Your Guide to Maryland Salvage & Rebuilt Titles — How MES Helps You Navigate MVA & State Police Requirements
Maryland Express Services (MES) — MVA-Authorized Tag & Title in Ellicott City, MD
Most blogs tell you “a salvage title means the car was totaled.” That’s cute, but it doesn’t help when you’re holding an out-of-state branded title and Maryland still wants a State Police inspection. This guide explains the real workflow — what Maryland actually checks, what MES will accept, and when we have to tell you it’s not processable.
Why this post is different
Most online articles talk to car buyers. This one talks to Maryland vehicle owners and to people who actually have to submit the transaction. We’re looking at it from the agent side:
- Out-of-state branded titles (VA, PA, NJ) coming into Maryland
- When Maryland still requires a Maryland State Police (MSP) Salvage Inspection
- Which brands we can process in the MVA system, and which ones we have to reject
- What you should bring to MES so we don’t have to pause your transaction
- How brands must be entered in an electronic title system (like TitleTec / Solera)
Quick basics: how Maryland sees “salvage”
A vehicle is considered salvage when it’s been declared a total loss — collision, flood, fire, theft recovery, whatever pushed the repair cost too high. Once it’s branded, that brand follows the vehicle.
Maryland’s twist: if the vehicle comes into Maryland with a salvage or rebuilt brand from another state, Maryland can still require its own salvage inspection before issuing a Maryland title. “Rebuilt in Virginia” doesn’t automatically mean “good in Maryland.”
What most blogs don’t tell you
- Maryland wants Maryland paperwork. An out-of-state rebuilt title doesn’t guarantee Maryland will skip the MSP inspection.
- Some branded documents are dead-ends. “Non-Repairable,” “Certificate of Destruction,” or “Parts Only” usually can’t be converted to a Maryland title.
- ERT/TitleTec is strict. If the brand isn’t selected correctly (Salvage, Rebuilt Salvage, Salvage Flood), the transaction can fail validation.
- Temp tags can be blocked. If the salvage inspection isn’t on file, Maryland can prevent the issuance of a temporary registration.
What to bring to MES for a salvage or rebuilt vehicle
Show up with as much of this as you can:
- Original branded title (Maryland or out-of-state)
- Bill of sale (including insurance company bills of sale)
- Maryland State Police Salvage Inspection Certificate (if already completed)
- Maryland safety inspection (needed for registration)
- Valid ID / MD license
- Business proof if the vehicle is titled to an LLC or corporation
If the MSP Salvage Inspection isn’t done yet, we can tell you the next step — but the state won’t let us skip it.
How Maryland treats different title brands
1. Salvage
The vehicle was totaled. Maryland expects an MSP Salvage Inspection. After that, we can usually do a Title Only transaction.
2. Rebuilt / Reconstructed (from another state)
Other states may have already rebuilt it, but Maryland still wants it documented here. We flag it as rebuilt salvage and attach the right documents.
3. Flood / Fire / Theft Salvage
These are still salvage in Maryland. We brand it correctly so the Maryland title shows the right history.
4. Non-Repairable / Parts Only / Certificate of Destruction
These are usually not processable for a normal Maryland title. That’s when we tell you the truth instead of wasting your time.
Why MES sometimes has to say “we can’t process this”
We’re an MVA-authorized tag & title agent. That means we have to follow MVA and MSP rules. If the document type is one Maryland doesn’t convert, or if the required inspection isn’t done, we can’t “force it through.” What we can do is tell you exactly what to do next.
Related MES pages
FAQ: Maryland Salvage & Rebuilt Titles
Do I still need a Maryland salvage inspection if another state already rebuilt it?
Often yes. Maryland wants its own inspection on file before it issues a Maryland title.
Can I get a temp tag on a salvage vehicle?
Not in every case. If the system sees it as salvage and the inspection isn’t recorded, temp tags can be blocked.
Can you tell me in advance if my title is processable?
Yes. Send us a clear photo of the front of the title and we can usually tell you right away.
Sources & Official Guidance
- Maryland State Police — Salvage Vehicle Inspections
- Maryland MVA — Salvaged Vehicle Inspection
- Maryland MVA — Titling: Vehicle Previously Salvaged
- Maryland Transportation Code §13-507 — Salvage Certificates
- Maryland Transportation Code §13-506 — Vehicles Considered Salvage
- NMVTIS — National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (background on title branding)
Adding these links makes the post look professional and shows you didn’t just invent the rules — you’re following Maryland’s published guidance.
Maryland Express Services (MES) — MVA-Authorized Tag & Title • Ellicott City, Maryland
From paperwork to plates — even on salvage and rebuilt vehicles.
