Wife and I are still on the hunt for a new vehicle. I got on a used car kick and found a car somewhat local to us that looks like a great buy/value. Used car dealer was very upfront and said it has a salvage/rebuilt title. He also told me they bought it at auction.
I got the VIN and ran a Carfax.
In May of ‘23 the Vehicle was declared a total loss and specifies “non-collision damage reported.â€
On the next line (3 days later) it shows that this vehicle was declared a “biohazard vehicle†and has minor damage to the front, front left, and front right of the vehicle.
Now I understand what biohazard means. Intuitively I would think the most obvious answer is that a head on collision resulted in someone’s death. However it specifies there was no collision and I’d expect there to be treated damage from something like that.
The dealer says he believes there was an attempted theft on the vehicle and that they had to get a new key for it. My own research also shows that theft can result in a total loss by ins companies. However he said it was not rebuilt and all parts are original.
I’ve been on the phone this morning with a patient who used to buy salvaged vehicles and rebuild them for his family’s use. I’m aware that NYS DMV will require its own inspection for a salvage/rebuilt title to ensure no theft.
My big question is if any Ins adjusters or anyone else can surmise as to why a total loss would be declared with no collision but minor damage to the front.
Murder or suicide inside the vehicle? And the minor cosmetic damage is just coincidence? Car was stolen and a junkie shot up in there and got some blood on the seats? Or took a shit?
I’ve got service records and will call those dealers to see if they would know anything but I understand that might be a long shot.
I’m invested in this now!