“Water damage” and “flood” are not always the same brand. Some states distinguish them; sellers blur them. Pull NMVTIS, both history reports, and read the issuing state’s definition — Texas has its own nuance.
"Cosmetic salvage" is seller talk — history reports and title brands do not grade “just paint.” Structural/frame notes and salvage brands need PPI reality, not Marketplace captions.
Many states brand salvage when repairs hit about 75% of ACV — but thresholds range from ~60% to 100% or use a total-loss formula. Never assume “75%” is nationwide law.
Recovered-theft / theft-recovery brands mean the car was stolen, found, and often insurance-processed — not a clean slate. Check NMVTIS, reports, and insurer/lender appetite before you buy.
A dismantled title brand usually means the vehicle was taken apart for parts — closer to junk/nonrepairable than to salvage→rebuilt. Read the brand string and NMVTIS before you bid on a “project.”
A certificate of destruction (COD) marks a vehicle as junk/non-repairable for parts or scrap — not a salvage→rebuilt commute lane. Match NMVTIS brand language before you bid.
Hurricane Milton (Oct 2024) flooded an estimated ~120k vehicles in Florida per CARFAX/industry tallies — FLHSMV salvage-flood branding, NHTSA guidance, and moisture PPIs still beat “never flooded” speeches in 2026 inventory.
A bonded (bond) title is a surety-backed ownership path when the regular title is missing or ownership is unclear — not a rebuilt brand and not a free upgrade. Brands, bond terms, and claim risks vary by state.
Many big banks skip rebuilt-title collateral; credit unions and specialty lenders may price higher LTV limits and demand full coverage proof. Confirm lender + insurer before you fall in love with the discount.
A salvage certificate and a salvage title are not interchangeable stickers — one often blocks road use until converted, the other may be a branded negotiable title. State labels differ; NMVTIS brand reads still matter.
