Anyone here have experience with branded titles?

Like the thread title says, I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with branded title vehicles. I know that some vehicles are branded because of something like hail damage, that doesn't impact much more than cosmetics and could even be repaired. Others, well IDK exactly what all kinds of things might be lurking under the surface.

I ask because I found this. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...imCode=TUNDRA|SR5&zip=82939&clickType=listing
I have garbage luck with used vehicles. I've never had a used vehicle that didn't become a headache within 50K miles, and most were way before then. I don't have much choice if I want to get back into a V8 Tundra, though. The thought of a branded title scares the shit out of me so I'm actively looking for clean titles, but damn it! That is a killer price on a truck that I'd never guess was branded if I saw it in a parking lot.

For those who have bought/worked on a branded rig;what kinds of things would you look for to see if it's a bad op?

 

https://en.bidfax.info/toyota/tundr...ed-2019-gray-57l-8-vin-5tfhy5f1xkx835252.html

Google the VIN

 

Came to post same link as above. That had pics of the damage. Passenger side impact.

 

Damn that was a lot of damage. Thank you!

 

Is branded and salvage title the same?

 

Well, there are couple things wrong with the ad:
The truck is Cement, not Magnetic Gray Metallic.
Also the interior isn't black, it is graphite which is a grey.

 

I wasn't sure so I searched it and got this.

 

Yeah, the first red flag was MGM

 

Color inaccuracies abound on the web. I think they use experimental monkeys to type in and select options, because finding an ad that is complete AND correct is next to impossible. That's why I skip ads without pics.

 

That's odd, all they have to do is run the VIN.
It took me 10 seconds..

I'd be curious about the branded title, the truck looks very clean in the pics...
I wonder why it's a branded title?

 

Keep that dealer in mind when shopping, looks like they flipped a wreck!

 

In AZ, they call them “restored” once they pass inspection and are let back on the road.

 

They are open about it. All they deal in are branded title vehicles.

 

Yeah, I knew it was Cement just looking at it. That's why I clicked it. I like Cement. MGM is.... bland.

 

Also, first reply I got has a link that shows the truck before they did repairs. It was pretty bad.

 

Damn it, I missed that..

 

My uncle used to make decent money buying cars at auction and getting them restored titled

 

@koditten has a lot of experience with rebuilt vehicles. That’s how he has purchased his last couple of tundras, but done the repair work himself. He might have some good input on that topic.

Personally, I avoid them. There are several outfits in the SLC area that you have been looking that sell them. Spanish Fork area, I think. Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many shady title washers to trust them. I looked at a sequoia in that area and it had suffered enough hail damage to be branded, but somehow didn’t have a branded title. Lots of other things wrong with the vehicle to suggest hail damage as the least of the issues. They had PDR’d most of it on the sides of the vehicle but didn’t bother touching the roof.

Every state has different rules about Branded/salvage titles. In SLC, the are somewhat lax so some dealers are super shady. A buddy of mine worked at an Audi dealership. The owners’ kid totaled an R8 joyriding; it had not yet been sold so it had not yet been titled, so it had no title to brand. They opted to fix it in house, off the books, after hours, and sold it as new.

 

I've owned my 2007 Tundra since 2010. It was a theft recovery and was heavily scratched up. Insurance already settled once it was recovered. Previous owner had it repainted and I picked it up cheap since he already bought a new vehicle. I have a 2013 highlander limited that also has a branded title. Had front end damage, all new fenders, hood, radiator and support. I inspected the repairs and guy was upfront with receipts. Runs great. You have to go into it knowing your insurance may not reimburse fully if in an accident and resale will take a hit.

 

I’ll be selling my 2019 Limited TRDOR CM 4x4 with topper bed rug and rack. In beautiful cement soon. 80k miles. Clear title. Well cared for.

 

Be sure you post it up on here. Somebody will love it.

I'm gunning for lower miles than that, personally. Also going for unmodified/no lift.

 

Zero lift. Only a color matched cap. TRD shifter. TRD center caps. Pretty much bone stock otherwise. It’s a Toyota. Isn’t even broken in yet.