Salvage, rebuilt and irreparable: Ontario vehicle brands explained
Only cars branded None or Rebuilt can be driven in Ontario. Salvage can be repaired but must pass a structural inspection to become Rebuilt. Irreparable is parts only, forever. A brand of None doesn't prove the car was never badly damaged, especially if it came from outside Ontario.
The four brands
| Brand | Meaning | Can it be driven? |
|---|---|---|
| None | No brand on Ontario's record. | Yes |
| Salvage | Badly damaged but repairable. | No, until rebuilt and inspected |
| Rebuilt | Was salvage, repaired, and passed a structural inspection. | Yes, with a safety certificate |
| Irreparable | Parts or scrap only. | Never |
From salvage to rebuilt
A salvage car has to be repaired and then pass a structural inspection at a specially licensed inspection centre. With the Structural Inspection Certificate submitted to ServiceOntario, the brand changes to Rebuilt. It then needs a Safety Standards Certificate before it can be plated. Rebuilt cars coming from other provinces are downgraded to Salvage when registered in Ontario and need the structural inspection again.
Check the VIN on the car you're looking at
See where it was built and its model year, then check its title history for salvage, flood, odometer and theft records.
Buying a rebuilt car
A rebuilt car can be a reasonable buy if the price reflects it and the repair was done properly. Before you do:
- Ask for the repair records and photos, and the Structural Inspection Certificate.
- Get an independent inspection, ideally at a body shop that can check the frame.
- Call your insurer first. Coverage and price can differ for rebuilt cars.
- Expect a lower resale value when you sell it.
Why "None" isn't a clean bill of health
Ontario's own branding page notes that a brand of None doesn't mean the car was never damaged. It may have been branded somewhere else, damaged before Ontario's branding program started in 2003, or damaged below the branding threshold. That's the gap a VIN history report covers, especially for cars that came from the US.
Questions
Can I drive a salvage car in Ontario?
No. It can be towed for repairs and inspection, but it has to become Rebuilt before it can be driven.
Is a rebuilt car safe?
It passed a structural inspection when it was rebuilt. Have your own mechanic check it, and price it below a comparable car with no brand.
Where do I see a car's brand?
On the UVIP and the vehicle permit. For history outside Ontario, check the VIN.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on a detail.