EpicVin® Glossary
Know what it means. Know why it matters when you're shopping for a used vehicle.
A
- Abandoned
- Abandoned vehicles are cars, trailers, semi-trailers, boats, and any other transport vehicle, whether lost, stolen, or unclaimed, subject to registration and abandoned on another property, whether public, private property, or public highway for a stated period.
- Accidents
- It is also known as a motor vehicle collision. Accident occurs when two or more vehicles collide with each other in a way that causes damage. It can also involve a vehicle colliding with fixed objects such as a building, pole, tree, parked car, and moving objects such as cyclists or animals.
- Actual Cash Value
- The estimated retail value of the lot as submitted to the auction by the seller. If the lot has been damaged, this is the value prior to the occurrence of the damage. This number is presented for informational purposes only. The auction makes no representations as to the validity or accuracy of the listed value.
- Airbag Deployment
- This occurs when an airbag has been used due to an accident. Airbags are deployed based on signals emitted from a crash sensor in the vehicle. Faulty airbags can cause bodily harm; airbags that have been deployed would need to be replaced by a professional.
- Assembled
- A vehicle built or assembled from new or used materials by someone not recognized as a major car manufacturer. Such vehicles include kit cars and restored classic cars, which are assembled from other vehicle parts.
- Assignment
- Transferring the possession of property rights, claim, and interests from one individual to another by signing an assignment sheet.
- Auto Auction
- The process of selling vehicles based on an auction system. In this system, multiple bidders bid for the vehicle, and the highest bidder gets the vehicle.
B
- Body Style
- Body Style is the manufacturer's designation of the vehicle's configuration.
- Bonded
- Also known as Certificate of Title Surety Bond, is a vehicle title that includes a surety bond to ensure the vehicle owner's rightful ownership. The bonded title allows the vehicle owner to take legal and financial rights for statements regarding the vehicle. The bond is valid remains In effect for three years or, except the vehicle is no longer registered in the state.
- Bond Released
- This involves returning a monetary bond that a government agency required to the legal owner.
- Branded as Lemon
- The definition of a lemon vehicle may vary by state. Generally, suppose a certain vehicle component has malfunctioned several times while under warranty, and this malfunctioning component makes the car unusable or unsafe to drive then, the vehicle could be branded as a lemon on its title by the state. Hence, a Lemon Law Buyback title vehicle is a vehicle that has been returned to the manufacturer because of warranty defects. Note that lemon law does apply to used cars. It works only for new cars. Lemon laws protect the rights of buyers of vehicles that are malfunctioning and require repairs often for the same problem.
- Brands or Branded
- This is a permanent designation on a vehicle permit documents, title, or registration issued by the state DMV that include words or symbols to indicate the condition or status of the vehicle. Examples of brands include vehicles that have been sold for scrap, totaled vehicles, stolen or abandoned vehicles, vehicles whose odometer exceeded mechanical limits, damaged vehicles due to flood, fire, or collision.
- Broken Odometer
- When an odometer is broken, the odometer stops functioning correctly. It cannot accurately record the traveling distance of the vehicle.
- Bonded
- The vehicle required posting of a bond in order to register or place a title on the vehicle. Bonds are sometimes required when there is no title for the vehicle. Bonds can be obtained through an insurance or bonding agent.
C
- Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
- A vehicle that has been subjected to a full inspection and safety process. Vehicles sold as Certified Pre-owned must have gone through detailed inspection, necessary repairs and meet certain age requirements as stated by the manufacturer. Factory Certified Pre-owned Vehicles usually come with additional warranties and roadside assistance.
- Class
- This involves categorizing vehicles with similar models from different automakers.
- Clear Title
- This indicates that the vehicle has not been damaged beyond repair and no liens have been placed on it.
- Color
- The common color name that reasonably represents the exterior color of the vehicle. Color is NOT the manufacturer's designated color name, but rather simply a general descriptive name.
- Commercial
- This indicates that a vehicle is registered for the commercial purpose of carrying goods or passengers from one place to another.
- Corrected Title
- The definition of a corrected title may vary based on the state. Some states would issue a corrected title when an owner's name is added or removed due to reasons such as divorce, marriage, or date. Other states would issue a corrected title when something incorrect is found, such as incorrect ownership, address, and odometer readings, and the owner then applies with the correct title.
