TheSamba.com :: View topic - How important is the title with purchase?

Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:28 pm

Hello,

I'm looking at a possible purchase on an oval. The owner does not have a title but has some type of lien paperwork. I am in CA, car is in NV. Not sure if the paperwork is out of CA or NV yet. Just want to be sure that I can register this car.

Thanks.

Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:31 pm

I think it depends on the state you intend to register it in. Call you state registry and ask....

Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:06 am

You may want to try international title Service! They deal In LOST TITLE's.( Or if you don't have one at all) They Are located infact in Vegas. Eric 8)

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:38 am

Thanks.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:04 pm

I'v heard stories of people using those title services getting screwed in the end. Be careful with that.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:21 pm

I'll be contacting the DMV to see exactly what I need to do to keep as safe as possible.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:09 pm

How important ??!

Can you afford to lose all of the money you invested in the car?
Can you afford to legally defend yourself against charges of dealing in stolen automobiles and/or stolen parts??

Protect yourself with a good paper trail if you go the untitled route.

Dave

Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:22 pm

Wow :)

I also asked because I see a lot of untitled old cars out there. Some with bills of sale, liens, etc. I am no expert in vehicle registration.

The DMV told be that I would need both the bill of sale and a "Statement of Facts" form for the seller to explain why they do not have a title and the status of registration, etc.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:23 pm

ITS is a reputable service, I've used them a few times now and never had a problem with them, nor down at the DMV with what they provide you with. A few large scooter shops I know whom import alot of non-titled vintage scooters to restore use ITS all the time with never a problem.

The fees vary some but usually around $100. Generally you sign a notarized affadavit to acknowledge the vehicle was not stolen, and then ITS provides you with a registration from a non-titling state (such as Alabama I believe), and a bill of sale from ITS on the vehicle. Then you can take both documents down to the DMV to retitle the vehicle to your state and get it registered. Generally the DMV counter person only takes 2 minutes to verify the registration is indeed a non-titled state, and they you are all set.

Here in MA its a nightmare trying to register/title a vehicle that didn't come with a title, I've been down this path before here and its insane how much trouble it is, and how the DMV can and will treat you like a thief during the process. When I had no other options left thats when I went with ITS. So no more wasted DMV trips, no more waiting for hours there, and no more arguments at the DMV for me.

Good luck.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:06 pm

if you call CA DMV 10x, you will probably get 10 different answers. If it's never been titled in CA, it's easy. You take the car with you, fill out the application for title. in the previous registered owner section write none. you have DMV do a vin verification. pay your $46, they give you plates, and you are done. Title comes in the mail 3 weeks later. All of this is hinged on it not being stolen. All of this is free, other than the $46 or so for your normal registration. This is also the case if it's just off the books (not registered in the last 7 years). let me know if I can be of more assistance, i have done this numerous times in CA

Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:13 pm

Brezelwerks wrote: Here in MA its a nightmare trying to register/title a vehicle that didn't come with a title, I've been down this path before here and its insane how much trouble it is, and how the DMV can and will treat you like a thief during the process. When I had no other options left thats when I went with ITS. So no more wasted DMV trips, no more waiting for hours there, and no more arguments at the DMV for me.
Good luck.

To add insult to injury, if you bought a car in MA on or before 25 Nov 1990 and it was 10 or more model years old, no title was issued and if you wanted one, the folks at the RMV looked at you like you were some kind of idiot (even after the title fee was raised from $10 to $50). According to the RMV, the "Z" number in the title block of my registration meant nothing, as I thought I could get a title issued in my name with that number assigned, if I was willing to pay the $50.

If I want to register one of my ex-MA cars in CO (which has some of the strictest title laws), I may have to go the ITS route, even though CO has simplified the process for dealers (by posting bond) in obtaining new titles for vehicles where the title is lost/non-existent.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:29 pm

Here's a hypothetical situation ... I'm curious as to what everyone elses take is on this.

My 57 is currently titled in Arizona, but does not have a current registration. Last fall (2007) I moved to Alabama.

Alabama does not title vehicles older than 1975. I have yet to cross this bridge with my 57 because it's non-operational anyway.

I most likely will not live in Alabama for the rest of my life and will probably move somewhere else in a few years. What happens if I register the car in Alabama ... and now I have no title and want to sell the car to someone out of state or simply title/register the car in another state later on.

Is this something that will basically be a common sense call on the DMV's part or..... ????