Salvage Title Check by Chassis Number
A salvage title means an insurer previously declared the vehicle a total loss. For Chinese vehicles (chassis numbers starting with L), a chassis-number check tells you whether that history is attached to the car you're looking at.
Have the chassis number? Run a free chassis number check to decode it now, or get the full vehicle history report from China Vehicle History.
What "salvage" and "rebuilt" titles mean
A salvage title is issued when repair costs exceed a set share of a vehicle's value after an accident, flood, or theft recovery. A rebuilt title means the vehicle was repaired and passed inspection to return to the road — but the salvage history still follows the chassis number.
How to check for salvage history by chassis number
Enter the 17-character chassis number to get a free preview that confirms the brand, model and year. The Standard and Premium reports add the vehicle title section, which shows salvage, rebuilt and theft records tied to that chassis number. Run it before you commit to shipping or paying an import seller, since title status on Chinese imports isn't always disclosed upfront.
Red flags to watch for
Mismatched panel gaps, fresh paint over structural areas, and a seller unwilling to share the chassis number are all signs worth a closer look. If the price is meaningfully below market for the year and mileage, treat that as a reason to check history, not skip it.
FAQ
Can a salvage title be hidden when a car is exported?
Paperwork can be reissued in a new country, but the salvage record stays tied to the chassis number in the source market. A chassis-number history check is the most reliable way to confirm it.
Which report shows salvage and theft records?
The free preview confirms the vehicle's identity. Title records — salvage, rebuilt and theft — are part of the Standard and Premium reports.
Verify before you buy
Decode the chassis number free, then unlock the full vehicle history report for accident, mileage, and China registry records.
Get the full history report →