- Cylinders
- Cylinders represent the manufacturer's designation of the vehicle's power train.
D
- DMVs
- An acronym for Department of Motor Vehicles, is the government agency assigned to administer vehicle titles, vehicle registration, and driver's licenses.
- Damage Severity
- The extent of damage can occur in the following levels: Minor Level: This may involve cosmetic or surface damages such as scratches and dents. A minor level of damage usually requires refurbishing and doesn't jeopardize the vehicle's safety and smooth operation. Moderate Level: In Moderate damage level, several parts of the vehicle are affected, which may or may not affect the vehicle's functioning. Severe Level: In severe damage, multiple components of the vehicle are damaged and will most likely affect the safety and functioning of the vehicle.
- Date Reported
- This indicates the date on which the transaction took place.
- Dismantled Title
- This is issued to a vehicle that has suffered serious damage to major component parts and the repair cost is more than the vehicle value. The difference from a salvage title is that the vehicle may only be used for parts and scrap metal and cannot be rebuilt for road use.
- Drive
- The manufacturer's designation of the vehicle's power train.
- Duplicate Title
- When the DMV issues a duplicate title for a vehicle, it means that the vehicle's original title has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, and the vehicle owner applied for a replacement.
E
- Emission/Safety Inspection
- An authorized emission testing station would inspect the vehicle to measure the amount of pollutants emitted by the vehicle into the environment; this ensures that vehicles produce safe levels of emissions, thereby preserving the ecosystem, decreasing environmental damage, and improving air quality.
- Engine
- Engine is the motor specification denoted by the VIN of the vehicle.
- Exceeds Mechanical Limits
- When an odometer rolls over 99,999, a 5-digit odometer cannot record distance accurately. Also, a 6-digit odometer cannot track mileage when the odometer rolls over 999,999; the odometer then reads "Exceeds Mechanical Limits".
- Exempt
- The vehicle is not regulated or subject to normal or required odometer laws.
- Exempt from Odometer Disclosure
- The odometer law mandates that odometer readings are required for vehicles less than ten years. However, vehicles over ten years old are exempt from the written disclosure requirements; hence providing odometer readings is not mandatory.
F
- Failed Emissions Inspection
- The emission test done during the vehicle inspection showed that the vehicle was producing more pollutants above the standard emission level. It could also mean that the vehicle had modified or missing parts. Recurrent failed emission could mean a problem with the engine.
- Failed Safety Inspection
- The vehicle did not meet up with the standard safety level.
- Fire Brand
- A designation on a vehicle that has been damaged as a result of a fire. In some states, a Fire Brand title is issued when the cost of vehicle repair is greater than its market value.
- First Owner
- The first individual who gets a title from the state DMV as the owner of the vehicle.
- Fleet Vehicle
- A vehicle owned or leased by a company, agency, or other business parastatals rather than a private individual. Fleet vehicles are registered or sold to companies that manage vehicle fleets such as taxicab companies, car rental businesses, and public bus companies.
- Flood Damage
- The vehicle has suffered damages as a result of a flood or water.
- Fuel
- Fuel indicates the fuel type used by the engine as designated by the VIN.
G
- Government Use
- A federal or government agency used the vehicle.
- Grey Market Vehicle
- A vehicle manufactured and registered outside the United States and does not meet the US safety and emissions standards.
H
- Hail Brand
- A designation on a vehicle that was damaged due to hail. In some states, a hail brand is issued when the cost of vehicle repair is greater than its market value.
- High-speed Crash Test Vehicle
- A crash test with high rather high speed was performed on the vehicle, and the vehicle may likely suffer damage.
I
- Independent Inspection
- Another agency unrelated to the state DMV performed inspections on the vehicle.
- Inspections
- Some states perform biennial emission and safety inspections, while others require annual inspections. During inspections, odometer readings are usually collected.
- Insurance Records
- A record showing the likely loss that may occur, such as an accident or theft, the amount to be paid, and the percentage of fault assigned.
J
- Junk Title
- This is issued for a vehicle with damage over 75 percent of its value. Such vehicles are not eligible for road use. Junk and salvage titles are considered to be the same by some states.
