title
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,879
Likes: 5,412
From: Richardson Texas
This is fairly common in the retail automobile industry. Dealers selling a car to another dealer want to be sure you have the title of the car before they transfer funds or send a check. Titles in-transit from banks can be a real drag on inventory. If you take an actual copy of the original title, the copy should show "VOID" all over the copy.
I see no harm in sending a copy...although, I'm curious as to why an individual would need to see a copy.
I see no harm in sending a copy...although, I'm curious as to why an individual would need to see a copy.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 32,977
Likes: 6,508
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Some states like NY don't issue titles for cars that old, the registration stub is transferrable and you sign that over.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,408
Likes: 8,839
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Neither do I but I would clearly mark the document as a "COPY" and maybe make the copy in low-res black/white instead of full colour. But that's just me.....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,153
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
A copy of the title that says void all over it is fine. Otherwise one of you will have to travel. Do a facetime call and hold the title up. There has to be a way he can see a clear title and correct Vin. Tell him to send a representative near you to verify the title.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,485
Likes: 805
From: East Central Florida
A copy of the title, and a photo of the vin tag....
Is what I always requested when I was doing PPI's. It ensures they match.
I once was scheduling a PPI for a buyer. The title had a 5 instead of the S on his 30 year old paperwork.
The buyer was thankful I recommended that. It saved him a nightmare, and a wasted trip for me and my PPI fee. I never went to look at it. I imagine it took the seller several weeks to fix his title. I never heard back from him.
Rich
Is what I always requested when I was doing PPI's. It ensures they match.
I once was scheduling a PPI for a buyer. The title had a 5 instead of the S on his 30 year old paperwork.
The buyer was thankful I recommended that. It saved him a nightmare, and a wasted trip for me and my PPI fee. I never went to look at it. I imagine it took the seller several weeks to fix his title. I never heard back from him.
Rich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,070
Likes: 1,129
From: NEW YORK
Its only a copy. Nothing really could be done with it. If I am buying and asked a seller for a copy to verify things and was told no I would walk. If you are still worried offer to email a picture of it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 1,806
From: Apple Valley, MN
Fraud is everywhere these days. I agree 100% with other responders to make a copy, then write on the copy something to the effect “for validation purposes only”.
Selling out of state is problematic for the legal transaction. Yes, you can hold the actual title until you get the cash but you are still the legal owner of the car until that title is registered with the new owner. I recently sold some property and used a bank as an escrow agent. The buyer did not get the cash until the escrow agent was satisfied that the legal transfer was complete. Cost me $500 but worth every penny for peace of mind.
Selling out of state is problematic for the legal transaction. Yes, you can hold the actual title until you get the cash but you are still the legal owner of the car until that title is registered with the new owner. I recently sold some property and used a bank as an escrow agent. The buyer did not get the cash until the escrow agent was satisfied that the legal transfer was complete. Cost me $500 but worth every penny for peace of mind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 805
Likes: 198
From: NH
I originally bought my 62 in Utah back in 75 and got it titled there. When I moved to NH and went to title it, they asked for my Utah title but then said that NH did not issue a title on a car that old. I quickly said, "Oh, in that case, I don't have a title." They gave me a bit of a hard time (since I had already shown them the title), but eventually I prevailed and I still have my Utah title from 75 today. Not that I ever plan on selling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 250
I was both a buyer (of a 2022 Boxster GTS 4.0) and seller of my NOM 67 Corvette convertible this past August. Within 3 days of each other.
Before I bought, I asked the Porsche dealer to send me a copy of the title for the car I was buying (which they did by text) and vice versa, the buyer of my corvette asked to see a copy of the title to the car I was selling.
I would never buy a car without seeing the title first. And this week I just saw on the news a warning about buying used cars from individuals--they recommended (here in TX) that before you turn over the money you go with the seller to the Tax Office and confirm the title is legit before handing over/releasing the funds. Evidently there's a rise in counterfeit titles (which the secure titles that have been in use for years no longer stop).
Before I bought, I asked the Porsche dealer to send me a copy of the title for the car I was buying (which they did by text) and vice versa, the buyer of my corvette asked to see a copy of the title to the car I was selling.
I would never buy a car without seeing the title first. And this week I just saw on the news a warning about buying used cars from individuals--they recommended (here in TX) that before you turn over the money you go with the seller to the Tax Office and confirm the title is legit before handing over/releasing the funds. Evidently there's a rise in counterfeit titles (which the secure titles that have been in use for years no longer stop).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 534
From: Upland CA
I posted extensive information on VIN, title, and changing state registration over a year ago. I went through it all when buying my 56 donor car out of state that last had its title transferred in 1985 and was never registered in that state. All was legit and it is now titled and registered in my state.
Unfortunately I can't find those posts because the CF search by user function is down right now. I will post links to those posts as soon as I can find them.
As others have said, no problem sharing an image of the title and/or registration and VIN tag/stamp with a prospective buyer. It is technically public information and can usually be found on the internet with public records search services.
When selling a car, I usually also provide a CarFax, Bumper, VINdata, etc. report if its available (note: most of the data services won't work with a pre-17 digit VIN, the only one I know of that will is VINdata).
Unfortunately I can't find those posts because the CF search by user function is down right now. I will post links to those posts as soon as I can find them.
As others have said, no problem sharing an image of the title and/or registration and VIN tag/stamp with a prospective buyer. It is technically public information and can usually be found on the internet with public records search services.
When selling a car, I usually also provide a CarFax, Bumper, VINdata, etc. report if its available (note: most of the data services won't work with a pre-17 digit VIN, the only one I know of that will is VINdata).
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 192
Likes: 29
They probably want to see that the title is in the name of the seller and not an open title.ie,title was signed by original owner but never put in name of person selling it now therefore avoiding taxes levied when registering.It is known as title jumping.I believe it is illegal in every state but lots of folks and some dealers do it.The “flippers” tend to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Sending Copy Of title
I wouldn't even send an actual paper copy. I would take pictures of the title and serial numbers and send that . That way he can see everything and not just try to alter your copy in some way