What Does a Totaled Car Look Like?

Q: What Does a Totaled Car Look Like?

A: Common signs of a totaled car include critical damage to the front of the vehicle and body frame. Major fluid leaks are another red flag.

In some cases, a vehicle may appear fine, but it may still be considered a total loss due to significant flood damage.

While it’s difficult to determine whether a vehicle is totaled unless it’s obvious the damage will be too costly to repair, a visual inspection can help you determine its status. If it has the following telltale signs, then it could be considered “totaled.”

• Critical damage to the front of the vehicle, including a smoking or flaming engine, a damaged radiator, busted headlights, or a bumper that’s completely caved in
• A body frame that’s been broken or bent out of shape, complete with dents, caved-in roofs, and crushed doors
• Major fluid leaks, including but not limited to oil, coolant, or transmission fluid 
• A flood-damaged car will always have signs of corrosion or mildew showing that the water reached the cabin, submerging critical electrical wiring, engine, and fuel system components

How Much Damage Is Required for a Vehicle to Be Classified as Totaled?

A totaled car or “total loss car” refers to a vehicle that’s impractical to repair because of significant damage. If the estimated costs to repair a vehicle exceed a certain percentage of its value, it is declared “totaled.” 

On the other hand, damage is relative. A damaged car won’t always be a totaled car, but a totaled car will always be a damaged one. No matter how much damage a vehicle sustains, it cannot be considered a totaled car until it becomes cheaper for an insurance company to replace a car as opposed to just fixing it. 

Can You Drive a Totaled Car?

No, you cannot drive a totaled car. Not only would it be illegal in most states to do so, but it’s also extremely unsafe. Instead, contact your insurance company for options. More often than not, you’ll receive an insurance payout to compensate you for the damage.