Increasing cost to repair means cars are totaled for less and less severe damage. Consider a salvage title car if you’re on a budget and can convince yourself it’s a safe car. FWIW, California’s brake and light certificates don’t mean a car is roadworthy.

Personally, I won’t touch a flood car and I’m highly skeptical of a theft recovery if there are electricals that don’t work. I trust my eyes to spot a poorly repaired wreck. Generally if all the VIN tags are intact and in place it can’t have been that bad a wreck. Genrerally.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon