What does it mean if a car is salvaged?

You can only see what the Carfax lists. A savage title means the vehicle was deemed a total loss by an insurance company. So enough damage that repairing was more than the cost of the vehicle. You are taking a risk purchasing a salvage vehicle. I would only buy one if the rear was done properly and correctly, and you plan on driving the car into the ground. Because one day you might want to sell or trade it in, and no one will give you anything for it.