clean title
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
There can also be horrible consequences with not up to date titles.
The sellers will "sign-off" on the title but the buyer never has it turned over to his / her name. Sometimes buyers will do that to avoid sales tax and title transfer fees.
This could go on for months even though there is usually a penalty for doing so.
These type of buyers turn cars over so fast that in some states they are required to have a Dealer's License. But most won't.
In some states you are only allowed to sell so many vehicles per year without a dealer's license.
There is a term for people that hang on to titles, never transfer and resell the car. It's called Title Jumping".
As you can see, you may buy a car, get the title from the seller, but it's still in another seller's name. You have to track down that third person and force them to sign-over.
I would steer clear, if not a clean title.
The sellers will "sign-off" on the title but the buyer never has it turned over to his / her name. Sometimes buyers will do that to avoid sales tax and title transfer fees.
This could go on for months even though there is usually a penalty for doing so.
These type of buyers turn cars over so fast that in some states they are required to have a Dealer's License. But most won't.
In some states you are only allowed to sell so many vehicles per year without a dealer's license.
There is a term for people that hang on to titles, never transfer and resell the car. It's called Title Jumping".
As you can see, you may buy a car, get the title from the seller, but it's still in another seller's name. You have to track down that third person and force them to sign-over.
I would steer clear, if not a clean title.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,150
Likes: 4,260
From: US-PNW
I hadn't privately sold a vehicle in decades and was surprised that, when my daughter sold my old pickup across the country a few months back, Oregon allows the seller to submit documentation of the sale's particulars (VIN, Title #, date of sale, purchaser name and address) with DMV. I felt relieved that at least I was able to provide a notice that I was no longer the owner, no matter what the purchaser did with re-titling the truck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,997
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
It pays to look closely at a title before you buy, too.
MANY years ago I made a deal with a guy who presented like he was just selling his car, and at the point of transfer I noticed his title was in the name of the guy’s business, which suddenly changed the tax calculation from the small amount found on the “sales by an individual” chart to full retail tax charged as a commercial sale. A difference of several hundred dollars.
Resulting conversation went poorly.
Discovering that “skipped title” status is a bad day too. Tax cheats are everywhere.
MANY years ago I made a deal with a guy who presented like he was just selling his car, and at the point of transfer I noticed his title was in the name of the guy’s business, which suddenly changed the tax calculation from the small amount found on the “sales by an individual” chart to full retail tax charged as a commercial sale. A difference of several hundred dollars.
Resulting conversation went poorly.
Discovering that “skipped title” status is a bad day too. Tax cheats are everywhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 1,825
From: Apple Valley, MN
In addition to/reinforcement of the other responses, one where the buyer: 1) has done their full due diligence (full meaning the VIN tag and trim tag are unaltered, the frame stamping matches, a comprehensive search was accomplished and no evidence of the car reported stolen or having received a salvage title or appearing as being owned in another state (in addition to the one being represented) 2) has validated that the issuing state currently recognizes the car and owner is what the title states, 3) is fully aware of the tricks and traps disreputable people can foist upon you and has concluded all is in order. Only then would I consider it a “clean”title.
Too many crooks in the world today. Caveat emptor.
Too many crooks in the world today. Caveat emptor.
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