Cars that say "No title"

[TechnoLoGs]

Why would some cars have "no title," what possibly could that mean, assuming there is some kind of legitimate reason for no title?

Saw a car from NY today, listing said "bad title" (title appeared to have the word Liens marked on it)
This one says NO title, and boy is it a beaute. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3742312027.html

?


And, correct me if I am wrong, but buying a car with a clean title out of a scrapyard and donating VIN is illegal and detectable, right?

 

[Kruse]

It could be several reasons, but in this case it probably has a bank lien on it, but the value is small enough that the bank won't try to recover it.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
It could be several reasons, but in this case it probably has a bank lien on it, but the value is small enough that the bank won't try to recover it.


Hmmm, sounds viable. What would that mean to the potential buyer?

They would never be able to get it in their name, correct? or, would they have to do a LOT of legwork and HOPE that someone OKs the transfer?

 

[Azeem]

Whatever the answers,which are going to educate me, will be, I just cruise away.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs

Hmmm, sounds viable. What would that mean to the potential buyer?



Usually, it means you are buying a parts car.

 

[Rolla07]

you plan on swapping out the head gasket?

 

[Darren270]

I own a car that I purchased used at dealership while stationed in Texas. My car payments were automatically taken out of my paycheck each month so I never had any real contact with the finance company. Being in the military, I moved around a lot so once it was paid off I never received the actual title from the finance company. I'm assuming because they had no idea of my current address and since I was overseas at the time that I finished paying it off, I didn't really concern myself with it. My registration slip states "No Title Issued".

Its never been an issue and the DMV has never seemed to care to about it either each year when I renew the tags.

 

[BigCahuna]

In new Jersey no title = parts car. You can't just go down to DMV and tell them a story then they issue you a title. How would you know the guy selling it is the rightful owner? To risky for my $$$.,,

 

[Spazdog]

In some states you can apply for a bonded title. It's not really a title and if the car is stolen you lose the money on your bonded title and the car.

It's like $300 here, but you are really assuming all the risks.

To me personally, it's not worth it. If they were the registered owner, they should be able to get the title.

 

[needsducktape]

Walk away.

It makes no difference if it was stolen or not, if the owner wanted to sell it, he would get the title.

Something is being hidden.

 

[TFB1]

They're all sorts of ways to get a title, but if it has a lien or was registered to someone in the US armed services you can just about forget getting one... It's ironclad true on the 2nd example, I know someone who was a car that was left at his shop by a service man and he can't get a title, sometimes a bank will work with you... Otherwise a mechanics or storage lien will net a title...

In VA you can apply for a title if the vehicle has been abandoned on your property without your authorization for more than 48 Hrs(Va gives example if you neighbor refuses to move his vehicle from your yard)...

 

[hattaresguy]

Run, its nothing but problems.

 

[Propflux01]

Run, Forest! Run!

 

[L_Sludger]

No title means that joo can get a title in Tijuana, ese! No problemo holmes!

 

[morepwr]

The only time I have seen a no title situation it was on an old car. And by old I mean 1940's to 50's. Some states dont require a title on the old cars. I have bought a 49 Oldsmobile that had no title but had license plates and the DMV ran the plates and then I had to have the VIN number inspected by the highway patrol before the DMV would issue me a title. Its kind of a hassle but thats the sort of things you do when you mess with classic cars like I do.

I have NEVER heard of something like this on a modern car such as the 98 in that ad and I would walk away and not look back! Something is very wrong with that story!

 

[Ben Boyle]

If the car is at least 15 years old you can register it in Vermont on a bill of sale even without being a Vermont resident. You can then use this registration to transfer to your home state. Google my name and vermont and the first link will show you how.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Many states (including mine) do not title older cars. Iirc, the cutoff here is 15 years.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Ben Boyle
If the car is at least 15 years old you can register it in Vermont on a bill of sale even without being a Vermont resident. You can then use this registration to transfer to your home state. Google my name and vermont and the first link will show you how.


Yup. Maine will do it on a pre 1995 without any VIN verification. Other states make you run it by the police or an inspection station. Broadway Title and other companies that get "barn finds" legal register unseen cars in Maine then a Maine reg translates into a home state title for the lucky chap.

Seems to be a New England thing, we figure after 15+ years it's rusted to the point of little value anyway.

Be careful, however, that there aren't outstanding liens. It could plausibly make trouble, my DMV automatically runs a stolen vehicle check when registering even an old, untitled vehicle. One could register it once then when the lien catches up, be unable to renew.

I wonder what would happen if a Massachusetts buy here pay here lot tried to enforce a lien on a 20 year old clunker that wound up here. What court would have jurisdiction, who would serve the papers? They would have assumed registration was impossible without a title and plausibly not gone further with their end of legal paperwork.

 

[joaks]

I'm no help with the title but the car looks a lot like mine and is a steal! No pun intended.