How to Get a Rebuilt Title in Massachusetts

Massachusetts will issue a rebuilt title after an inspection and a $75 fee.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
background
A rebuilt title in
Massachusetts
is relatively easy to get. You’ll have to get your car to pass an inspection, get it titled, and pay a fee to the Massachusetts DMV (RMV).
Most totaled cars go to the junkyard. Insurance companies generally write these off and the salvage yard will harvest any usable parts before sending it to the car crusher. A rebuilt title is a totaled car’s second chance.
In order to rebuild your totaled car or purchase a car with a salvaged title in Massachusetts, you’re going to need a rebuilt title before you can take it on the road.
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What is a rebuilt title?

A
rebuilt title
is a guarantee that a car is safe to drive after an insurance company has declared it a total loss.
Rebuilt titles in Massachusetts come from salvage titles, which mean the car is totaled and unsafe to drive, but has the potential to be safely repaired. If you or a mechanic make the necessary repairs, a
salvage title can be removed
.

Does my car need a rebuilt title?

It’s possible to sell a car with a
salvage rebuilt title
, but it is difficult. A once-totaled car will be easier to sell—and safe to drive—with a rebuilt title. Experts generally advise buyers not to purchase cars with salvage titles.
Rebuilt titles don’t eliminate any history of damage or risk, but they mean a licensed inspector has certified the car, signalling that it's recently been completely repaired and now safe to drive. Rebuilt titles are necessary for safely and legally driving cars that were previously salvaged.

How to get a rebuilt title in Massachusetts

It’s pretty simple to get a rebuilt title in Massachusetts. You’ll need to go to the RMV in person, pay a $75 fee, and bring the necessary documents with you.

Apply for the salvage title 

There are four types of titles for cars deemed salvage in Massachusetts. The title you need to obtain a rebuilt title is a salvage repairable title. The insurance company or owner must apply for this title after a vehicle has been declared a
total loss
.
A salvage repairable title means that despite the total loss, it is possible for the car to be repaired to meet 100% of the safety standards.

Make the necessary repairs to your vehicle

When you’ve got your salvage repairable title in hand, you or a licensed mechanic can start repairing the vehicle. After the repairs are completed, your car will need to pass
an inspection
. Apply for the inspection through the RMV and pay the $50 fee.

Essential documents for a rebuilt Massachusetts title

You will need to apply for a rebuilt title in person at a
RMV service center
and bring the following documents:
 The RMV will process your application and send you the rebuilt title by mail.

How long does a rebuilt title take in Massachusetts?

The processing time for a rebuilt title in Massachusetts takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Finding cheap car insurance in Massachusetts

Whether you have a
clean title
or rebuilt, the same
Massachusetts minimum car insurance laws
apply.
But you won’t have to wait much longer for affordable
car insurance
once you’ve received your rebuilt title—it takes just a few minutes with Jerry.
Now that your vehicle is certified safe to drive, download the
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app. It only takes a couple minutes to start a search, and from there it only takes 45 seconds for Jerry to find the best
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FAQs

Always use caution when purchasing vehicles with rebuilt titles. Sometimes these cars are hiding mechanical issues—but sometimes they’re 100% legit, and you’re getting a sweet deal.
After the cost of repairs and an inspection, a rebuilt title in Massachusetts only costs $75.
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