Section 431 Of Division 1. Words And Phrases Defined From California Vehicle Code >> Division 1.
431
. A "nonrepairable vehicle" is a vehicle of a type otherwise
subject to registration that meets the criteria specified in
subdivision (a), (b), or (c). The vehicle shall be issued a
nonrepairable vehicle certificate and the vehicle, the vehicle frame,
or unitized frame and body, as applicable, and as defined in Section
670.5, shall not be titled or registered.
(a) A nonrepairable vehicle is a vehicle that has no resale value
except as a source of parts or scrap metal, and which the owner
irreversibly designates solely as a source of parts or scrap metal.
(b) A nonrepairable vehicle is a completely stripped vehicle (a
surgical strip) recovered from theft, missing all of the bolt on
sheet metal body panels, all of the doors and hatches, substantially
all of the interior components, and substantially all of the grill
and light assemblies, or that the owner designates has little or no
resale value other than its worth as a source of scrap metal, or as a
source of a vehicle identification number that could be used
illegally.
(c) A nonrepairable vehicle is a completely burned vehicle (burned
hulk) that has been burned to the extent that there are no more
usable or repairable body or interior components, tires and wheels,
or drive train components, and which the owner irreversibly
designates as having little or no resale value other than its worth
as scrap metal or as a source of a vehicle identification number that
could be used illegally.