I have an opportunity to pick a running 79 with 77000 miles on it that was included in a property sale but the guy that bought the property does not have the title. It was last registered in 1991. Would it be possible to get this registered? The current owner now does not want to bother getting a title for it and is selling it to me as a parts car. I really hate to cut it up as it's complete and was wanting to save it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm heading to the dmv today to see what they say.


Thnx, Ed

 

Just got back from the dmv. They were very helpful, not! Person I talked to had no clue and just kept saying I wouldn't buy it. Any help?


Thnx, Ed

 

Where are you? How bad do you want it? It can be done. The number and difficulty of hoops varies state to state.

I've no experience in such matters, but if I came into a similar situation I'd go talk to somebody with long experience in used cars. Some of those guys know a lot. I'd also familiarize myself with applicable statutes. And go from there.

 

too bad you got a hold of a clerk. there must be some statue of limitations. Ask to elevate to their manager next time.

I had a similiar problem when I transferred title for Louisiana to Texas. The Texas DMV had to get in touch with the Louisiana DMV, after several months of me making weekly telephone calls to the Texas DMV, the final result was that the "title wasn't contested". I finally got a texas title.

You could try a legal aid society.

when you get your solution, use the fact that it doesn't have a title to really low ball the seller.

good luck, hope this helps.

 

I'm in ny state. I just came back from the police station and even they could not tell me anything except that the vin is not on file and not reported stolen. No luck with car fax either or any online vin services because it doesn't have a 17 digit vin.

Thnx, Ed

 

In non car related matters when dealing with state agencies in VA I have had good results by contacting my delegate to the state assembly. Constituent services is a part of what they do, as they are responsible for the tangle of laws.

Be polite and as thorough as possible, may get you the result you desire. And costs nothing but your tax dollars.

 

I don't get why some states require titles for older cars. Here, 85 or older (I think 85) you don't need a title to register a car just a bill of sale.

Having a title is a nice piece of "official" ownership though.

 

there are title companies that can help you out.....or maybe the new homeowner can get the title for you? I would go to the DMV and do a title search. a shop can also put a mechanic's lien for you and get it retitled....you still have quite a bit of options...

Personally, if the car is that clean, I would go with a car titling agency. They will do the bunch of paperwork it requires and go through the headaches for you. Will take about a month to three months but definitely worth the wait....

 

In VA I have retitled two vehicles..

Go to DMV to do title search for last known address of supposedly owner.
Send a certified letter/registered owner about said car in question. It's in your possession now. I believe you have to wait two or three weeks for response or get that letter back because nobody responded.

If things go right, that letter would probably got to that house and will never be responded too. Maybe the owner is deceased or moved and didn't give a crap about the car.

Fill out paperwork, show proof that you have told people the car is up for sale/auction, etc... At least three places you have to display this info... Maybe job, city hall bulletin board, flea market (As long as it's public)

after the no response, fill new request for title and you should get a clean title in your name....depending how long dmv takes...

Here in VA it costs about $100 for all this: $6-8 title search, $25 paperwork, additional $money for paperwork, then new title and taxes....

Titling agency runs between $150-$250 here.....

You choose your way.....

 

Much experience with missing titles here. I can look at the laws for your state and let you know, but here in Colorado:

If the vehicle is 25 years of age or older, there is what is called an In Lieu of Bond Title Application. Here, you have to take the vehicle to VIN Inspection in the county that you are applying, with this completed, you have to file the appropriate forms with the state. In exchange for about 20 dollars, they will tell you the last known address of the last known registered owner. Then, you have to send a certified letter to that address, and await a response. 9/10 times, the owner no longer resides at the address, and the letter is returned as undelivered. Please note that the Named Owner would have to sign for the letter, and it cannot be signed for by anyone else. You would take this, or a letter releasing ownership interest from the last registered party if they do respond, and then again send it off to the state. They will take note that the owner no longer expresses interest in ownership, due to lack of notifying the DMV of an address change, or the letter I mentioned, and transfer ownership to your name. This is a simplified version of the actual events, but its a bit of a guide as to what is required here in Colorado anyways. Let me know if you want further help, I'll see what I can that pertains to New York.

 

im in oregon and i am doing whats stated above im sending my certified letter on monday hoping the process goes smoothly.the dmv was very helpful. my letter contains a title renewal form,bill of sale form and a letter explaining situation requesting corporation also includes a envelope with a stamp and address. make sure you have a return receipt also for the dmv

make sure you get a bill of sale even tho its not the owner it will make the process easier..

good luck

 

I've done a little research for you and this is what I've come up with. Since the car was left on a property, do a New York form MV-15 to request a "VEHICLE REGISTRATION/TITLE APPLICATION Photocopy" http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv15.pdf.

With this information you might be able to find the titled owner. If you can, you might get them to sign a power of attorney that would allow you to apply for a title. Heck, you might get lucky and they still have the title and they sign it over to you.

If this don't work, do a "Notice of Lien and Sale" http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv901a.pdf. You will also want to do a lien search. If there are other liens you could have issues. If you ever want to title this vehicle, DO NOT do an abandoned vehicle claim. Once this is done, the vehicle can never be titled. It can only be scraped. Once all this is done, then you can get a title in your name.

I've done something similar in the state of Missouri. I was lucky enough to find the owner and he signed a power of attorney so I could get a title.

 

Ooo, came across this thread, and it reminded me I've got a parts SE with no title in PA that I'd reallly like to get one for. It was abandoned on some guys property in 1991 after a joint business venture went bad...I bought it ~2008 just for the unripped leather seats. Have since used ALOT of parts off of it for my DD SE, and have noticed that underneath, it's the most perfect FB body I've ever seen here in the NE...I'd love to build a car out of it someday, but don't know how to get a proper title. Thing is, I found an old golf club pass with a name, and an old insurance card with same name and address. I've been aprehensive to contact him, obviously he doensn't care about the car anymore(I hope) but what do I need to approach him with?

 

no title ... can usually put a proper lien on the vehicle and fix that