What title status is given to a recovered theft vehicle if repairs are equal to or exceed the replacement value?

A recovered theft vehicle that has undergone repairs equal to or exceeding its replacement value is assigned a salvage title. This designation indicates that the vehicle has been previously declared a total loss due to theft or damage, but has been retrieved and repaired. The salvage title serves as a key piece of information for prospective buyers or owners, alerting them to the vehicle's past status and the extent of repairs undertaken.

A salvage title also comes into play in various legal and insurance contexts, since it provides transparency regarding the vehicle's history. Insurance companies generally classify vehicles with salvage titles because of their previous damages, which could impact coverage options in the future.

On the other hand, an unbranded title refers to a vehicle without any notable brand or title history indicating damage or salvage status, while an original title signifies that the vehicle has never been reported as a total loss or salvage. A repaired title, while it suggests that previous damages have been addressed, does not specifically clarify the nature of those repairs or the vehicle's history effectively compared to a salvage title.