Salvage vehicle guides
Each province’s and state’s brands, how a salvage vehicle becomes rebuilt, buying without a dealer license, and selling or keeping a totaled car. Each guide lists its sources.
Buying across borders
Buying a vehicle in one country and bringing it into another: what each border asks for, and where to check. DNF arranges no transport and no customs.
Buying a salvage vehicle across the border: Canada, the US and beyond
What changes when the vehicle is in another country: who arranges what, the three directions, duties and tariffs, converted prices and the checks to make before you buy.
4 minute read
Buying a salvage vehicle in the US for Canada
Whether a US vehicle can come into Canada, which US brands Canada accepts and refuses, leaving the US, the Canadian border, the RIV inspection and registering it in your province.
5 minute read
Buying a salvage vehicle in Canada for the US
Bringing a Canadian vehicle into the US: the 25-year rule, the US-label and manufacturer-letter routes, why salvage and rebuilt vehicles can't use the letter, EPA rules, entry and duties.
4 minute read
Taking a salvage vehicle from Canada or the US to another country
Exporting a vehicle bought on DNF to a country other than Canada or the US: why the destination's rules decide, the steps out of the US and Canada, and who arranges the shipping.
2 minute read
Canada
The United States
Articles
What the DNF Score means, and what it doesn't
How the 0 to 100 Score on every listing is worked out, what its four bands mean, why some vehicles can never score high, and how sellers can raise theirs.
5 minute read
How to photograph damage for a salvage vehicle listing
The photos buyers of damaged vehicles look for, how to show hail dents, collision damage and the interior clearly, and what to keep out of your pictures.
5 minute read
ADAS scanning versus calibration: which records should a buyer request?
Compare scan reports, calibration records and invoices after collision work, using a document worksheet that keeps vehicle-specific requirements and gaps visible.
4 minute read
Damaged aluminum bodywork: questions about repair capability
Use a model-specific OEM source dossier to ask about aluminum component identification, provider capability and unresolved repair scope before buying.
4 minute read