Title Issues/Fraud
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Title Issues/Fraud
When researching to buy a corvette, what are some of the issues to look out for regardnig the title? What should one do as homework?
I have heard that one needs to do a title check? What is that? Is it as simple as calling the license branch and asking if the title is clean?
What fraud potential is out there?
What if the car has had many owners from many states?
I have heard of title washing..How does a current owner protect himself from something that might have been done 5 owners ago when trying to sell?
I have heard that one needs to do a title check? What is that? Is it as simple as calling the license branch and asking if the title is clean?
What fraud potential is out there?
What if the car has had many owners from many states?
I have heard of title washing..How does a current owner protect himself from something that might have been done 5 owners ago when trying to sell?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Just get the VIN number on the car and call the State Police in your area or BMV to see if that number is "good" (not listed as stolen, scrapped or destroyed). Then ask the seller if he/she has clear title and that it is in their name. If they have the title, but the owner is listed as something else (business, another person, etc.) or the title is listed as "salvage", you need to dig in deeper before you buy. The value of the car can be significantly affected by non-standard designations on the title. Also be wary of a title with even a single digit that is different from the VIN on the car....YOU NEED TO PERSONNALY LOOK AT BOTH to compare them....the License Branch will not accept it if they are different.
