decal to hide it is a felony (§ 319.14(7)). | Can be a good buy if the repair was serious. Demand parts receipts and photos of the original damage; the rebuilder had to file them (TL-37). |
| Flood | Declared a total loss due to water damage (§ 319.14(1)(c)8). Water inside a modern car destroys wiring, modules and airbags progressively. | For most buyers: no. If you still consider it, a full electrical inspection. |
| Certificate of destruction | Damage estimated at 90% or more of value ("late model" vehicle — model year 7 years or newer — worth at least $7,500). The state will not issue a title again: parts or scrap only (§ 319.30(3)(c)). | Never as a road car. If someone offers it with a plate, it is illegal. |
| Manufacturer's Buy Back | The maker bought it back under the lemon law (chapter 681). It had a defect they could not fix in a reasonable number of attempts. | Ask what the defect was and whether it was corrected. The maker must disclose it in writing. |
| Taxi · Police · Short-term lease | Prior use as a taxi, police vehicle or short-term rental. A lot of use in few years. | Price by real use, not by model year. |
| Assembled from parts · Kit · Replica · Custom · Street rod | It did not leave the factory this way. It may be well built, but it is not the catalog car. | Different value and insurance. Confirm with your insurer first. |
The law protects you, if you use it
Any seller, dealer or private party, must tell you in writing and before closing the sale whether the car is rebuilt, flood, assembled from parts, kit, replica, custom, street rod, buyback, or was a taxi, police or rental vehicle (§ 319.14(2)). Listings must say it too (§ 319.14(3)). Selling while hiding it is a misdemeanor; removing the rebuilt decal is a felony.
How to review the title and available history
- Motor Vehicle Information Check: 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
- Florida Statutes § 319.14 — Sale of vehicles with prior use or condition (2026)
- Florida Statutes § 319.30 — Salvage, total loss, certificate of destruction (2026)
- FLHSMV procedure TL-37 — Rebuilt vehicle inspections
- FLHSMV — Consumer advisory: flooded vehicles
- FLHSMV — Motor Vehicle Information Check
- 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.