Federal and local agencies
AutoCheck gets data from agencies such as National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local agencies like police departments.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Excluded / Exempt
States may exempt the requirement to report mileage on the title (normal/mandatory odometer law) for the following reasons:
Vehicle model year is 10 years or older
Gross weight of vehicle over 16000 lbs.
Vehicle is titled to the manufacturer

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Corrected Title
The State DMV has issued a corrected title for the vehicle. Corrected title is defined differently depending on the state. In some states, a corrected title will be issued for removing or adding an owner’s name due to divorce, death or marriage. In other states, details about the vehicle, such as incorrect odometer readings, can result in a corrected title being issued. A corrected title can also be issued when a lien is placed on the vehicle’s title.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Salvage Auction
An auction has reported the vehicle as a salvaged vehicle. The extent of damage is unknown, and the vehicle may or may not be severely damaged.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Salvaged
A salvage vehicle is a vehicle that has been wrecked or damaged beyond repair; declared a total loss by the insurer; or declared a total loss by reason of theft. When an insurance company as a result of a total loss settlement acquires a vehicle, the insurance company must apply for a Salvage Certificate. If the owner retains possession of a salvage vehicle, the owner must obtain a Salvage Certificate before receiving a total loss statement from the insurance company.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Storm Area Registration/Title
Storm registration/title refers to information reported to us that a vehicle was registered or titled prior to the storm event in a FEMA designated storm damaged area. Storm events can include hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters. While a vehicle may have been reported as titled or registered in an affected area, it may not have been damaged by the storm, or it may have been moved to safety during the storm. We recommend a thorough professional inspection of the vehicle to confirm no storm damage.
http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Suspect Miles
The state or other authorized officials have identified that the vehicle's mileage is suspect due to odometer tampering or other incidents.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Theft
The vehicle was stolen from its legal owner. A single theft can be reported to AutoCheck by different sources including state agencies, DMV’s and insurance companies.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Theft Insurance Claim
An insurance claim was filed because the vehicle was stolen.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Title
The vehicle had a title event reported by the state DMV. A title is official proof of ownership. A title is used to transfer a vehicle to another owner.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Vehicle Age
The age of the vehicle as calculated from the VIN.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Vehicle Imported From Canada to US
The vehicle has been imported from Canada to the United States.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Water Damage

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A vehicle that has been damaged by water or in a flood. Any vehicle title issued to an insurance company due to payment of a claim for flood damage sustained. If issued to a licensed rebuilder, who possesses or acquires a vehicle that is designated as, or for which there is evidence or information of, a "flood vehicle" has been provided, the vehicle is considered a salvage vehicle and designated as such on an Application for Salvage Certificate in an insurance company or licensee's name.

http://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/autocheck/en/glossary

Clear Title
A vehicle with a "clear" title is one that has not been damaged beyond repair, and has no liens placed on it. When buying a car, this is the type of title that is most desired, and often times the only type of title that is eligible for vehicle financing.

Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title
This type of title is issued to salvaged vehicles that have been successfully repaired to full operation and safety. These titles may still be called salvage titles in some states, and require an extensive inspection before they can be considered safe and allowed to return to the road.

Dismantled Title
Dismantled titles are issued to vehicles that have sustained severe damage to major component parts with cost of repair exceeding the value of the vehicle. This is similar to a salvage title, but vehicles given dismantled titles may only be used for parts and scrap metal and cannot be repaired for road use.

Junk Title
Junk titles are similar to salvage titles in that they are issued once a vehicle suffers damage exceeding 75 percent of the vehicle's value. Vehicles that are given this title are not eligible for road use. Some states consider junk and salvage titles as one in the same.

There are also other title brands, like "Flood Vehicle." Which is pretty much what you would guess. The key is to know what the clean title looks like in your state. Then, when you are car shopping, ask to see the title to the car you are buying before you agree on a price or agree to buy the car. Watch it as it is filled out and only hand over your cash when you see that the title process appears to be on the up and up. If someone presents you with a car title and it is branded in some odd way you have not heard of and not mentioned here? Run. Or call someone you trust who knows about car titles and ask. I get too many of these calls from people who have bought a car and did not see the title until later. And are just finding out that their car, which will not go in a straight line, is "Rebuilt Salvage".

