SOS - Assembled Vehicles

Definition.
An assembled vehicle is one of the following vehicles:

One built (assembled) from new or used materials and parts by someone not recognized as a manufacturer (usually an individual). Example: a homemade vehicle.
One assembled from a kit (often called "kit cars"), even if an MCO is provided.
One altered or modified to the extent that it no longer reflects its original manufacturer identification. Example: a Volkswagen made into a dune buggy.

NOTE: Simply replacing the hood, fenders, trunk lid, engine, etc., does not dictate assembled status, unless the vehicle is no longer recognizable as its original year, make and model.

Requirements.
Scrap-titled vehicles must be completely dismantled, with all major component parts removed from the frame or unitized body supporting structure, before the frame or unitized body supporting structure may be used as part of an assembled vehicle.

To qualify for an assembled vehicle title, a vehicle assembled from scrap vehicle parts must be made up of major component parts from two or more scrap vehicles. An assembled vehicle may not include both the frame (or unitized body supporting structure) and any other major component part from the same scrap-titled vehicle.
For assembled vehicles, the "year" is the year the first title application is processed and the "make" is "Assembled". The VIN is a new state-assigned number.

NOTE: It is illegal to remove an existing VIN plate or to be in possession of VIN plates. State law deems this a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both, and revocation of the dealer's license. VIN plates may never be removed or moved from one vehicle to another.

Applying for an Assembled Title.

To apply for an assembled title and the state-assigned VIN, obtain form BFS-72, Instructions for Titling an Assembled Vehicle, from a Secretary of State branch office. Dealers need the following to apply for the title:

Any titles or properly-assigned ownership documents (TR-42 or TR-52) from vehicles used in the assembly process;
Form TR-54, Vehicle Number and On-Road Equipment Inspection, with Parts 1 and 2 completed by a police officer;
Original bills of sale, or if the parts were already owned and no bill of sale exists, form TR-34, Certification, documenting how the parts were obtained. Form TR-34 must include the serial number on the part and a statement that the applicant is the rightful owner;
Form TR-34, Certification, is also used for summarizing the building process of the vehicle. It should include a description of the vehicle and its parts, who assembled the vehicle, when and where it was assembled, and any special information about the vehicle.

This is a brief introduction, and is not exhaustive. See Chapter 5 of the Dealer Manual for a thorough explanation of Salvage and Scrap Title Procedures for Michigan Dealers.