Anyone ever buy a rebuilt car?

themaxx · Aug 10, 2025

My kid is heading to university. I told him I'd match whatever he managed to save towards a car. Somehow, he's managed to save nearly $20K.
The vehicle he'd like to buy is a recent model Cadillac, low Km's and an excellent price....because its a rebuild.
I was hoping he'd go for something different, and $40k can get you a nice brand new vehicle, but he's become accustomed to Caddy's, as that what I mainly drive, and really would like this vehicle.
In Ontario, a vehicle must go through multiple inspections determining its safety and driveability to be rebranded as "Rebuilt" following an accident, We've checked out the vehicle and the dealer and all seems good.
So, does anyone here drive a "rebuild", and if so, any issues or advice?
Thanks

Trooperbrown · Aug 10, 2025

It's best to take the car and have an independent inspection completed.

A rebuild typically indicates that the vehicle was considered a total loss and had a salvage title. Get a Carfax report to find out what the insurance estimate was and where the damage occurred. Keep in mind that all provinces have different rules, so avoid dealing with anything outside of Ontario, as it may be difficult to get the complete picture

Additionally, ask the dealer if they have any pictures of the car before the repairs.

Finally, take it to a body shop you know and have the vehicle inspected.

themaxx · Aug 10, 2025

Trooperbrown said:
It's best to take the car and have an independent inspection completed.

A rebuild typically indicates that the vehicle was considered a total loss and had a salvage title. Get a Carfax report to find out what the insurance estimate was and where the damage occurred. Keep in mind that all provinces have different rules, so avoid dealing with anything outside of Ontario, as it may be difficult to get the complete picture

Additionally, ask the dealer if they have any pictures of the car before the repairs.

Finally, take it to a body shop you know and have the vehicle inspected.

Thanks, all thats already been done. Anything else? Have you ever purchased a rebuild?

Mandalorian · Aug 10, 2025

Personally I would never buy a rebuild. When the day comes to sell it, you’ll get next to nothing for the car and/or it will take forever to sell it because typically it’s a huge red flag. I learned that from experience, yes.

southpaw · Aug 10, 2025

I haven't, but someone I know did. It drove like shit. I remember because I drove it on multiple occasions. Driving it convinced me never to do a rebuild. Take what you will from that.

Ginomore · Aug 11, 2025

It makes no sense to spend that kind of money on a rebuild.
Just look for the same model with more kms or a couple years older with a clean title.

BigMz · Aug 11, 2025

So I have a mechanic buddy out in burlington and we've rebuilt/flipped a few cars. Did a couple of smarties which sold like hot-cakes, a volkswagen beetle, and even a corolla. I guess it depends on what you're using it for and who rebuilt it. If you plan on reselling it ever it's better to just buy used from a dealership, and if the builder doesn't have their own automotive business you should probably run in the opposite direction.

bazokajoe · Aug 11, 2025

Sell him your Caddy and you buy a new Caddy.

poorboy · Aug 12, 2025

Wouldn't do it under any circumstances.

Cadillac is a complicated car. You're just asking for trouble over the long run.

Your son is trying to buy an image, not transportation. $40,000 will easily buy a new vehicle, like a Hyundai Kona or Honda HR-V, which is all a student needs.

xix · Aug 12, 2025

@themaxx what did your kid do to save 20k?

@poorboy - I wouldn't buy a new car - maybe a 2 year old - because some jealous asshole at school will scratch it !! or worse, seen it in high school.

skinnyguy · Aug 12, 2025

Check with your insurance company as well … you may have trouble getting coverage on something with a rebuilt title.

richaceg · Aug 12, 2025

Apply what you learn here brother...if it's too good to be true, it probably is....

Ponderling · Aug 12, 2025

I am essentially driving a rebuild. \
My Chevy Volt was rear ended on the highway in 2019.
Back passenger quarter was quite smooshed.

The insurance adjuster could not beleive their system said rebuild it.
Cheaper than paying it out as a total loss.

They put me in a loaner for 7 weeks to get it done.
And in the end could not source one cosmetic panel.
I was fine with the area painted same as the rest of the car,

Car drives fine. No shakes, or squeaks.
Radio guts were in the corner that got shmucked.
Looks like they installed a factory or dealership model unit as a replacement.
No audio in jack working any more with the new radio.
And a couple of the buttons to control the infotainment display from the steering wheel buttons dont work like they are suppose to..

But because of the replaced radio, to this day I still have unlocked satellite radio and no bill for it.

Ceiling Cat · Aug 12, 2025

Except for family hand me downs in my early years I have always had new cars. These were the low end Honda Toyotas that were bullet proof reliable. The best thing for a kid going to school is not a fancy car to impress people. It is reliable trouble free transportation at a reasonable price and reasonable to insure.

rlnga · Aug 12, 2025

Just my two cents but $20k can get your son a used nice and reliable car. Even $30k can him something fun and not a rebuilt title

opieshuffle · Aug 13, 2025

Fuck me but what planet are you all living on that $40k on a rebuilt car is your thinking?!? Jesus... a two minute search on Autotrader for any Cadillac / within 50k of Toronto / top price of $40k yields 188 results! "A fool and his money..."

rlnga · Aug 13, 2025

opieshuffle said:
Fuck me but what planet are you all living on that $40k on a rebuilt car is your thinking?!? Jesus... a two minute search on Autotrader for any Cadillac / within 50k of Toronto / top price of $40k yields 188 results! "A fool and his money..."

Honestly. Buddy is asking if it’s a good idea to get his 18 year old son a $40k car with a rebuilt title for university.

tonnyandreti · Aug 13, 2025

1. Students don’t need a fancy car, they need something reliable and safe.

2. 40K for a rebuilt car is not a good idea IMO unless you have $$$ to burn.

opieshuffle · Aug 13, 2025

tonnyandreti said:
1. Students don’t need a fancy car, they need something reliable and safe.

2. 40K for a rebuilt car is not a good idea IMO unless you have $$$ to burn.

It's a great price if it's a $200k sports car you have the skills and experience to know what you're getting into. If you're asking if it's a good idea on this forum, the answer is an immediate "NO!"
My old man brain just goes to "...an 18 year old needs a Honda Civic they can kick the shit out of that get's them from point A to Point B, reliably!"

Now get off my lawn! (shakes fists at sky)

JackBurton · Aug 13, 2025

I have had both. A rebuilt is junk. Nothing but a money hole.

If your kid wants to throw 44k into a bottomless pit for the sense of style then let him. It will be a very important lesson in life when the repair bills come in. It’s a lesson that with every trip to the garage will remind him that he should have bought a new Corolla.

Let it play out and don’t “I told you so”. And FFS don’t bail him out. We all need to be humbled by shitboxes in our early adulthood. It makes you appreciate a good car even more once you get up to one.

Anyone ever buy a rebuilt car?

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