I know of someone that had a salvage vehicle however how his car became a salvage vehicle was he was showing off and lost control of the car in a parking lot and jumped the curb and the exhaust system and all catalytic converters damaged. However no body or suspension damage. The insurance company TOTALED the car. He purchased the car back, had new exhaust, etc. put back on and enjoyed the car. So I guess it depends. Another example would be a flood damaged car that is marked salvaged, but you plan on taking apart and rebuilding.