A lot of Nigerians importing cars from American auctions are unknowingly buying what is essentially automobile waste. That cheap Copart or IAAI deal may not be the bargain you think it is. Before you bid, understand these title brands: Clean Title: Generally means the vehicle has not been declared a total loss by an insurance company and has no salvage or other major branded title. However, a clean title is not an absolute guarantee that the car has never been damaged. Some accidents and flood-damaged vehicles can slip through without a branded title. Salvage Title: Usually means repair costs exceeded about 75% of the vehicle’s pre-damage value. The threshold varies by state. Junk Title: Generally means the vehicle is considered beyond economical repair, unsafe for road use, or permanently ineligible for retitling. Some states use “junk” and “salvage” interchangeably. Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title: A previously salvaged vehicle that has been repaired and restored to road use. It may have suffered severe damage, and refurbished or aftermarket parts are often used. “Rebuilt” does not mean “as good as new.” Fire Damage Title: The vehicle sustained major fire damage. Electrical and mechanical problems may be extensive and difficult to detect. Flood Damage Title: The vehicle suffered flooding or serious water damage. Corrosion, electrical faults, mold, and transmission problems can show up months after purchase. Hail Damage Title: The vehicle sustained significant hail damage. Sometimes cosmetic, sometimes more serious. Manufacturer Buyback/Lemon Title: The manufacturer repurchased the vehicle because of recurring defects or other qualifying problems. A car that looks cheap at auction may be cheap for a very good reason. Some vehicles are damaged beyond sensible repair, some cannot be legally retitled in certain states, and others may look fine after repairs while hiding serious structural, electrical, or flood damage. Before sending money to an auction agent or importer, inspect the title brand, auction photos, damage description, VIN history, and repair history. Do not let anyone convince you that “na just small damage” when the title says otherwise. You may think you are importing a car, but you could actually be importing someone else’s insurance write-off. Do your homework before you bid.