How bad does no title hurt value?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
How bad does no title hurt value?
For what I'm researching lets call it a parts car project 
I am aware in some states you can get a title or a car so many years old doesn't need a title in your state, but if that applies to your figure point that out...
Tell me how much you would knock off the price if the project had no title.
For example the project is asking 15K with title how much would you knock off with no title?
Would you cut the price the same no matter what year the c3 was?
Many thanks!
I am aware in some states you can get a title or a car so many years old doesn't need a title in your state, but if that applies to your figure point that out...
Tell me how much you would knock off the price if the project had no title.
For example the project is asking 15K with title how much would you knock off with no title?
Would you cut the price the same no matter what year the c3 was?
Many thanks!
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 17, 2015 at 10:47 PM.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Bats.....in Louisiana the laws have been changed and the car is only worth the parts (even if it is roadworthy)....$15,000=$2,000 in Louisiana.
I wouldn't be able to insure or drive it.
I could spend a year getting affidavits from all the documented previous owners....but that would only get me a "Reconstructed-Vehicle State Title" which is about useless because the car would be titled as "Reconstructed Vehicle" NOT as a (C3) Corvette! And it would have to meet 2015 vehicle safety and emissions standards.
That's what I went through to title my custom motorcycle that I built from used classic Harley parts (it would have been the same story even if ALL the parts were brand new)....even though I had receipts/affidavits for EVERY item/State Police statement that the parts were not stolen....The state issued a "State Reconstructed Title" (NOT a Harley Davidson title).
I wouldn't be able to insure or drive it.
I could spend a year getting affidavits from all the documented previous owners....but that would only get me a "Reconstructed-Vehicle State Title" which is about useless because the car would be titled as "Reconstructed Vehicle" NOT as a (C3) Corvette! And it would have to meet 2015 vehicle safety and emissions standards.
That's what I went through to title my custom motorcycle that I built from used classic Harley parts (it would have been the same story even if ALL the parts were brand new)....even though I had receipts/affidavits for EVERY item/State Police statement that the parts were not stolen....The state issued a "State Reconstructed Title" (NOT a Harley Davidson title).
Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 17, 2015 at 11:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Bats.....in Louisiana the laws have been changed and the car is only worth the parts (even if it is roadworthy)....$15,000=$2,000 in Louisiana.
I wouldn't be able to insure or drive it.
I could spend a year getting affidavits from all the documented previous owners....but that would only get me a "Reconstructed-Vehicle State Title" which is about useless because the car would be titled as "Reconstructed Vehicle" NOT as a (C3) Corvette! And it would have to meet 2015 vehicle safety and emissions standards.
That's what I went through to title my custom motorcycle that I built from used classic Harley parts (it would have been the same story even if ALL the parts were brand new)....even though I had receipts/affidavits for EVERY item/State Police statement that the parts were not stolen....The state issued a "State Reconstructed Title" (NOT a Harley Davidson title).
I wouldn't be able to insure or drive it.
I could spend a year getting affidavits from all the documented previous owners....but that would only get me a "Reconstructed-Vehicle State Title" which is about useless because the car would be titled as "Reconstructed Vehicle" NOT as a (C3) Corvette! And it would have to meet 2015 vehicle safety and emissions standards.
That's what I went through to title my custom motorcycle that I built from used classic Harley parts (it would have been the same story even if ALL the parts were brand new)....even though I had receipts/affidavits for EVERY item/State Police statement that the parts were not stolen....The state issued a "State Reconstructed Title" (NOT a Harley Davidson title).
Really in La no title would make a 15K car only worth 2K
I am in the same boat in fl I could never title it, period,
I will hit you an email....
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
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From: Texas-out west
I wouldn't buy anything that didn't have a title, even for a parts car.....might come back to bite you. might be stolen car and when discovered you are on the hook to someone for money or worse...jail....your choice do what you feel, but me no way in hell.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
I agree..simply not worth it.
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My luck I go to title it, it turns up stolen and they take the car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,437
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
I would think that it would vary, on a state-to-state basis. For instance, in NY, titles weren't issued to cars until sometime in the mid-late 70s. The registration and/or bill of sale was all that was needed to sell/register a car.
