How a salvage car earns its way back onto the road, and what to know before buying one.
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A rebuilt title (also called a reconstructed title) is issued once a salvage-branded vehicle has been repaired and passed the inspection required to make it road-legal again. It's the state's way of saying: this car was once a total loss, but it's since been fixed and verified safe to drive.
The exact process varies by state, but generally involves repairing the vehicle to a safe, functional condition, then submitting it (along with receipts for major parts and repair documentation) for a physical inspection -- checking things like the VIN, frame integrity, airbags, and that the odometer hasn't been tampered with. Once it passes, the DMV reissues the title with the "rebuilt" brand permanently attached.
A clean title means the vehicle has never been declared a total loss. A salvage title means it has been, and hasn't been repaired/re-certified yet -- it generally can't be driven. A rebuilt title sits in between: it was salvage, but has since been repaired and inspected, so it's legal to drive and insure, though the "rebuilt" brand stays on the title permanently and typically must be disclosed at resale.
Most major insurers will write liability coverage on a rebuilt title car, though full coverage (comprehensive/collision) can be harder to find and may cost more, since insurers price in the vehicle's history. Financing is more limited too -- some lenders won't touch a rebuilt title at all, while others offer loans at a somewhat higher rate. It's worth shopping around and getting pre-approved before you commit to a specific car.
Ask for documentation of the repair work and the state inspection report. Pull a vehicle history report to see what caused the total loss in the first place. And whenever possible, have an independent mechanic check the repair quality, especially frame alignment and safety systems like airbags -- a well-repaired rebuilt title car can be just as safe and reliable as a clean-title one, but the quality of the repair is what actually determines that, not the brand on the title alone.