Your car is like an individual as far as its make, model and engine type. When the car comes off the assembly line it is equipped with a VIN number which is like the car’s original finger print. Many places contribute information on the history of your car through the DMV including smog information, repairs, and other things. If your car has a different engine for example the DMV requires you to list it as salvaged on the pink slip to protect the potential buyer. If you run into a car (and run the VIN online) that doesn’t match up and the pink slip has no mention of salvage I would walk away.