Thousands of drivers in Missouri could be driving cars right now that have been previously totaled in an accident – and never even know it. That’s because current law says if the car is more than six years old – the title does not have to be stamped as salvage. This week, a proposed new law that would change that- S-B 369 – is expected to get a hearing in the state Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. Jason Levine with the Center for Auto Safety says drivers have a right to know what they’re buying no matter how many years the vehicle has been on the road.
S-B 369 would remove the age limit on salvage vehicles so any car that has been totaled will forever have “salvage” on its title. Levine says some salvage cars can be repaired so they are safe to drive – but many can have invisible damage to the sensors and rot from the inside out. Opponents of the bill say consumers already can get the necessary information with a title search and note that the change could hurt sales of pre-owned cars.