Have run into a situation with a VIN tag. Researching it comes back as “Branded.” What does this mean? Correctable?
I think I’m finding it doesn’t mean anything more than an “antique” vehicle. More than 50 years old.
In some or most States, ‘Branded’ means salvage title.
1 Like
I’d do a good inspection of the car. It may have been totaled by an insurance company, But that may not be real bad. If the car was say 20-25 years old it may have only been worth a few thousand dollars. I minor fender bender would have put it over the value threshold, but well within the cost of an owner doing the rebuild them self. It may mean something else too.
1 Like
Probably the best thing to do would be to go onto the DMV website of whatever state says that the VIN is branded and see how that state defines the term.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
It could mean several things as mentioned I would go to the DMV and ask.
Most likely a salvage vehicle, the vin number has been branded to make sure the information about the salvage follows the vehicle not just the paperwork.
Ironically it was listed in Pennsylvania, under the Branded stamp. To them, its only a vehicle that is more than 50 years old; an antique. (Should I be the same? Lol)
Looking at Pennsylvania DOT and titling. They use form MV-426B for branded titles on vehicles that were reconstructed, specially constructed, collectible, modified, flood, recovered theft vehicles and street rods. They define “collectible” as reconstructed highly modified (show car). Pennsylvania offers “Collectible” plates along with “Antique” (25 years plus) and “Classic” (15 years plus) which just require a “clear” title. So a Pennsylvania branded title means something went on perhaps a modification, theft, or whatever. Age of the vehicle not a factor. Effect on vehicle value-who knows? On an older vehicle like a Cougar condition probably a bigger factor especially on a “driver”.
Branded now means it could be multiple different things. Salvage, reconstructed, cosmetic total loss, water damage, hail damage etc. I have even seem some states have a buyer back brand meaning the dealer bought it back to avoid lemon law.
Some states have different wording meaning the same thing. Take maryland for example. X salvage, rebuilt and reconstruct all mean the same thing.
Best bet, plug your vin into a NMVTIS registration to see the national data. Human error can miss the brand coming into a state, but if it was once in the nmvtis register, it should always be there
You may want to check the DMV website for the state that added the brand to the title. It might tell you why it is “branded”. It might not be a significant issue.
Checked with Pennsylvania DMV. They have it “Branded” as being an Antique - over 50 years old. This was in 2018. Pretty stupid if you ask me. I said that and she just laughed: Yah, we get that comment a bit with the old car people.
1 Like