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Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:52 pm

I bought a 73 Super a little while back but found out that the title that came with the car was not the right one. I was finally able to get ahold of the guy that sold me that car but he said that he didn't think he had another title (he's had quite a few VWs for sale though).

Anyways, what can I do from here? Can I apply for a new title even if it's under his name? What would happen if someone else has my title (then I probably have their title!). The guy offered to give me my money back if I can't get a title for it. I'd like to keep the car but it's no good to me if I can't get a title.

By the way, I'm in Illinois.

Thanks for any help!

Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:04 pm

first did the seller ever have the title in his name? ( I presume not) and or did he ever give you a bill of sale? signed?

second.. never buy a car without checking the VIN against the title that is given to you....

third, if you persue this with the state ( the title you were provided was an IL title?) the seller could be in big trouble, it may be he has no choice but to give you a refund and take the car back, your pursuit of a title he did not hold could land him in trouble and you could be out a car and your $$$... my advice, tread lightly...
maybe see if an indpendant title company can run the VIN on the car you have and forget the tiltle you "hold" if the #'s on the car you have are clear then get them to persue a lost title for you and do someone else a favor and BURN the other title!

Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:21 pm

Talk to your DMV people and ask what to do about a lost title. This is a real common problem with all DMV departments in all states. In California all we usually need is a bill of sale and a certificate of facts signed by the seller as long as it doesn't show up in the DMV 'puter belonging to somebody else. If it's really old then we need light & brake certs and other such stuff.

Anytime the title is not in the seller's name I will not pay for the car until the seller and I go to DMV together to make sure the paperwork checks out. Then it's his problem, not mine. It has to be NOT registered for 7-10 years to fall out of the CA system.

But don't show up with a "wrong" title. Wrong is worthless. Lost is much better than wrong. :wink: At minimum show up with a bill of sale. AAA members can also use AAA offices here in CA for DMV - much easier than going to the state offices.

Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:13 pm

thanks for the ideas.

Yeah, I know, I should've checked the vin on the title against the car. I mean to, but didn't right away, until it was too late. You can bet I won't make that mistake again!

I've tried to get in touch with the Sec. of State offices but that's almost impossible. I might try going to one of the DMV offices this weekend.
I'll have to try AAA too. I'm a member. I didn't even think about that.

Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:30 pm

Dude....... PM me the vin. I'll call my dispatch and check it for you real quick to see if it's "hot" At least you'll know before you waste you time at the DMV. If it's clear, just take you bill of sale and have them process for a lost title.