When shopping for a used vehicle, you may come across the term “orange title.” This phrase typically refers to a salvage title, and the “orange” part relates to the color of the physical title document in some U.S. states. Although not all states use color-coded titles, several do, and orange is commonly associated with vehicles that have suffered significant damage or loss history.
A salvage title is issued by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency when a vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company. This usually happens when the cost to repair a car exceeds its market value. Common causes include serious accidents, flood damage, fire, vandalism, or theft recovery. Once a car receives a salvage title, it is no longer considered roadworthy unless it undergoes specific inspections and is rebranded as a “rebuilt” vehicle. The reason the term “orange title” exists is because some states actually print these titles on orange-colored paper to signal the salvage status visually. For instance, Florida uses an orange background for salvage vehicles and gray for rebuilt ones. Similarly, Georgia and South Carolina have been known to use orange or pink hues to indicate salvage or rebuilt history. North Carolina and Texas have also historically used orange tones or borders on salvage titles. This color-coded system helps buyers and dealers quickly identify the condition and history of a vehicle just by looking at the document.
However, not every state follows this color system. In many states, a salvage or rebuilt title looks similar to a clean title but will be clearly marked with terms like “SALVAGE,” “REBUILT,” or “BRANDED.” It's important not to rely solely on the color of a title when evaluating a vehicle’s history—always review the actual status and any remarks printed on the title itself. Vehicles with salvage titles are significantly less valuable than their clean-title counterparts, even after repairs. This is because they carry permanent branding on their title records, which can affect insurability, resale value, and safety concerns. Some buyers specifically seek out salvage vehicles for their lower upfront cost, but these cars should be inspected thoroughly before purchase.
Reputable buyers like Car Buyer USA openly acknowledge their involvement in purchasing salvage or branded-title vehicles. According to their website, we buy vehicles with various title conditions, including salvage, rebuilt, and even those with a theft recovery history. This transparency can be helpful for sellers who aren’t sure how to offload a car with title complications.
If you’re considering buying or selling a vehicle with an orange title, it’s essential to understand the implications. The vehicle’s history will follow it forever, affecting how it’s perceived by future buyers, insurers, and lenders. Always verify the status with the issuing DMV and consider running a VIN history report to confirm the details. In short, an “orange title” is not a universal term, but it commonly points to a salvage vehicle. Know what you're getting into, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions based on the title status, regardless of its color.
