Washing Our Hands of Washed Titles
Washed titles on cars that have been previously damaged are becoming a bigger issue with every passing summer of natural disasters, not to mention car accidents in general. Recently, Automotive News reported that a new VIN database supported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau will help keep track of information needed to harness the continuing title washing. Although many people and organizations in the automotive industry, including NADA, feel that this is a minimal safety net, it will surely contribute to more stringent records of previously damaged vehicles.
NADA is still pushing for full disclosure of all total-loss vehicles, hopefully the next step in eliminating title washing; however, they aren’t satisfied there. In the meantime, they have provided 10 helpful inspection tips to educate people in the Midwest and elsewhere (http://www.nada.org/Advocacy+Outreach/LegislativeAffairs/Vehicle+Total-Loss+Disclosure/Tips+-+English.htm). These tips help guide people on what to look for and specific areas of the car to investigate, offering assistance for both mechanics at dealership or repair shops, as well as individual consumers.
If you’d like help NADA in their efforts to push for legislation to combat title washing, please visit www.nada.org/tld