Title Check: what a Idaho 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 Idaho
| 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 | An insurer paid it as a total loss, or repairing it (parts and labor minus salvage value) was not economical (§ 49-123(2)(o)). Idaho uses no fixed percentage. It gets a salvage document instead of a title and cannot be registered until it is repaired and a new title is applied for. | Not a car to drive; a project. Only at a project price. |
| Rebuilt Salvage | It was salvage and was repaired with like make and model parts so it looks as originally built (§ 49-123(2)(m)). The brand appears under "Other Pertinent Data" on the title and stays for the life of the vehicle. | Can be a good buy if the repair was serious. Ask for parts receipts, photos of the original damage and an independent mechanical inspection. |
| Theft Recovery | An insurer paid a theft claim, the car was recovered and was not damaged enough to be salvage (§ 49-524(11)). The title carries the note "Theft Recovery". | Check the ignition, locks, VIN and replaced parts. Ask the seller for the history. |
| Returned to manufacturer (Lemon Law) | The maker bought the car back under the lemon law. To resell it, the maker must give you a separate sheet, in 10-point ALL CAPITAL type, saying it was returned for a defect, plus the same written warranty the first owner had — but only for 12,000 miles or 12 months from the resale, whichever comes first (§ 48-905(1)). If the defect was an unrepaired total brake or steering failure, it cannot be resold in Idaho. | Ask for that sheet and ask what the defect was and how it was fixed. |
| Marca de otro estado | ITD’s salvage guidance describes a Rebuilt Salvage or comparable carried-forward brand when an Idaho-titled vehicle becomes salvage elsewhere and returns. Confirm other out-of-state cases with ITD; the guidance’s cited rule chapter has not been reconciled with current rules. | Run the VIN through NMVTIS before you pay. |
The law protects you, if you use it
A person who sells a car that was a total loss without telling the buyer, or without surrendering the title and getting the salvage document, commits a misdemeanor: up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine or both (§ 49-524(8)). A lemon law buyback is sold with a separate written notice (§ 48-905). Lying about use or mileage is a deceptive practice (§ 48-603(14)).
How to review the title and available history
- Check Title Status (ITD DMV Online): 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
- Idaho Code § 49-524 — Salvage vehicles
- Idaho Code § 49-123 — Definitions (rebuilt salvage, salvage, total loss)
- ITD DMV — Salvage vehicles
- Idaho Code § 48-905 — Resale of returned motor vehicle
- Idaho Code § 48-603 — Unfair methods and practices
- Official reference — itd.idaho.gov
- Official reference — itd.idaho.gov
- ITD DMV — Check Title Status (ITD DMV Online)
- 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.