L
- Lease
- A leasing company buys the vehicle from a dealer, leases the car to an individual, and collects payment from the owner within a specified period of time, say 2,3,4 years and above. The leasing company can be a car manufacturer or an independent company.
M
- Major Damage Incident
- An independent source had reported that the vehicle suffered serious damages.
- Make
- A vehicles make is the name of the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer Buyback
- A situation where the manufacturer buys back the vehicle from the owner. This usually occurs when the vehicle repeatedly undergoes repair for the same problem within a short or reasonable period.
- Manufacturer Recall
- A manufacturer issues a recall when he notices that the vehicle is defective, creates a safety risk, or does not meet minimum safety standards. It also indicates the possible adjustment that can be made to improve the safety of the vehicle. If there's a manufacturer recall, the manufacturer would repair the vehicle free of charge.
- Mileage Discrepancy
- The odometer has been giving incorrect readings.
- Model
- The Model is the name used by the manufacturer to categorize the vehicle.
- Municipal Use
- A federal, state, or government agency used the vehicle.
N
- NHTSA Crash Test Vehicle
- The vehicle was subjected to NHTSA crash tests to assess the vehicle safety level.
- NMVTIS
- National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.
- Not Actual Miles
- The odometer gives a different reading from the actual mileage.
O
- Odometer codes
- Are shown to reflect the known reliability of the odometer reading. "Actual" means that the odometer reading is believed to be the true and actual mileage of the lot. "Exceeds Mechanical Limits" means that the true mileage of the lot cannot be expressed because it has exceeded the capacity of the odometer to measure it, in other words it has "rolled over". "Exempt" means that by Federal Law, no odometer code is required to be displayed for this lot. "Not Actual" means that the odometer reading does not correctly reflect the mileage of the lot or it cannot be ascertained.
- Odometer Problem
- The odometer has problems that may include a broken odometer, a mileage discrepancy, exceed the mechanical limit, or not actual miles.
- Odometer Rollback
- The DMV discovered that the current odometer reading was less than the previous reading; this is known as Odometer Rollback. Odometer rollback is the act of tampering with a vehicle that results in a mileage lesser than the previous reading.
- Odometer Rollover
- For vehicles with 5-digit odometers, the readings roll over to 0 when the mileage exceeds 99,999. For 6-digit odometers, it rolls over to 0 when it exceeds 999,999.
- Open Recall
- A condition where the manufacturer has not taken steps to repair the defective parts of the vehicle. When the vehicle is still in open recall conditions, the manufacturer would have to correct the defects and safety concerns.
- Ownership History
- The owner of the vehicle is the individual or entity who acquires and uses the vehicle. Every title transaction may not necessarily be directly related to a change in ownership of the vehicle. EpicVin estimates the number of owners a vehicle has by using proprietary technology to analyze the incidents that occurred in the vehicle's history. Vehicles produced after 1992 and titled entirely in the US can get estimated ownership of the vehicle.
P
- Passed Emission Inspection
- The vehicle was inspected and met the state emission standard.
- Passed Safety Inspection
- The vehicle was inspected and met the state safety standard.
- Personal
- The owner of the vehicle registered the vehicle for personal use.
- Primary Damage & Secondary Damage
- Indicate known or reported damages only and are limited by their nature. The auction expressly disclaims the accuracy of Primary Damage and Secondary Damage information, as it may not accurately reflect the type or extent of damage to any vehicle.
- Prior Police
- A police agency has previously used the car before.
- Prior Taxi
- The vehicle was previously used for taxi purposes.
R
- Rebodied Vehicle
- A vehicle that has been reassembled with another body similar to the initial original body. The vehicle can be rebodied with a new body entirely or a new major part of the vehicle. Rebodied vehicles are not always Salvage or Scrap vehicles.
- Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title
- Means that the salvaged vehicle has been successfully repaired to full operation and safety.
- Recall
- The vehicle manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can issue a recall. The manufacturer usually fixes vehicles that are involved in a safety recall at no cost to the owner. However, regardless of who issued the recall, the manufacturer would document a report describing the vehicle involved, the vehicle's issue, the possible solution, and other information.
