what does "salvage reported" mean?

It means "run away", "run away". This car was totaled in an accident, flood or similar event.

it means the car was reported as a write off meaning it recieved to much damage to be viably replaced. but this could simply mean the air bags deploued or the car was a crumpled piece of paper.

I have purchased "total damaged" cars from a local dealer that I know well and some of the cars had been declared a "complete loss" by the insurance company because it would cost too much to repair it in their estimate than the car was worth. Both cars have been repaired to meet all the rules and they worked well and I was even able to insure that cars. BUT I would do a complete review of the car and ask many question and ask for photos before the repairs MORE Important Know who you are bying from. Now there will lots of cars comming from the HOUSTON floods that were declared total for water damage and those may have a lot of hidden damage that if not repaired and cleaned properly will come to cost you dearly and those cars are purchased "As Is" and as such do not expect any warranty on anything. You take a risk every time you buy even from a dealer but even more risk if it is a individual seller.