A Salvage Title In New York Indicates A Vehicle Has Been Declared A Total Loss By An Insurance Company. Go to the local DNV and register it as you would any vehicle.The only difference is it will be listed as SALVAGE on the title. New York considers your car to be salvaged if it was made after 1972 and transferred to an insurer with a Salvage Certificate or declared a "wreck." A salvage title is a buyer beware warning indicating the car for sale was previously declared a total loss after an accident and has now been repaired. Call her bluff and let her file. Make changes to a car title, learn how to request a replacement title, add a lien holder, and request a title search in CT.