Repairable -A Repairable Salvage Title is issued to a vehicle that has been declared a total loss, but can be repaired. This title type requires at least one sub-brand of collision, theft, fire, vandalism, salt, flood, or other.

Parts Only - A Parts-Only Title is issued to a vehicle that has been declared a total loss and also un-repairable due to extensive damage. The vehicle can never be re-titled or registered in Massachusetts. A Parts-Only Title does not require a sub-brand.

Recovered Theft

A Recovered Theft Title is issued to a vehicle previously titled as Salvage-Repairable with a theft sub-brand. These vehicles must have minimal damage. This title always requires the sub-brand of theft and may also have other sub-brands (if applicable).

Owner-Retained

An Owner-Retained Title is issued when an insurance company deems a vehicle to be a total loss and the owner chooses to retain possession of the vehicle. The vehicle must have an active registration and be capable of being legally driven.

Memorandum

A Memorandum Title is a non-negotiable title issued when a vehicle is brought from out-of-state to Massachusetts, has a lien, and the lienholder is in possession of the out-of-state title. A Memorandum Title is not transferable unless accompanied by the out-of-state title.

Certificate of origin – This is the first title document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to the franchised dealer where the vehicle was delivered to. This document is used to transfer the vehicle to the first owner, and obtain title.

Manufacturer’s statement of origin – This is similar to a certificate of origin used by some vehicle manufacturers import or domestic.

Salvage title – When a vehicle incurs some type of loss event such as major damage, theft, or repair, the title may be designated as a salvage title. The decision to place a title in salvage status is normally made by the insurance company who pays a claim on the vehicle. In some states there are statutory regulations which require an insurer to brand a vehicle with a salvage title. An example may be that a vehicle incurred damage more than 60% of its value. However, an insurance company can decide to place a salvage title brand on any vehicle it decides to, even if there is little or no damage. A salvage title, junk title, rebuilt title, or certificate of destruction are almost always permanent brands on the title which cannot be removed. In rare cases a very complex and expensive process of reconstructing the vehicle and inspection may upgrade a branded title status, but it typically involves more expense than the vehicle is worth.

Bonded title – Obtaining a vehicle title when there is serious deficiency in the ownership documentation can sometimes be done using a bonded title. In this process a security bond is purchased equalling the amount of the value of the vehicle. This bond covers any future claims in the event that a valid claim to the vehicle comes forward in the future. The bond is used to pay to remove the claim of ownership or lien. The bonded title will have “Bonded” stamp in it for a period of 3 to 5 years. In many cases the bonded title is more expensive than other title recovery options, but may be a last resort when other methods are not possible. Contact us to determine if a bonded title or other option is most beneficial.

Affidavit title – A title may be issued under an affidavit in lieu of other missing documentation.

Parts only title – A parts only designation is typically found on a bill of sale or transfer form, not on a title. However, if a parts only bill of sale is submitted for vehicle title processing, the title may be issued with a salvage brand or other cloud on title.

Lienholder title – A vehicle with a lien or title loan may have a title issued directly to the lienholder. The purchaser will be listed as the owner, but the title will list the lender as lien holder, and the lender will retain possession of the title.

Export title – A vehicle being exported will likely need title documentation for customs clearance. If the vehicle is not declared at the exit point, clear title may not be possible in the destination country. Start the title process early so that port storage fees do not accumulate while waiting for title.

Import title – A vehicle being imported to the US must have legal title to clear customs. If the vehicle was previously titled in the US this is a vehicle title recovery process only. If the vehicle was not originally manufactured for the US market, there are requirements for certifying that the vehicle is legal for use in the United States. The Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other agencies will need to verify that the vehicle is meets standards for emissions, safety, bumper height, and other guidelines prior to entering the country.