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It all depends on why it was totaled/reconstructed in the first place. Since cars are totaled when repair costs exceed 50-75% of the car's value (depending on what state you're in), an older car can be totaled for simply cosmetic reasons since they're worth less and easily totaled - even $2k in body work will total an otherwise mechanically sound older car like a '95 Volvo or Honda . Now a newer car that's been totaled is a problem since it could have sustained over $15k in damages and that's major. It all boils down to why it was totaled, are there before and after pictures and are the repairs top notch.

If it's been totaled due to flood damage RUN! These are problematic cars that are not easily restored and may have a lifetime of quirky electrical problems.

Buying a reconstructed car is no different than buying any used car. Do a Carfax, get a pre-purchase inspection, make sure the frame's straight and if it all checks out and you like the car buy it BUT don't pay more than 60% of the value of a comparable car with a clean title since that's all it's worth and plan on keeping it for a while to get your money's worth out of it since resale is harder. And contrary to all the bull you hear, you can get insurance on it from most companies but since it's worth less they will pay out less if it's totaled again or stolen so don't pay too much for it! I own a reconstructed car presently and it's the best car I've ever owned and I only paid $1800 for it and spent another $1000 to bring it up to top notch mechanical standards (major tune up, new belts and hoses, rear brakes). A great deal and it looks and drives fine with no problems at all, so if it's a good car that checks out I can think of no disadvantages to buying such a car!

Keep in mind this food for thought: an new car gets rear-ended and incurs $5000 in body damage. It gets to keep its clean title. A 10 yr old car with the same damage would be deemed totaled even though the damage is identical. A clean title, therefore does not mean an undamaged car.

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Q: Should you buy a car that had being a title reconstructed?
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