Out of state car title question

[204 Escape]

I have found a couple of trucks being sold by private sellers.

"IF" I was to go to buy one, how can I protect myself from not getting a clear title? I mean how can I tell that the title is clear, etc. ?

Thanx

 

[colbyt]

Re: Out of state car title question

In Kentucky all liens show on the title that a buyer must assign to you in order for you to get a new title in your state or the same state. I would assume, but would verify, that applies to all states. If you are looking within your own state a quick call to your DMV or county clerk should answer that question.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Out of state car title question

Some basics, and certainly not the definitive list, but...

Get the title to look at. No Title No Deal, I would stop looking at it at that point until they get the title.
On the front it should be assigned to the person that is selling the vehicle unless it is a dealer.
On the back, probably, will be the section for a lienholder. If it is filled out then the seller has to provide a separate lien release document that the seller should have sent in to get a new title showing no liens. If you have the documentation then you MAY be able to do this yourself when you apply. The lienholder section may show a signature for releasing and a Notary stamp, this is on older titles there in Kansas.

Now, having typed all that in, your first step should be a call to the local County tag/title office and ask them your questions.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Out of state car title question

O.K., thanx for the response. I will call the local county tag/title office. AND read the title. I just didn't know if there was any "special" things that I needed to do, or watch oout for.


Thanx

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Out of state car title question

Two things not mentioned, on the front of the title look under "legends". If less then 10 yrs. old it will say actual mileage or not actual mileage. Also if it has been declared a total loss it will say rebuilt, flood damage, etc.

The mileage declaration is a federal law, ie all 50 states. The rebuilt, flood is in most states if not all now.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Out of state car title question

Two things not mentioned, on the front of the title look under "legends". If less then 10 yrs. old it will say actual mileage or not actual mileage. Also if it has been declared a total loss it will say rebuilt, flood damage, etc.

The mileage declaration is a federal law, ie all 50 states. The rebuilt, flood is in most states if not all now.

Except that the salvage designation sometimes gets removed when the vehicle is subsequently titled in a different state. I've got one jeep that had a MI salvage title and now has a clear MN title. How it happened, I don't know - don't really care in this case but it shows up on a carfax.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Out of state car title question

Except that the salvage designation sometimes gets removed when the vehicle is subsequently titled in a different state. I've got one jeep that had a MI salvage title and now has a clear MN title. How it happened, I don't know - don't really care in this case but it shows up on a carfax.

I had something similar to that happen to me. In 1996 I bought a 1994 Suburban from a dealer in Oregon. I live in Washington State. The Suburban was a 'Program' car. That meant 'lemon law' car. In most states that would have required a branded title but at that time Oregon did not brand their titles, at least for Lemon Law purposes. The State Attorney General had notified all dealers that it was their responsibility to document that fact on the sales contract. The dealer I bought from did so include that notice on my contract.

Now I bring it into Washington. At that time it was required that you have the vehicle inspected by the local county sheriff. (not anymore) The Sheriff asked to see my contract. He stated "you do know that this is a lemon law car?" I answered affirmative. He then proceeded to fill out the form that I would then present to the local licensing agent.

The licensing agent looked at the Sheriff's form, asked to see my contract, then told me that my new vehicle was a Program Car but because the Sheriff did not list it on his form she would not note it on the title. I promptly went home and peeled the lemon law sticker off the door jamb. It is true, however that the Lemon Law status will still show up on a carfax.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Out of state car title question

WOW, G O O D information to have !!! Thanx !!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Out of state car title question

If you have to drive very far to inspect the car, I'd first have the owner fax a copy of the title--front and back. And when you get there, compare the serial # on the title to the one thru the windshield. There should be a sticker on the door post with the serial. If it's a pickup truck, a serial # can be seen down below--on the frame below the engine. Beware of a title if it's just a few weeks old.

Boomyal: Do you really think a "Lemon Law" buyback sold as a Program Car? NO! Program cars are most often company cars driven from dealer to dealer by auto co. employees. Auto co.'s also lease cars to employees of higher pay grades, and Program Cars will include these. Auto companies play sales games when it comes to reporting sales. They'll report company cars as a sale when they go into service--when they still actually own them. These cars are sold only to franchised dealers at closed auto auctions.

After working for a major auto manufacturer for 24 years, I've probably had 75 company cars. When certain model sales were slow, we'd keep cars 2K miles and they'd send us the slow sellers. We'd also get our fair share of luxury cars. After all, auto manufacturers cannot keep their cost of goods sold down unless their factories are running at close to full speed. Prices are usually pretty fair on Program Cars, and they're really a good buy in a used car.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Out of state car title question

I

Boomyal: ...... Do you really think a "Lemon Law" buyback sold as a Program Car? NO! Program cars are most often company cars driven from dealer to dealer by auto co. employees. Auto co.'s also lease cars to employees of higher pay grades, and Program Cars will include these. Auto companies play sales games when it comes to reporting sales. They'll report company cars as a sale when they go into service--when they still actually own them. These cars are sold only to franchised dealers at closed auto auctions.....

Although I have not heard that term used in recent times, back then Lemon Law cars were included in that category. They were cars, for whatever reason, were put into the wholesale dealer market allowing dealers from all over to bid on them. They were NOT just cars that were generated at a particular dealer the put up for sale by that dealer. My particular Suburban came from California where it was turned in under the Lemon Car Law.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Out of state car title question

DO THIS FIRST Get the VIN # from owner and then....https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck
If that checks out go with the the owner to HIS local tag/title/registration office and complete the transaction there. They should advise and give you the paperwork that you need to complete the transaction when you get home and go to your title office.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Out of state car title question

The seller will not have a title if there is an active lien. Taxes due could be another issue, but I'm sure there are about 50 different problems there. Visit a dealer in that state and ask then how to guard against getting hosed ...

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Out of state car title question

Titles are so easy to get from the Michigan Secretary of State...they might as well run commercials with "no title? No problem! Bring in whatever receipt you whip up quick on a post it note or a cocktail napkin and we'll have in the mail to you in 10 minutes GUARANTEED!"

My LeSabre didn't have a title...New Hampshire, where it came from, doesn't require them for vehicles over 10 years old. No issue at all at the SOS, aside from having a police officer verify the VIN