[SSDan]

Back once upon a time when I worked for about 8 years as a claims adjuster - we used this formula to determine "total loss" - Replacement cost (actual cash value of a like- kind vehicle) minus salvage value. If repairs exceeded that number it was automatically a total. If the repair cost were close to that and there was potential to find a lot of hidden damage once the repair shop opened her up then I would push for it to be a total with the hopes I could squeeze a little more for the salvage value.

I can't say for certain what adjusters do today but my guess is that it isn't done much different. That would make a nice salvage car either to part out or rebuild.