Accidents do happen and sometimes the vehicles are taken off the road by your insurance company. When this happens, some cars are still salvaged. When a vehicle is repaired to road worthy condition it can be registered, again, and driven in Arkansas.

If you buy a salvaged vehicle you may get a good price because it has been in an accident. However, you need to be sure you can title and register the vehicle before you complete the bill of sale. Or, at least put that as a requirement in the bill of sale.

Registering a Salvaged Vehicle

The challenge you need to overcome is proving that the salvaged vehicle is yours. Because ownership is required before you register, you need to show the Office of Motor Vehicles that you rightfully own the vehicle and all of the repair parts.

The OMV asks for an affidavit of reconstruction. In order to complete the form in full, you'll need to have good records on the repairs and parts used to reconstruct your salvaged vehicle.

If your salvaged vehicle was involved in an accident, the OMV may be able to verify that through the accident records. When the insurance is cancelled on a vehicle, as was likely on your damaged vehicle, then the OMV is notified. Again, there is a vehicle history to help support your ownership claim.

After the vehicle is registered and wearing a new set of license plates, you should not have any further challenges. Renewing your salvaged vehicle is just like any other car renewal.

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