- Reconditioned
- The vehicle has been repaired or restored.
- Recovered Theft
- The stolen vehicle has been recovered.
- Registration/Renewal
- The state DMV reported that the vehicle registration had been renewed. The vehicle can be freely operated when it has been registered.
- Remanufactured
- In remanufacturing process, the vehicle is broken to the frame, the remanufacturer replaces the worn-out parts with remanufactured parts which fulfill the original manufacturer's standards. The vehicle is then reconstructed from the frame up. The remanufactured part of the vehicle, which may include engine, axles, transmission, frame, or brakes, performs similar functions as the original part. The parts are constructed using a technical process. Remanufactured parts are clearly stated by the remanufactured and have the same warranty as new parts.
- Rental
- The vehicle was registered for rental purposes.
- Repair Cost
- Is the estimated cost to repair the vehicle as submitted to the auction by the seller of the vehicle. The Repair Cost listed here may vary greatly from the actual cost to repair this vehicle. The auction makes no representations as to the validity or accuracy of the listed value.
- Replaced Odometer
- Digital odometers that fail usually need to be replaced. The odometer not resetting with the new engine may need to be replaced. Odometers are responsible for recording all components of the vehicle. Replacement odometers usually have zero mileage; hence, they are sent to a professional speedometer facility where the mileage is transferred from the previous odometer to the new odometer.
- Repossession
- Repossession occurs when the financial institution takes ownership of the vehicle because the actual owner of the vehicle was unable to complete loan payments.
S
- Safety Inspection
- This means the vehicle has been inspected by the State safety department. Safety inspection may include examining the tires, engines, brakes, steering, and other vehicle parts.
- Salvage Title
- Is issued to a vehicle that has been damaged beyond 75 percent of the original value. Such vehicles can be rebuilt and made roadworthy, but will never again be entitled to clear title status. Salvage title can significantly reduce the vehicle price, and is not eligible for funding by most lenders.
- Scrapped Brand
- The vehicle can be sold only for parts or scrap.
- State Government
- The vehicle was reported to be used by the State Government.
- Stolen Vehicle
- A stolen vehicle is termed "missing" when reported to the state DMV or insurance company. Before purchasing a stolen vehicle, the vehicle`s status should be verified with NICB; this is to protect the buyer from being charged for theft. Buyers who are charged for buying stolen vehicles may lose the vehicle without reimbursement or compensation.
- Suspect Miles
- Occurs when the state officials suspect that the odometer has been tampered with.
T
- Theft Insurance Claim
- The vehicle was stolen, and the owner files for a theft insurance claim.
- Theft Records
- The vehicle was reported to have been stolen from its legitimate owner. The DMV, state agency, and Insurance can handle cases of vehicle theft.
- Title History Information
- The records of all title events on the vehicle. The vehicle title is the authorized proof of ownership. It can be transferred from one owner to another owner.
- Title Type
- Denotes the ownership documents. Each state issues a wide variety of different ownership documents. Each type of document carries with it certain ownership rights and certain restrictions or burdens. These are only the ownership documents for the lot at the time the vehicle was on sale at the auction; they do not in any way represent or attempt to represent any prior history of the lot.
- Totaled
- A car is termed as "totaled" when something unexpected like theft or an accident occurs, and the cost of fixing the car exceeds the car`s pre-damaged value. Insurance companies consider a car as totaled when the salvage and repair costs are more than the actual monetary value of the car. The damage threshold may vary by the company; however, most insurers assess the vehicle as "total loss" based on the cost of repair. Also not all "totaled" vehicle has the branded title especially when the insurer`s standard for total loss differs from the state DMV standard.
U
- Unknown Odometer Reading
- The odometer reading is unspecified.
V
- Vehicle Age
- The number of years between the vehicle model year and the calendar year.
- Vehicle ID No. (VIN)
- A unique 17 character code that is assigned to each vehicle to identify the vehicle. It includes the serial number, year, manufacturer, model, and engine specification.
- Vehicle Service Performed
- The vehicle has been serviced or undergone repair.
W
- Water Damage
- A vehicle that was damaged by excess water or flood. Claim for flood damage is usually issued to the insurance company.
Y
- Year
- Is the manufacturer's designated model year.
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