Hayes69

The seller has documentation from New Hampshire where he bought the vehicle title exempt - due to age. This sounds legit. He bought the vehicle several years ago. He is in California. He never got it titled in California. Is this something I should worry about? What documentation would I need in this case to officially transfer ownership?

ddawson

Can't comment on NH but CA titles all cars.

If he has no title "ownership" proof or records of purchase CA won't give them a title and can't legally drive it in CA.

What does your state require to register?

Z06LMB

Better yet, what does it take to get an official paper title? I wouldn't buy anything beyond a parts cart if there wasn't a title.

Hayes69

Says he has stored the car since he bought it.

slhawkins

Does the paperwork have the previous owner's info on it?

If you have AAA, and depending on where you live, they can help you out with registering a car so you don't have to deal with the DMV. If you don't have AAA and are seriously thinking about purchasing the car, it might be best to get it and then give them a call. They will work out a lack of title issue to their best extent possible and save you some trouble with the DMV.

Otherwise, it really just depends on where you live. New Hampshire doesn't title vehicles over 15 years old. Some states (or just some DMV's) take your word and a bill of sale to call it good enough. Others like California tend to be a bit more strict - and that's why he probably never registered it out there (which is also against their rules/regulations).

Definitely call the DMV or AAA before you purchase it though. They will tell you exactly what is needed and what hoops you'll have to go through.

Oh, and a ~$25 Carfax will tell you when and where it was previously registered. Definitely worth a check to backup the story.

Easy Mike

I would think so. Does your state require a title? If so, what will you need to title the car if you buy it?

tokim

This question should be asked of the DMV in "your" state.

trukatedave

In Maine the bill of sale is all that's needed to register. New Hampshire is next door. If you have to obtain a title perhaps the owner can get one from N.H. I know in Maine they're not required but if you pay the fee I believe you can get a title it requires a search that can take awhile.

bigredbrad

carfax doesnt do anything with non 17 digit VIN numbers.


bigredbrad

Mr D.

I'm in Al a non title state for 1975 and older. All I need is a bil of sale.

Best to check with your state DMV as to what they need to title the car.

blue by you

I bought mine from a guy in ny they also do not have titles for older cars just a signed registation, took that to nj dmv and now i have a title no problem, but like everyone knows ea state is different

71 Vert LS1

In MN you would have no chance of getting a title. I would never pay any kind money for a bill of sale.

bj1k

What state are you in ? If it is Pa. expect to have trouble with this situation . We are a title state and they usually require a title to be signed in front of a notary to receive a new title . They will except a past registration card and a bill of sale from a no title state such as New York . I have bought cars from there with no problems but in your situation I would contact your DMV with any question before you buy.

Hayes69

Does that mean you wouldn't buy one from one of those states?

Hayes69

Thanks. I think I will.

chstitans42

Carfax will only work on 1981 and newer Corvettes. IF the car is within those 2 years, I doubt it will tell much, back then the reporting and computer systems were very basic. Also, Carfax are around $40 now. Most of the time not worth the $ you spend on them.

slhawkins

Yeah I wouldn't use it for a history check back to the 80's, but it would help to verify the last known location assuming the previous owner purchased it sometime in the last 20 years. Without a title that's the only way I would even begin to go about it. Since the seller didn't get the title put in his name there's nothing more than some paperwork making him the owner. For all anyone knows the previous owner is still getting registration notices and keeping it updated. A $40 Carfax (or $25 AutoCheck) may at least give you that. As you and someone else said though, it won't work on anything older than 81.

For further piece of mind, a free check to make sure it wasn't reported stolen can be done here:

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck

I believe it works on all VINs, not just 1981+.

I know some people (especially from the more difficult states) don't like the idea of purchasing a car without a title. But with a little homework it can be an easy enough process and get you what you want - and maybe at a better price. Just protect yourself the best you can by doing research.

7T1vette

If I didn't live in NH and couldn't verify everything was on the up-&-up, I would take a pass on that car. You may be a bigger 'risk-taker' than I am.

chstitans42

Sadly it does not. 1981 was the first year of 17 digit vin numbers. If you try a number from an earlier car, which are 13 digits, the website will tell you that there aren't enough digits. I think it has to do with there were no electronic records of any substance prior to the 1980s

slhawkins

Not the Carfax site, the fraud site. It'll check theft and total loss records. I just tried it on a 1972 C3 VIN. :-)

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck