Title Check: what a Indiana 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 Indiana
| 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 declared it uneconomical to repair, it was flood damaged, it already had a salvage title in another state, or it meets another cause in IC 9-13-2-160. It is required for cars from the last seven model years that were wrecked or damaged. In Indiana water damage falls here: no separate flood brand was found. A dealer cannot give it an interim plate. | It is a project, not an everyday car. Ask whether the damage was from water and pay only a project price. |
| Rebuilt | It was salvage and was restored. To get the Rebuilt brand, the owner files State Form 44606 with proof of purchase for every major part, and an Indiana police officer inspects the car, the parts and the paperwork (IC 9-22-3-15). | Can be a good buy if the repair was serious. Ask for copies of the parts receipts filed with the BMV, ask who signed State Form 44606, and have a mechanic you trust check the car. |
| Junk · Non-repairable · Scrap | Vehicles marked junk, non-repairable, scrap or similar cannot be titled in Indiana. They are for parts or scrap only. | Never as a road car. If someone offers it with a plate, walk away. |
| Manufacturer Buyback-Disclosure on File | The maker replaced or bought it back under the lemon law. The brand stays on the title for the life of the car. | Ask what the defect was and whether it was fixed. The first time a dealer resells it, the dealer must tell you in writing and give you a 12-month or 12,000-mile manufacturer warranty. |
The law protects you, if you use it
A dealer cannot sell a salvage or rebuilt car without telling you in writing before closing the sale if the dealer knows or should know (IC 9-32-13-6); the Secretary of State uses State Form 55974, signed by the dealer and the buyer. For a buyback, the dealer reselling it for the first time must tell you in writing at the time of sale. In a private sale, read the title and get a history report at VehicleHistory.gov.
How to review the title and available history
- VehicleHistory.gov (NMVTIS, sistema federal enlazado por el BMV y el Secretary of State): 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
- Indiana BMV — Special Titling Circumstances (salvage, salvage restoration)
- Indiana BMV — Salvage Motor Vehicle Title Application Checklist
- Indiana BMV — Salvage Motor Vehicle Restoration Title Application Checklist
- Indiana BMV — State Form 44606, Affidavit of Restoration for a Salvage Motor Vehicle
- Indiana Secretary of State — State Form 55974, Salvage or Rebuilt Vehicle Disclosure
- Indiana Attorney General — Indiana Lemon Law (buyback title brand)
- Indiana BMV — State Form 49891, Salvage Title Affidavit
- Official reference — forms.in.gov
- BMV — VehicleHistory.gov (NMVTIS, sistema federal enlazado por el BMV and el Secretary of State)
- 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.