I understand what a title is in the U.S., but how do you lose one? Why do some vehicles not come with one? Can you get one somehow? Im looking at a vette, but owner states "lost title". I need a title and bill of sale to get it across the border. What can I do???
Thanx :cheers:

 

He needs to apply for a replacment title.. its an easy trip down to his DMV and about 6-8 weeks of waiting for the DMV to send it to you (depending on the state). If he says he can't do that its an indicator something is fishy with the car.. and I would steer clear of it.

 

"Lost title" should mean, misplaced. I have moved 4 times since I bought my Corvette 18 years ago, and I'm not sure if I can locate mine. Lost, could mean confiscated or forfeited as in failure to make loan payments. If it is truly, simply, misplaced, the legitimate owner should be able to apply to the state (or issuing governmental entity) for a "duplicate title". They ALL do. *I* am not aware of ANY car sold in the US that was not originally issued a title. Don't fork over a nickle without seeing the title or have a written contract for one.

RACE ON!!!


[Modified by CFI-EFI, 9:08 AM 4/29/2004]

 

Lost title means the same thing as, "I just had two beers", or "I've been clean for two weeks", or "That's not my backpack", or "Of course I have insurance"

It means: I am a dirtbag, please buy this stolen car from me.

-Z

 

Ask the owner for the VIN. If it's not the older shorter VIN, it would be wise to run a car-fax on it and see where it's been. I know some States won't issue a title for pre-74 cars if for instance you moved there from another State.

 

The owner can easily get a replacement or duplicate title by going to the DMV of the state where the car is licensed. If he waffles on getting a title or refuses to provide it then RUN, don't walk, away!! The certificate of title is proof of legal ownership.

If the seller is still making loan payments on the car where the car is collateral, the legal owner will be the note owner such as a bank or loan company. He will have to pay off the loan and the note owner will transfer the title to his name, then he can release his interest to you. You cannot take legal ownership unless he gets clear title to the car.

 

What year is the car? I know real old cars don't have titles. They were not issued. I will try and look up the information and give you the year they stated issuing titles.

 

It certainly COULD mean just that. Especially on an international sale.

In some areas, the title can be in the name of the owner (buyer) but have a lien recorded (written on the face of the title) in favor of the lender. This lien must be signed off by the lender in order for the title to be transfered to a new owner. Oft times when there is a loan against a car, the buyer must accompany the seller to the lender, in order for the lender to get paid and sign off on the title. Good luck, and...

RACE ON!!!

 

The car is a 86....here is the vin
1G1YY0788G5120819
can someone run a carfax for me?
Thanx

 

Carfax says the car is "clean". No accidents, etc. Was issued a title by California DMV on 6/3/02 at 128,023 miles.

 

To the original poster (Jinxie):

With the above in mind, the next move for you would be to tell the seller "If you cant produce a legitimate title upon my purchase of the vehicle, there will be no sale". He could be trying to sell it while it has a lein on it, which would explain his not able to obtain a title. At any time the original lein holder can come to your house and take your car no questions asked, leaving you "holding the bag."


[Modified by Chevy Guy, 8:32 PM 4/29/2004]

 

A lost title can mean a lot of different things as previously stated. In Tennessee if the title has been lost (missplaced, destroyed by fire, or something similar) only the person to whom the car is titled can get a replacement title. If you buy a vehicle here on a bill of sale and do not get a title, you are screwed and all you have is a parts car. Check with the DMV for the state where the car is located and see what their laws allow.

 

If the CarFax is clean and he is the real owner then should just require a trip to the DMV. In Ohio I lost my title, just had to bring my latest registration and ID and was able to get a new title printed out that day. No big deal.
Makes me wonder if something else isn't fishy with the whole thing. Any seller with half a brain would have gotten a new copy of the title before even trying to sell.

 

Jinxie

I work for Cali DMV as an auditor.

If the title was issued in Cali two years ago (carfax data) then the title isn't lost.

It may be that the owner got a loan on the car (collateral note maybe) and he hasn't gotten it back, that's because the car isn't his.

I've had DMV get me titles for cars made prior to the end of WW2, and no vette is that old, so you should be able to get one.

The question you should have is... is it a clean title, and is it in the name of the guy selling it to you. And in NO case give ANY money until you are sure there is a good and clear title to the vehicle. Otherwise... as some of my learned friends here have correctly stated, you will see it driven away someday by a towtruck, and there won't be a thing you can do to stop them.

Good luck up in the great white north