I bought 3 cars, 2 of them brand new, before ever seeing a title, which was issued to me for the 4th car I owned......
I bought 3 cars, 2 of them brand new, before ever seeing a title, which was issued to me for the 4th car I owned......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 15
From: Mobile Alabama
It depends on your location. My 74 has never had a title. Alabama didn't title vehicles until 1975. And now they will not title anything older than 35 years. So - if I bought a vehicle older than 35 years out of state with a title, Alabama would not generate a new title in my name. I would only have a bill-of-sale.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
FWIW: From the CT DMV web site, question and answer section regarding titles...
I have purchased an older vehicle in Connecticut, but the seller does not have a title. He says that the vehicle does not require a title. How do I register the vehicle?
The State of Connecticut no longer requires title certificates for vehicles that are older than 20 model years. In order for you to register the vehicle, you must have a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (form Q-1) and a copy of the last registration certificate. You must show continuity of ownership from the last registered owner to you.
It appears CT will not issue a duplicate title for a car more than 20 years old.
I'd say the importance of the title depends on the state you wish to register the car in. From what I've heard it sounds like a car coming from a state which does not issue a title is worthless in a state which will not register without a title.
Too bad there isn't a uniform set of laws across states to avoid this...
I have purchased an older vehicle in Connecticut, but the seller does not have a title. He says that the vehicle does not require a title. How do I register the vehicle?
The State of Connecticut no longer requires title certificates for vehicles that are older than 20 model years. In order for you to register the vehicle, you must have a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (form Q-1) and a copy of the last registration certificate. You must show continuity of ownership from the last registered owner to you.
It appears CT will not issue a duplicate title for a car more than 20 years old.
I'd say the importance of the title depends on the state you wish to register the car in. From what I've heard it sounds like a car coming from a state which does not issue a title is worthless in a state which will not register without a title.
Too bad there isn't a uniform set of laws across states to avoid this...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 88
From: Easton Pennsylvania
Here in Pa. As far as I know, Every car has to have one. And if you buy one with a salvage title. The whole process is long and expensive. Last year I almost bought a 93 Nissan 300z that came out of Cali with less than 50,000 miles. the car was a stunner. But after talking to the DMV and my insurance guy I decided that even if I keep the car long term ( as I would have), And it became a classic, I still would never see the cars true value because of the title history. It was a theft recovery with a reconstructed title from New York. It killed me to pass it up since it was such a nice car. Even a parts car with no title can be a problem. When it comes time to scrap what is left of the car after you strip it, You may encounter a problem finding a place that will take it for scrap without the title.
Last edited by persuader; Feb 18, 2015 at 11:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
As others have said, it varies state by state.
I bought and old VW project car (Bradely GT) with no title or registration, bill of sale only. (NY doesnt issue titles for anything older than 73) The amount of paperwork I had to go through was staggering, to include lots of signatures from the previous owner. (Which would have been impossible, as I spent all winter working on the car and NO way would the guy have met up with me 8 months later to fill out DMV forms) I eventually sold the car out of state.
My .02....no title cars are parts donors, nothing more.
I bought and old VW project car (Bradely GT) with no title or registration, bill of sale only. (NY doesnt issue titles for anything older than 73) The amount of paperwork I had to go through was staggering, to include lots of signatures from the previous owner. (Which would have been impossible, as I spent all winter working on the car and NO way would the guy have met up with me 8 months later to fill out DMV forms) I eventually sold the car out of state.
My .02....no title cars are parts donors, nothing more.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
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From: NorCal
A car without title is worthless IMHO. I know, my '88 GTA racecar has no title and it's only value is the drivetrain and the race package as a whole. The actual car has no value. It has CA plates, and I guess I could go through endless pain and suffering to obtain title, but why bother? It will never be restored to smog legal status, and it's only value to me is as a haul **s racer, nothing more.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
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From: NorCal
One more thing. Here in Cali, if you want to scrap a car with no title, it need to be cut up into 4 or more pieces before a recycler will take it. I had to do this with an old Subaru that I had for parts. It was kinda' fun! It only takes a minute with a gas powered chop saw!
Hans
Hans
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: NorCal
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Last edited by Wrencher; Feb 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM.