Several years ago I was in a low-speed accident, (me stopped, other car doing around 25mph) that tore the front bumper and lower valance off, crunched a front fender and creased up the hood of my Honda van. The insurance company refused to repair it saying the repair costs exceeded it's value. As I wanted to keep the van, my only option was to buy it from myself on a salvage title. The next trick was finding a repair shop to work on it - the local dealers wouldn't touch a salvage title vehicle. The independent shop I found had experience working thru the official labyrinth of technicalities Ohio requires to repair and then re-title a salvage titled car. Every receipt, for every part had to be presented at the state inspection site, the car gone over thoroughly and of course...more fees paid. Fortunately the repair shop owner went with me to the inspection site and was able to provide all invoices and info to the inspector. It was an experience I would not seek to go thru again! Even longer ago I bought an antique truck in CA and sought to title it in OH. The car had to go to a local Dealer (glad the Pontiac brand still existed then...) where a Deputy Sheriff and a mechanic went over the truck comparing engine, transmission, frame, etc. numbers and then deeming it roadworthy. Again, a frustrating experience. My most recent experience went much smoother last year when I bought an '08 Element from a friend in IN. Only 3 trips to various BMV departments to get an OH title.
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