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Sep 12, 2006 | 05:24 PM

ZO6sicks

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Title question

Is it still possible to have a car that was totaled in another state retitled clear? Example A car is totaled in NY shipped to PA redone and given a clear title. I konw this WAS possible 10 years ago. And would a carfax pick it up???

Sep 12, 2006 | 05:28 PM

jrose7004

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From: Oklahoma City OK

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I think that might be known as fraud!

Sep 12, 2006 | 05:31 PM

itlfly

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From: Jackson Mississippi

They call it title washing, and yes it can be done. There was a bill in congress recently to tighten up the loopholes that allowed it, but i'm not sure if it passed or not.

Sep 12, 2006 | 11:10 PM

eddie44

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From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ

St. Jude Donor '03

Yes it's still a possibility. The chances of getting caught and charged criminally have increased dramatically in the last 10 yrs but it can still be done. Never count on CarFax cause you'll be sorely disappointed. The only way that it shows up on CarFax is if DMV or the bodyshop reports it. I have an 02 that had almost $20k in damage but has a clear CarFax a year later. I think it ought to be fraud for them to sell a bogus service and bill it as the gospel.

Sep 12, 2006 | 11:11 PM

az57chevy

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From: Tempe AZ

yes it can be still done but think your two states wouldn't precisely work as indicated

Sep 13, 2006 | 12:29 PM

jangelo

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From: Penna.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZO6sicks

Yes, it is possible. I know an individual this happened to. He purchased the vehicle from a dealer in VIR. with a clear title. He has since tried to sell the vehicle at auction and it turned up that the vehicle was totaled in another state, sold as salvage, purchased re-built and sold in Vir. Car fax never reveled this problem. At present, the case is in the hands of the legal system. I guess you can never be too careful when you do not know who you are dealing with. There are many out there to take advantage of you. Remember, "EXPERIENCE IS THE WORST TEACHER; IT GIVES THE TEST BEFORE PRESENTING THE LESSON."

Sep 15, 2006 | 11:34 AM

ZO6sicks

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Let this be a "heads up" to all. I looked very close at the bolts, paintwork and fitment of all panels prior to buying. If you really look you CAN tell if it was in an accident. I notice the front nose panel looked to nice. Odds are it was repainted due to stone chips. The rest of the car "checked out".

Sep 15, 2006 | 01:27 PM

2kbluestreak

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Joined: Aug 2000

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From: Morganton, NC, USA

On the other side, a couple guys have posted over the years that their undamaged, one-owner cars have showed up on Carfax as being "wrecked" when a potential buyer did an inquiry. Contacting Carfax to get them to correct their report was fruitless. So, the question has to asked, "Do you trust Carfax"?