Minnesota Focus Owners Club

I have heard that if a vehicle states on the title, salvaged or totaled you can't drive it legally in the state of MN. I was offered my car from my dad's house down in Gallup New Mexico. Problem is its an older car ( 95 Mercury Sable with 198,000 miles on it) The car was in an accident when my dad was driving it. someone hit the passenger side of the car. Repair would cost about 600. Car is only worth 300. So I don't know if I can drive the car here. and i am not about to drive to NM to get my car if I cant have it here and drive it. If I can then my 08 focus will go into storage during the winters, and I'll drive the sable.....but we'll see. I know some of you know the rules or tricks to get arouind things. Help me out if you can! thanks

You can have a salvaged titled car in MN.

does it have a salvage or insurance auction title in NM? if not, don't worry
if it is salvaged in NM then you can own it here but you can't buy tabs untill you get it inspected. it don't have to be perfect to pass. just so the numbers match and the frame is strait. air bags are not required and body work do not need to be done. inspection is quick and easy but will cost a fee when you go to apple for a "prior salvage" title.
i have experience, i've gone threw like 3 cars/inspections

recommentdatins on inspection places? any idea on fee? only thing is I cant open the passenger side door cuz the fender is pushed back into the door..... I dont really wanna spend the money to fix it either lol. Not worth it

mndriveinfo.org you have to set an appointment at an inspection place. here's the info from the site for the st paul one (the one i go to). you can ask them what the fees are (you do not have to pay it there). but first find the stat of the NM title and call the DMV and find out if it's going to be a salvage when it transfers over. if it will you need to transfer it and wait for them to send you a letter before you go in. appointments are usually 3 weeks or so out.

Address:
365 Como Avenue
St. Paul 55103
Contact Phone:
651-282-2173

Inspection Day & Time:
Available Monday through Friday 8:30-12 and 12:30-4:00
Contact Day & Time:
Monday through Friday 8:30-12 and 12:30-4:00

........ still fighting with MN DMV to get my car. They claim I can't even have it in the state until the damage is fixed. Even though its likes $700 to 800 to fix....but car is only worth $300. Anyone else have any ideas? Anyone willing to do body work for cheap for me? The damage is to the passenger side door and the hige was screwed up. Its only gonna be a commuting vehicle so I can mod my focus. I haven;t had any luck finding the door either in junk yards.

95? those are everywhere.
ok, now EXACT;Y what is the DMV saying? word for word almost. are they saying it has to pass inspection there or here?

pics of damage? if fixing is a route you want to go.

Im being told it has to be ffixed and inspected in NM and then has to be inspected again here. I dont have pics of the damage. I can't turn down a free car though.... lol

that's bs. i had a car from Missouri or some shit that came here as a salvage. get the title and try to transfer it. ownership can be transferred. if it gets inspected in nm it will still have to be inspected here. prior salvage from another state goes to a salvage when transferred to mn. unless nm don't have PRIOR SALVAGE. check their laws too.

NM says the car is good to go already. they let people drive the cars around with a totaled title or salvage on it because of the poverty level there. either way I'm getting the car and if I have to, it'll just sit around for a while.

I didn't have to go through any hoops when I bought my salvage Cougar from Illinois... Just went and transferred the title like any other car purchase.

I know 06 bought a salvage car in iowa, and when it got here it had a clean title.

My focus is a salvage car too

I know how its suppose to work. Cuz this car is free. My dad is giving it to me and is putting all the money into it. Hes paying for new tires, tune up and flush, the inspection, tabs and registering the vehicle and any other fees I may be missing.

yeah, just bring it here and trans as normal. if you need an inspection then they'll tell you then. they can't deny it.

now, does 06's title say "previously titled in iowa" that's what the mn - wi and wi - mn titles say.

I do wanna try to find someone to fix the passenger door for cheap. any recommendations? anyone on here?