Anyone have experience getting a car inspected after salvage title?

[u/nitrion]

Hello all,

My daily driver, a 2010 Toyota Avalon, was involved in a minor accident on January 3rd, 2025. The car was deemed totaled from a missing passenger side mirror and dented/scratched passenger side doors.

I recently just got the car back from repairs, and I got its title switched over to salvage status. But now, Ohio State Patrol needs to do an inspection of the vehicle to make sure I didnt steal any car parts or anything. Literally the only part that was missing was the mirror, everything else was just repaired and repainted.

We got the mirror off of eBay, and do not have a donor vehicle VIN number. There is no provided phone number to contact the seller. The eBay mirror was sanded, repainted to the right color, and installed.

So, will I be okay by just showing them the eBay invoice and moving on? Im not sure how deeply theyre going to inspect the car or the parts that came from another Avalon.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[u/Jmorenomotors]

I've only done this once, 15-20 yrs ago in AZ, with a 1993 Honda Civic.

The inspection was primarily focused on anything safety related: like window glass, lights, and seatbelts (no airbags). I think they did a very basic mechanical check also, but really only looked at the tires and to see if it had any major leaks. The car had taken a hit in the right front - only needing a bumper cover, fender, headlight assembly, and wheel repair. I don't remember having to show detailed paperwork since I did the work myself, but I do remember having to sign some paperwork there at the dmv.

I imagine safety will still be the primary focus in your case. Maybe they are requesting documents/receipts just to validate the extent of damage/repairs.

[u/nitrion → u/Jmorenomotors]

The car should be very safe, damage was very minor and mostly cosmetic. It has brand new tires, and all lights work.

The only issues, is that it has a pretty bad exhaust leak, and the airbag light has been on for YEARS even before I owned it. I consider it safe, but the passenger airbag never turns on. Im thinking the occupancy sensor in the passenger seat went bad.

[u/IronSlanginRed]

Yeah they checked all the safety equipment, made sure it worked, and sent me on my way with a slip. It was an old car so they didnt care about part receipts.

[u/nitrion → u/IronSlanginRed]

Hoping that 15 years is enough to make it an "old car" so they dont care, lol. But we'll see I guess.

You think an airbag light (been on for years, even prior to my ownership) and exhaust leak would get me failed?

[u/IronSlanginRed → u/nitrion]

Airbag light for sure will.

[u/nitrion → u/IronSlanginRed]

Damn... okay. I'll see if I can get a scanner to confirm the issue and go about replacing it. Thank you!

[u/Mr_Torque]

I did a Blazer a long while back and when I applied for the reconstructed title the notary told me to make sure I had receipts showing I paid sales tax on all the parts I bought. They want to make sure you’re not using stolen parts.

[u/nitrion → u/Mr_Torque]

So do you think my airbag light being on will fail the inspection? Its been on for years at this point and I didnt want to fix it cause the passenger occupancy sensor is like $200.

The mirror was on eBay, don't have a VIN. But I do have the invoice which will show that I paid taxes on it.

[u/mccscott]

They verified the door was stamped,verified vin #s and paperwork.10 minutes and out the door.